Effects of respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) infection on the airway hyperresponesivenesss of ovabumin(OVA)-sensitized Balb/C mice

Objective: To study the effect of RSV infection on the airway hyperresponesiveness of OVA-sensitized Balb/C mice. Methods:Thirty mice were randomly divided into three groups:PBS control group, OVA group and OVA/RSV group; Cells in bronchoalvoelar lavage fluid (BALF) were counted and the supernatants of the BALF were used for detection of IL-4,IL-5 and IFN-γ; Lung histopathology were evaluated by HE stain; Airway responseniveness were assessed using a whole body plethysmgraphy and lung resistance(RL) was calculated using a proprietary software program. Results:Total BALF cells, eosinophils, lymphocytes and neutrophils from OVA/RSV group were significantly higher than those in OVA group(respectively P 0.01); IFN-γ,IL-4,IL-5 levels in BALF from OVA/RSV group increased greatly compared with those in OVA group(respectively P 0.01); Airway inflammatory cell infiltration in airway lumen in OVA/RSV group were more significant and extensive than those in all the other groups. OVA/RSV group had significantly greater airway responsiveness to Ach than OVA group. Conslusion:RSV infection in OVA-sensitized Balb/C mice can induce greater airway hyperresponsiveness and there is great difference in pathyphysiology compared with that in OVA-sensitized asthmic mice.