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Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Airway microbiome, host immune response and recurrent wheezing in infants with severe respiratory syncytial virus
Xiaoyan Zhang1,2, Xiang Zhang2, Nan Zhang1
1Department of Medical Microbiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Insights
Infants with higher levels of Haemophilus and Moraxella bacteria after severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis may be more prone to developing recurrent wheezing. This suggests a link between early airway microbiome composition and later childhood respiratory issues.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Microbiome Research
- Immunology
Background:
- Early life respiratory infections and microbiome interactions can influence immune development.
- These interactions may predispose children to recurrent wheezing and asthma later in life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the respiratory microbiome, immune response, and recurrent wheezing development in infants hospitalized with severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis.
- To understand the role of specific bacteria and inflammatory markers in the progression to recurrent wheezing.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-four infants hospitalized with severe RSV bronchiolitis were followed until age 3.
- Sputum samples were analyzed for microbiota profiles (16S rRNA sequencing), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and cytokine levels (ELISA, multiplex immunoassay).
Main Results:
- Infants who developed recurrent wheezing (35.1%) had higher abundances of Haemophilus, Moraxella, and Klebsiella.
- Elevated airway levels of LPS, CXCL8, CCL5, IL-6, and IL-13 were observed in infants with recurrent wheezing.
- Haemophilus abundance correlated with CXCL8, and Moraxella abundance correlated with IL-6 and IL-10.
Conclusions:
- Increased Haemophilus and Moraxella in the airway microbiome during severe RSV bronchiolitis may promote airway inflammation.
- This inflammation could be a key factor contributing to the development of recurrent wheezing in early childhood.
Background:
Early interactions between respiratory viruses and microbiota might modulate host immune responses and subsequently contribute to later development of recurrent wheezing and asthma in childhood. We aimed to study the possible association between respiratory microbiome, host immune response, and the development of recurrent wheezing in infants with severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis.
Methods:
Seventy-four infants who were hospitalized at Beijing Children's Hospital during an initial episode of severe RSV bronchiolitis at 6 months of age or less were included and followed up until the age of 3 years. Sputum samples were collected, and their microbiota profiles, LPS, and cytokines were analyzed by 16S rRNA-based sequencing, ELISA, and multiplex immunoassay, respectively.
Results:
Twenty-six (35.1%) infants developed recurrent wheezing by the age of 3 years, and 48 (64.9%) did not. The relative abundance of Haemophilus, Moraxella, and Klebsiella was higher in infants who later developed recurrent wheezing than in those who did not (LDA score >3.5). Airway levels of LPS (P = .003), CXCL8 (P = .004), CCL5 (P = .029), IL-6 (P = .004), and IL-13 (P < .001) were significantly higher in infants who later developed recurrent wheezing than in those who did not. Moreover, high airway abundance of Haemophilus was associated with CXCL8 (r = 0.246, P = .037) level, and that of Moraxella was associated with IL-6 level (r = 0.236, P = .046) and IL-10 level (r = 0.266, P = .024).
Conclusion:
Our study suggests that higher abundance of Haemophilus and Moraxella in airway microbiome might modulate airway inflammation during severe RSV bronchiolitis in infancy, potentially contributing to the development of subsequent recurrent wheezing in later childhood.
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