RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS INDUCES SELECTIVE PRODUCTION OF THE CHEMOKINE RANTES BY UPPER AIRWAY EPITHELIAL-CELLS

The presence of histamine and eosinophil cationic protein in nasophary ngeal secretions of infants with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-ind uced bronchiolitis implies the activation of basophil and eosinophil l eukocytes, but the specific mechanism of their recruitment has not bee n elucidated. Chemokines are potent and selective leukocyte chemotacti c molecules that are also expressed by airway epithelial cells. Theref ore, the pattern of chemokines produced in response to RSV infection w as investigated in primary cultures of human nose- and adenoid-derived epithelial cells. Interleukin-8, growth-related peptide-alpha, and mo nocyte chemotactic protein-1 were constitutively released by uninfecte d epithelial cells and were not further enhanced by infection with RSV . RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell-expressed and -secr eted), which was present in negligible concentrations in uninfected cu ltures, was strongly induced by RSV infection, in a dose- and time-dep endent manner. Through the release of RANTES, epithelial cells may con trol the selective concentration and activation of basophils and eosin ophils in RSV-infected airway mucosa.