Copyright ©ERS Journals Ltd 2003 Cytokine production of RSV/PHA-stimulated tonsillar mononuclear cells: influences of age and atopy1 University Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton and 2 Dept of Respiratory Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute and Wright Fleming Institute of Infection and Immunity, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK. 3 Chiba Prefectural Institute of Public Health, Chiba City, Japan CORRESPONDENCE: S.L. Johnston, Dept of Respiratory Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute and Wright Fleming Institute of Infection and Immunity, Imperial College, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK. Fax: 44 2072628913. E-mail: s.johnston@ic.ac.uk Keywords: allergic sensitisation, respiratory syncytial virus, T-helper cell type 1, T-helper cell type 2
Received: September 24, 2002
This study was supported by the British Lung Foundation, Garfield Weston Fellowship, grant number F96/09.
Links between immune responses to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), age and atopic sensitisation are poorly understood.
This study investigated the induction of target organ type-1, type-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokine responses to RSV and/or phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) in tonsillar mononuclear cells from children, in relation to age and atopic status.
In comparison with the control medium, RSV induced production of the type-1 cytokines interferon (IFN)-
These data are compatible with the hypothesis that immature type-1 immunity during early childhood plays a role in both respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis and in its relationship with atopy.
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