Effects of anti-inflammatory therapies on recurrent and low-grade respiratory syncytial virus infections in a murine model of asthma.

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Citation

Matsuse H, Kondo Y, Machida I, Kawano T, Saeki S, Tomari S, Obase Y, Fukushima C, Mizuta Y, Kohno S

Effects of anti-inflammatory therapies on recurrent and low-grade respiratory syncytial virus infections in a murine model of asthma.

Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2006 Jul;97(1):55-60.

PubMed ID
16892782 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recurrent and subclinical viral respiratory tract infections could immunologically exacerbate allergic airway inflammation. However, the most appropriate treatment for virus-induced asthma exacerbation is yet to be established. The effects of glucocorticoids in virus-induced acute asthma are controversial. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of representative anti-inflammatory therapies for asthma--glucocorticoids and leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs)--in mite allergen-sensitized and repeatedly low-grade respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)--infected mice. METHODS: Dermatophagoides farinae-sensitized mice were inoculated twice with low-grade RSV and subcutaneously injected with either a glucocorticoid or an LTRA for 4 consecutive days. Lung inflammation, cytokine profiles, LT production, and viral RNA in lung tissues were compared in 5 groups of 8 mice each: controls, D farinae allergen sensitized, D farinae sensitized and RSV infected, D farinae sensitized and RSV infected with dexamethasone, and D farinae sensitized and RSV infected with pranlukast, an LTRA. RESULTS: Allergic airway inflammation in D farinae mice was significantly enhanced by recurrent and low-grade RSV infections (RLRIs). The glucocorticoid attenuated allergic airway inflammation, which was associated with interleukin 5 (IL-5) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) suppression in lung-draining lymph nodes without affecting viral quantity. The LTRA also attenuated allergic airway inflammation in D farinae-RSV mice with concomitant inhibition of IL-5 but not IFN-gamma. Dermatophagoides farinae allergen sensitization significantly increased LTs in the airway, whereas RLRIs did not further enhance LT production. CONCLUSIONS: Glucocorticoids and LTRAs significantly inhibit RLRI-induced exacerbation of allergic airway inflammation by distinct pathways. Dexamethasone suppressed nonspecific cytokines, whereas viral RNA did not increase via suppression of immunity. In contrast, pranlukast specifically inhibited IL-5 but not IFN-gamma.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets
DrugTargetKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
PranlukastInterleukin-5ProteinHumans
Unknown
Antagonist
Details