Modulation of IL-8 mRNA expression and production in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) stimulated human alveolar epithelial cells by budesonide and montelukast

• Published in: Journal of allergy and clinical immunology 2004-02, Vol.113 (2), p.S192-S192
• Main Authors: Horne, N.S., Shaw, H., Huang, Y., Frieri, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0091-6749; 1097-6825
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2004.01.132

Pediatric bronchiolitis and the subsequent development of asthma can be triggered by RSV infection. Alveolar epithelial cell stimulation by RSV leads to cytokine release and can damage the airway epithelium. IL-8 is a potent neutrophil chemoattractant expressed in RSV stimulated human bronchial epithelium. Budesonide and montelukast both have a potential role in regulating IL-8 in human alveolar epithelial cells. Human alveolar epithelial (A549) cells (1×10 6 cells/ml) were assessed for IL-8 production and expression at 17 and 48 hours using a quantitative colorimetric ELISA and a gene-specific quantitative mRNA assay. Cells were incubated in the presence of 265 μg/ml of RSV antigen and/or 100 U/ml of IL-1β and treated with 50 μM of montelukast or 1×10 −7 M of budesonide. A549 cells stimulated with RSV, IL-1β, and RSV+IL-1β showed a significant increase in the production and expression of IL-8 at 17 (p