Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
09:01

An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Published on: December 10, 2013

Innate immune dysfunction is associated with enhanced disease severity in infants with severe respiratory syncytial

Cesar Mella1, M Carmen Suarez-Arrabal, Santiago Lopez

  • 1Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University School of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|December 4, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Infants with severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis show higher plasma cytokines but reduced immune cell production capacity. This immune dysregulation predicts worse outcomes, aiding in identifying at-risk infants.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric critical care medicine
  • Immunology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Most pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis occur in previously healthy infants.
  • The relationship between immune markers and RSV disease severity is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between serum cytokine concentrations, innate immune responsiveness, and the severity of RSV bronchiolitis in infants.

Main Methods:

  • Blood samples were collected from infants with RSV bronchiolitis (PICU and floor admissions) and healthy controls.
  • Plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, and IL-10 were measured.
  • Whole blood lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cytokine production capacity was assessed.

Main Results:

  • Plasma IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were higher in hospitalized infants than controls.
  • Impaired TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 production capacity was observed in PICU patients compared to floor patients and controls.
  • Decreased TNF-α and IL-8 production capacity correlated with longer hospital stays and increased disease severity scores.

Conclusions:

  • Severe RSV bronchiolitis is characterized by elevated plasma cytokines and diminished innate immune cytokine production capacity.
  • Immune monitoring may help identify infants at risk for severe RSV lower respiratory tract infection upon hospitalization.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis08:46

A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis

Published on: August 12, 2020

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Asthma I: Introduction01:28

Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features01:24

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
Acute Respiratory Failure-V01:29

Acute Respiratory Failure-V

The treatment for acute respiratory failure varies based on factors like the underlying cause, overall health, and severity. A collaborative healthcare team is essential for early detection, often through arterial blood gas analysis. Identifying the cause is the primary goal, with treatment strategies adjusted for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch, shunting, or diffusion impairment.
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...