Sex-associated TSLP-induced immune alterations following early-life RSV infection leads to enhanced allergic disease.

ABSTRACT: Many studies have linked severe RSV infection during early-life with an enhanced likelihood of developing childhood asthma, showing a greater susceptibility in boys. Our studies show that early-life RSV infection leads to differential long-term effects based upon the sex of the neonate; leaving male mice prone to exacerbation upon secondary allergen exposure while overall protecting female mice. During initial viral infection, we observed better viral control in the female mice with correlative expression of interferon-β that was not observed in male mice. Additionally, we observed persistent immune alterations in male mice at 4 weeks post infection. These alterations include Th2 and Th17-skewing, innate cytokine expression (Tslp and Il33), and infiltration of innate immune cells (DC and I

SUBMITTER: Malinczak CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6599479 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature