RSV vaccine-enhanced disease is orchestrated by the combined actions of distinct CD4 T cell subsets

PLoS Pathog. 2015 Mar 13;11(3):e1004757. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004757. eCollection 2015 Mar.

Abstract

There is no currently licensed vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) despite being the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children. Children previously immunized with a formalin-inactivated RSV (FI-RSV) vaccine exhibited enhanced respiratory disease following natural RSV infection. Subsequent studies in animal models have implicated roles for CD4 T cells, eosinophils and non-neutralizing antibodies in mediating enhanced respiratory disease. However, the underlying immunological mechanisms responsible for the enhanced respiratory disease and other disease manifestations associated with FI-RSV vaccine-enhanced disease remain unclear. We demonstrate for the first time that while CD4 T cells mediate all aspects of vaccine-enhanced disease, distinct CD4 T cell subsets orchestrate discrete and specific disease parameters. A Th2-biased immune response, but not eosinophils specifically, was required for airway hyperreactivity and mucus hypersecretion. In contrast, the Th1-associated cytokine TNF-α was necessary to mediate airway obstruction and weight loss. Our data demonstrate that individual disease manifestations associated with FI-RSV vaccine-enhanced disease are mediated by distinct subsets of CD4 T cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines / immunology*
  • Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / immunology*
  • Th1 Cells / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology*

Substances

  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha