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Updated: Jul 23, 2026

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
Identification of the respiratory syncytial virus-induced immunosuppressive factor produced by human peripheral blood
F M Preston1, P L Beier, J H Pope
1Sir Albert Sakzewski Virus Research Centre, Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
Abstract:
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can inhibit the proliferative response of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in vitro. This inhibition is mediated by an extracellular RSV-induced factor. In the present study, the factor was clearly identified as interferon (IFN)-alpha. The RSV-induced IFN-alpha bound strongly to PBMC and inhibited the anti-RSV proliferative response only when added within the first few days of stimulation. There was, however, no concomitant decrease in the production of interleukin (IL)-2 nor in the cell surface expression of CD25, CD71, and HLA-DR. Inhibition by RSV-induced IFN-alpha was unrelated to the levels of IL-1, -2, and -6 or of IFN-gamma induced by RSV in vitro or to the presence of IL-1 inhibitor, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, prostaglandin, or IL-10. Immunosuppression by IFN-alpha may significantly affect the outcome of infection and reinfection with RSV.
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