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An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
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Antigen presentation by a macrophage-like cell line persistently infected with respiratory syncytial virus

Antonieta Guerrero-Plata1, Enrique Ortega, Vianney Ortíz-Navarrete

  • 1Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Universidad, Mexico, D.F. 04510, Mexico. maaguerr@utumb.edu

Virus Research
|December 23, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in early life may lead to airway disease. Chronic RSV infection in macrophages did not impair their ability to present viral antigens to T cells.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Severe human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in infancy is linked to recurrent airway disease.
  • Immune response dysregulation, potentially involving macrophage dysfunction, may underlie this association.
  • Previous studies showed RSV persistence impairs Fcgamma receptor-mediated phagocytosis and cytokine production in macrophages.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if chronic RSV infection affects macrophage antigen processing and presentation.
  • To determine if macrophages infected with RSV can stimulate RSV-specific CD8(+) T cells.
  • To examine MHC class I molecule expression in RSV-infected macrophages.

Main Methods:

  • Cultured macrophages persistently infected with RSV (MPhiper) were used.
  • Antigen processing and presentation capabilities were assessed.
  • Expression of MHC class I molecules was analyzed.
  • The ability of MPhiper to stimulate RSV-specific CD8(+) T cells was evaluated.

Main Results:

  • Chronic RSV infection did not alter macrophage antigen processing and presentation.
  • MPhiper maintained the expression of MHC class I molecules.
  • Macrophages infected with RSV demonstrated the capacity to stimulate RSV-specific CD8(+) T lymphocytes.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic RSV infection does not impair the antigen-presenting function of macrophages.
  • Macrophages infected with RSV can effectively stimulate virus-specific CD8(+) T cell responses.
  • These findings suggest that impaired T cell stimulation is not the primary mechanism linking RSV to recurrent airway disease.

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