CD4+ T cells are permissive to Respiratory Syncytial virus infection

PANDOFLI J; RAIDEN S; REMES LENICOV F; SANANEZ I; ERNST G; JANCIC C; CEBALLOS A; GEFFNER J; ARRUVITO L

Congreso; SAI/FAIC 2015; 2015

Background: Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of severe bronchiolitis in young infants. We have recently reported that RSV infection induces a dramatic reduction in the frequency of peripheral blood Tregs in children. Although human airway epithelial cells are the main target of RSV, it has been shown that the virus can also infect immune cells as DCs. However, no studies have evaluated whether CD4+T cells are permissive to RSV infection. Results: We found that cord blood CD4+T cells exposed to RSV or co-cultured with infected bronchial epithelial cells were effectively infected by RSV, as indicated by the expression of viral proteins and mRNA. RSV infection of CD4+T cells inhibits IL-2 production and cell proliferation induced by different stimuli (p