IL-11, IFN-gamma and ECP levels in nasopharyngeal secretions from non-asthmatic wheezing children with respiratory syncytial virus or influenza A virus infections / 천식및알레르기

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Infection with respiratory virus has been shown to exacerbate asthma in humans. However, the role of a respiratory virus in the pathogenesis of chronic asthma and/or wheezing in young children has not been clearly defined. The objective of this study was to determine whether respiratory virus infections such as RSV, and influenza A virus are related to the productions of IL-11, IFN-gamma, and ECP levels in nasopharyngeal secretions. METHOD: We compared IL-11, IFN-gamma, and ECP levels in nasopharyngeal secretions from 38 non-asthmatic wheezing children with viral infections (RSV in 21 children, influenza A virus in 17 children), and 16 non-asthmatic healthy children who were included as the controls. IL-11, and IFN-gamma levels were analysed by ELISA. ECP concentrations were measured by monoclonal antibody-based fluorometric assay. RESULT: RSV infection in children induced a greater release of IL-11 in nasopharyngeal secretions than in influenza A virus infection, and in the controls. The release of IFN-gamma levels in nasopharyngeal secretions from children with influenza A virus infection was significantly higher than in nasopharyngeal secretions from children with RSV. ECP levels of subjects with viral infection were significantly higher than in control children. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that RSV is a potent inducer of IL-11 elaboration in nasal epithelium and that IL-11 is an important mediator in the pathogenesis of RSV infection. Increased IFN-gamma production in response to the influenza A virus infection may be related to effective Th1 responses.