Cytokine response after severe respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis in early life

Mario Castro, Toni Schweiger, Huiquing Yin-DeClue, Thiruvamoor P. Ramkumar, Chandrika Christie, Jie Zheng, Rebecca Cohen, Kenneth B. Schechtman, Robert Strunk, Leonard B. Bacharier

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Immune response after viral infection usually involves TH1-mediated response; however, severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection appears to be associated with the development of asthma, a TH2-predominant phenotype. Objective: To understand the early and subsequent immunologic response to a serious RSV infection in children over time. Methods: A total of 206 previously healthy infants hospitalized with severe RSV bronchiolitis were enrolled in a prospective cohort called the RSV Bronchiolitis in Early Life study. Peripheral blood T cells were obtained immediately after RSV infection and at 2, 4, and 6 years of age, stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin, and analyzed for IL-2, IL-4, IL-13, and IFN-γ by flow cytometry and real-time PCR. Results: Of the children, 48% (n = 97) developed asthma (physician-diagnosed), and 48% (n = 97) had eczema by age 6 years; 32% (n = 48 of 150) developed allergic sensitization by 3 years of age. Children with asthma had lower IL-13 expression at 6 years of age than those without (P = .001). IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-4 levels did not differ by asthma or eczema status during follow-up (all P > .05). Allergic sensitization was not associated with differences in cytokine levels during follow-up (all P > .05). Conclusion: Severe RSV infection early in life is associated with a high incidence of asthma and eczema. Contrary to expectations, subsequent immunologic development in those who developed asthma, eczema, or allergic sensitization was not associated with a TH2 phenotype in the peripheral blood.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)726-733.e3
JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume122
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2008

Keywords

  • RSV bronchiolitis
  • allergic sensitization
  • asthma
  • cytokines
  • eczema

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