HLA-Restricted CD8 super(+) Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte, Interferon- gamma , and Interleukin-4 Responses to Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Infants and Children

• Published in: The Journal of infectious diseases 2001-03, Vol.183 (5), p.687-696
• Main Authors: Mbawuike, IN, Wells, J, Byrd, R, Cron, S G, Glezen, W P, Piedra, P A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CD8 antigen; g-Interferon; histocompatibility antigen HLA; respiratory syncytial virus
• ISSN: 0022-1899

CD8 super(+) cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity, interferon (IFN)- gamma , and interleukin (IL)-4 production were evaluated in a blinded manner among respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-infected newborns and their mothers for 3 epidemic seasons. Most mothers (80%) exhibited RSV-specific CD8 super(+) CTL activity. Twenty (80%) of the 26 infants exhibited significant RSV-specific CTL activity during or after their first RSV season. CTL frequency increased with RSV infection rate, reaching 75% by the end of the third season. Most infants who shed virus (75%) had a medically attended lower respiratory tract disease (LRD). In the first year, RSV-infected infants (virus culture and antibody increase) were more likely to develop CTL activity (10 of 13) than were uninfected infants (1 of 5; P = .02). Infants with CTL activity in the first year were less likely to have an LRD in the second year. CD8 super(+) CTL levels correlated positively with IFN- gamma (P < .001) and inversely with IL-4 (P = .03). Contribution of CD8 super(+) CTL and IFN- gamma in the control of RSV disease in infants and children is implicated.