HLA-restricted CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte, interferon-gamma, and interleukin-4 responses to respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants and children.
CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and interleukin (IL)-4 production were evaluated in a blinded manner among respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-infected newborns and their mothers for 3 epidemic seasons. Most mothers (80%) exhibited RSV-specific CD8+ CTL activity. Twenty (80%) of the 26 infants exhibited significant RSV-specific CTL activity during or after their first RSV season. CTL frequency increased with RSV infection rate, reaching 75% by the end of the third season. Most infants who shed virus (75%) had a medically attended lower respiratory tract disease (LRD). In the first year, RSV-infected infants (virus culture and antibody increase) were more likely to develop CTL activity (10 of 13) than were uninfected infants (1 of 5; P=.02). Infants with CTL activity in the first year were less likely to have an LRD in the second year. CD8+ CTL levels correlated positively with IFN-gamma (P<.001) and inversely with IL-4 (P=.03). Contribution of CD8+ CTL and IFN-gamma in the control of RSV disease in infants and children is implicated.
Mbawuike
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Influenza Research Center, Respiratory Pathogens Research Unit, Dept. of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. mbawuike@bcm.tmc.edu
Wells
J
J
Byrd
R
R
Cron
S G
SG
Glezen
W P
WP
Piedra
P A
PA
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D018113:Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D012621:Seasons; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma