Pulmonary peptidergic innervation remodeling and development of airway hyperresponsiveness induced by RSV persistent infection

Tan YR, Yang T, Liu SP +4 more2008PeptidesJournal Article

10.1016/j.peptides.2007.10.020 PubMed

Immune/InnateNeurologicalRespiratory/Sinus

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection causes bronchiolitis in infants and children, which is an important risk factor for the development of chronic asthma. To probe the underlying mechanisms that RSV infection increases the susceptibility of asthma, this present study was designed to establish a RSV persistent infection animal model by cyclophosphamide (CYP) pretreatment that more closely mimic human RSV infection. CYP is an immunosuppressant, which induced deficiency in cellular and humoral immunity. Pulmonary RSV titers, airway function and peptidergic innervation were measured on 7d, 28 d, 42 d and 60 d postinfection. The results showed that during RSV persistent infection, the lungs of RSV-inoculated animals pretreated with CYP showed higher RSV titers and exhibited obvious chronic inflammation. The results also showed that protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5), substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-immunoreactive fibers increased and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-immunoreactive fibers decreased during RSV persistent infection. These results demonstrate that RSV persistent infection induces significant alterations in the peptidergic innervation in the airways, which may be associated with the development of altered airway function.

Key Biomarkers

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)Protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5)RSV titersSubstance P (SP)Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP)

Symptom Clusters

Airway hyperresponsivenessAltered airway functionBronchiolitisChronic inflammation

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References (2)