T helper 1 background protects against airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in guinea pigs with persistent respiratory syncytial virus infection

Troy C. Sutton, Farnoosh Tayyari, M. Aatif Khan, Heather E. Manson, Richard G. Hegele

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

A family history of allergy has been implicated in children who develop post-bronchiolitis wheezing and asthma. In a guinea pig model of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lung infection, we evaluated the role of host Th1 background (either genetic or induced) on the development of a persistent infection, nonspecific airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and airway inflammation. Allergy resistant/T helper 1 (Th1)-skewed strain 2 guinea pigs (STR2) and cytosine phosphate guanine oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) (Th1 stimuli) pretreated Cam Hartley guinea pigs (CH) were inoculated with RSV and compared with virus-inoculated allergy-susceptible/Th2-skewed CHs and to sham-inoculated STR2 and CH, 60 d post-inoculation. We measured titers of intrapulmonary RSV, lung interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-5 mRNA expression, AHR and airway T cells and eosinophils. All virus-inoculated groups of animals showed evidence of persistent RSV lung infection; however, Th2-skewed guinea pigs had virus-associated AHR and significantly greater levels of airway T cells and eosinophils. In conclusion, RSV can establish persistent infection of the guinea pig lung regardless of host Th1/Th2 background; however; a host Th1 background limits the extent of virus-associated AHR and airway inflammation. Heterogeneity in virus-host interactions may be relevant to understanding why some children hospitalized for RSV bronchiolitis go on to develop recurrent wheezing/asthma symptoms.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)525-529
Number of pages5
JournalPediatric Research
Volume61
Issue number5 PART 1
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2007

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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