Sustained increases in numbers of pulmonary dendritic cells after respiratory syncytial virus infection.
BACKGROUND
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis in infants can lead to wheezing and early allergic sensitization. In mice, RSV infection enhances allergic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. Dendritic cells are critical in inducing T-cell responses to both viruses and allergens and could be pivotal in regulating interactions between these.


OBJECTIVE
This study addresses the effects of RSV infection on phenotype and function of pulmonary dendritic cells.


METHODS
BALB/c mice were infected with RSV, and expression of CD11c, MHC II, and CD86 on lung and spleen cells was monitored by flow cytometry for 21 days after infection. CD11c(+) cells were isolated to assess their phagocytic capacity and their ability to induce proliferation in allogenic T cells.


RESULTS
Numbers of pulmonary CD11c(+) MHC II(hi) cells increased 13-fold starting from day 6 after RSV infection. This was associated with increased CD86 expression, reduced phagocytosis, and increased allogenic T-cell stimulatory capacity in CD11c(+) cells. These changes in the lung outlasted acute infection and were not observed in spleens.


CONCLUSIONS
RSV infection results in sustained increases in numbers of mature dendritic cells in the lung. These might well contribute to the development of intense airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness after RSV infection and to enhancement of subsequent responses to allergen exposure.
Beyer
Marc
M
Klinik für Kinder-und Jugendmedizin, St Josef-Hospital, Bochum, Germany.
Bartz
Holger
H
Hörner
Katharina
K
Doths
Sandra
S
Koerner-Rettberg
Cordula
C
Schwarze
Jürgen
J
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D001988:Bronchiolitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D018845:CD11 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000378:metabolism; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000502:physiology; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology
D015703:Antigens, CD; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D018845:CD11 Antigens; C497965:Cd86 protein, mouse; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins