STAT6 inhibitory peptide given during RSV infection of neonatal mice reduces exacerbated airway responses upon adult reinfection

Bharat T. Srinivasa, Katherine H. Restori, Jichuan Shan, Louis Cyr, Li Xing, Soojin Lee, Brian J. Ward, Elizabeth D. Fixman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-related hospitalization during infancy is strongly associated with the subsequent development of asthma. Early life RSV infection results in a Th2-biased immune response, which is also typical of asthma. Murine models of neonatal RSV infection have been developed to examine the possible contribution of RSV-driven Th2 responses to the development of airway hyper-responsiveness later in childhood. We have investigated the ability of a cell-penetrating STAT6 inhibitory peptide (STAT6-IP), when delivered selectively during neonatal RSV infection, to modify pathogenesis induced upon secondary RSV reinfection of adults 6 wk later. Neonatal STAT6-IP treatment inhibited the development of airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) and significantly reduced lung eosinophilia and collagen deposition in adult mice following RSV reinfection. STAT6-IP-treated, RSV-infected neonates had reduced levels of both IL-4 and alternatively activated macrophages (AAMs) in the lungs. Our findings suggest that targeting STAT6 activity at the time of early-life RSV infection may effectively reduce the risk of subsequent asthma development.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)519-529
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Leukocyte Biology
Volume101
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2017

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

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