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Rhinovirus infection induces mucus hypersecretion
1Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia 20007-2197, USA.
The American Journal of Physiology
|June 25, 1998
Summary
Rhinovirus infections increase interleukin-8 and mucin secretion, contributing to common cold symptoms like watery and mucoid rhinorrhea. This study quantified changes in nasal mucus during infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Rhinology
Background:
- Rhinorrhea is a common cold symptom, but changes in nasal mucin during rhinovirus infections remain unquantified.
- Previous studies showed increased vascular permeability and serous cell secretion in nasal mucus during rhinovirus infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify changes in mucin constituents in nasal mucus during rhinovirus infections.
- To investigate the role of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and mucoglycoprotein exocytosis in rhinovirus-induced rhinorrhea.
Main Methods:
- Nonallergic and allergic rhinitis subjects were inoculated with rhinovirus.
- Nasal lavages were collected daily for 5 days post-inoculation.
- Concentrations of IL-8, IgG, lysozyme, and mucoglycoprotein (7F10-irm, Alcian blue) were measured.
Main Results:
- Infected subjects showed maximal increases in IL-8, IgG, total protein, and gel-phase 7F10-irm on day 3.
- No significant differences were observed between infected allergic and nonallergic subjects.
- IL-8 and gel-phase 7F10-irm were significantly higher in infected versus noninfected subjects.
Conclusions:
- Rhinovirus infection increases IL-8 and gel-phase mucin secretion, alongside plasma exudation.
- These mechanisms may explain the progression from watery to mucoid rhinorrhea during the common cold.
- Mild neutrophilic infiltration may also contribute to cold symptoms.