NASAL CYTOKINE PRODUCTION IN VIRAL ACUTE UPPER RESPIRATORY-INFECTION OF CHILDHOOD

Children in a day care center underwent serial nasal lavages in order to assess nasal cytokine expression during acute upper respiratory inf ections (URI). Interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-8, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were markedly elevated in nasal lavage fluid during acute URI compared to baseline, and all except TNF-alpha decre ased significantly by 2-4 weeks later. Cytokine patterns in respirator y syncytial virus-positive and-negative illnesses did not differ signi ficantly. A subgroup of children also underwent superficial mucosal bi opsy under the inferior nasal turbinate. During acute URI, biopsy cell s (90%-95% epithelial) showed increased transcripts for IL-1 beta, IL- 8, and IL-6 in 7 of 9 subjects, suggesting that epithelial cells may b e one source of cytokines during acute URI. The results show that infl ammatory cytokines are elevated in nasal secretions during acute URI i n preschool children. Thus, cytokines are likely to participate in reg ulation of respiratory virus-induced inflammation.