Respiratory syncytial virus infects CD4+ T cells: the frequency of circulating CD4+RSV+ T cells as a marker of disease severity in young children

S. RAIDEN; I. SANANEZ; F. REMES LENICOV; J. PANDOLFI; C. ROMERO; L. LILLO; A. CEBALLOS; J. GEFFNER; L. ARRUVITO

JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES

UNIV CHICAGO PRESS

Lugar: Chicago; Año: 2017

0022-1899

Although human airway epithelial cells are the main target of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), it also infects immune cells, such as macrophages and B cells. Whether T cells are permissive to RSV infection is unknown.Objectives:To analyze the permissiveness of CD4+ T cells to RSV infection.Methods:CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from cord blood, healthy young children and adults were challenged by RSV or co-cultured with infected HEp-2 cells. Infection, phenotype and cytokine production by T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry or ELISA. Expression of RSV antigens by circulating CD4+ T cells from infected children was analyzed by flow cytometry, and disease severity defined by standard criteria.Results:CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were productively infected by RSV. Infection decreased IL-2 and IFN-γ production as well as the expression of CD25 and Ki-67 by activated CD4+ T cells. RSV antigens were detected in circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells during severe RSV infection of young children. Interestingly, the frequency of CD4+RSV+ T cells positively correlated with disease severity.Conclusions:RSV infects CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and compromises T cell function. The frequency of circulating CD4+RSV+ T cells might represent a novel marker of severe infection