RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Rhinovirus infection in nonasthmatic subjects: effects on intrapulmonary airways JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP 274 OP 279 DO 10.1183/09031936.02.00247202 VO 20 IS 2 A1 J. de Kluijver A1 K. Grünberg A1 J.K. Sont A1 M. Hoogeveen A1 W.A.A.M. van Schadewijk A1 E.P.A. de Klerk A1 C.R. Dick A1 J.H.J.M. van Krieken A1 P.J. Sterk YR 2002 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/20/2/274.abstract AB The common cold is a highly prevalent, uncomplicated upper airway disease. However, rhinovirus (RV) infection can lead to exacerbation of asthma, with worsening in airway hyperresponsiveness and bronchial inflammation. The current authors questioned whether such involvement of the intrapulmonary airways is disease specific. Twelve nonatopic, healthy subjects (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) >80% predicted, provocation concentration causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PC20) >8 mg·mL−1) were experimentally infected with RV16. Next to PC20 and the maximal response to methacholine (MFEV1 and MV′40p), the numbers of mucosal inflammatory cells and epithelial intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)‐1 expression in bronchial biopsies were assessed before and 6 days after RV16 inoculation. RV16 infection induced a small but consistent increase in maximal airway narrowing, without a change in PC20. There was a significant increase in bronchial epithelial ICAM‐1 expression after RV16, whereas inflammatory cell counts did not change. Nevertheless, the change in the number of submucosal CD3+ cells was correlated with the change in MV′40p. In conclusion, rhinovirus infection in normal subjects induces a limited, but significant increase in maximal airway narrowing, which is associated with changes in bronchial T‐cell numbers. Together with the upregulation of bronchial epithelial intercellular adhesion molecule‐1, these findings indicate that, even in healthy subjects, rhinovirus infection affects the intrapulmonary airways. This study was funded by “Stichting Astma Bestrijding”, the Netherlands.