ABSTRACT
Objective To determine a possible role for Clara cell secretary protein(CCSP)during acute RSV infection.Method CCSP-deficient [CCSP (-/-)]and wild-type (WT) mice were intratracheally infected with RSV and the lung inflammatory response to RSV infection were assessed.Results RSV-F gene expression increased in the lungs of CCSP (-/-) mice compared to WT mice following RSV infection, consistent with increased viral persistence. Lung inflammation was significantly worsened in CCSP (-/-) mice compared to WT mice after RSV infection. Th2 cytokines and neutrophil chemokines increased in the lungs of CCSP (-/-) mice following RSV infection.Conclusion These findings suggest that lack of CCSP may promote the inflammatory and Th2 immune response to RSV infection.