Immune interaction between respiratory syncytial virus infection and allergen sensitization critically depends on timing of challenges.
Severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection has been hypothesized to be a risk factor for the development of allergy and asthma, but epidemiologic studies in humans have been inconclusive. By use of a well-characterized murine model of RSV infection and allergic sensitization with ovalbumin, the effect of a preceding severe RSV infection on the development of the pulmonary allergic inflammatory response and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) was tested. The impact of prior allergic sensitization on RSV-induced illness, as measured by weight loss, also was evaluated. RSV infection before allergic sensitization decreased allergen-induced AHR, production of interleukin-13 in lung tissue, and lung eosinophilia. In contrast, allergic sensitization before RSV infection increased AHR and decreased RSV-related weight loss and lung levels of interferon-gamma but did not alter viral clearance. These data provide evidence that RSV-associated AHR occurs in hosts with allergic responses and that allergic inflammation is diminished when preceded by RSV infection.
Peebles
R S
RS
Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Hashimoto
K
K
Collins
R D
RD
Jarzecka
K
K
Furlong
J
J
Mitchell
D B
DB
Sheller
J R
JR
Graham
B S
BS
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology; D016085:Bronchoconstrictor Agents; D005260:Female; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology*; D011657:Pulmonary Eosinophilia / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000254:growth & development; D013997:Time Factors; D014779:Virus Replication; D015431:Weight Loss
D000485:Allergens; D016085:Bronchoconstrictor Agents; D018793:Interleukin-13; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D010047:Ovalbumin