JCI Insight (Jun 2023)

Human T cells efficiently control RSV infection

  • Chandrav De,
  • Raymond J. Pickles,
  • Wenbo Yao,
  • Baolin Liao,
  • Allison Boone,
  • Mingyu Choi,
  • Diana M. Battaglia,
  • Frederic B. Askin,
  • Jason K. Whitmire,
  • Guido Silvestri,
  • J. Victor Garcia,
  • Angela Wahl

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 11

Abstract

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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection causes significant morbidity and mortality in infants, immunocompromised individuals, and older individuals. There is an urgent need for effective antivirals and vaccines for high-risk individuals. We used 2 complementary in vivo models to analyze RSV-associated human lung pathology and human immune correlates of protection. RSV infection resulted in widespread human lung epithelial damage, a proinflammatory innate immune response, and elicited a natural adaptive human immune response that conferred protective immunity. We demonstrated a key role for human T cells in controlling RSV infection. Specifically, primed human CD8+ T cells or CD4+ T cells effectively and independently control RSV replication in human lung tissue in the absence of an RSV-specific antibody response. These preclinical data support the development of RSV vaccines, which also elicit effective T cell responses to improve RSV vaccine efficacy.

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