Revisiting respiratory syncytial virus’s interaction with host immunity, towards novel therapeutics

Abstract

Every year there are > 33 million cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)-related respiratory infection in children under the age of five, making RSV the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in infants. RSV is a global infection, but 99% of related mortality is in low/middle-income countries. Unbelievably, 62 years after its identification, there remains no effective treatment nor vaccine for this deadly virus, leaving infants, elderly and immunocompromised patients at high risk. The success of all pathogens depends on their ability to evade and modulate the host immune response. RSV has a complex and intricate relationship with our immune systems, but a clearer understanding of these interactions is essential in the development of effective medicines. Therefore, in a bid to update and focus our research community's understanding of RSV's interaction with immune defences, this review aims to discuss how our current knowledgebase could be used to combat this global viral threat.

Low levels of respiratory syncytial virus activity in Europe during the 2020/21 season: what can we expect in the coming summer and autumn/winter?

“…These children subsequently develop immunity that protects them against severe RSV infection [ 27 - 29 ]. Due to the absence of RSV activity since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a larger number of infants and young children (with a slight upward age shift) may be at an increased risk for severe RSV infection because they did not have had the opportunity to develop immunity against severe infection earlier [ 28 - 30 ]. It is unclear whether children with a first RSV infection at an older age are less prone to a severe infection.…”

Respiratory syncytial virus: from pathogenesis to potential therapeutic strategies

“…In addition, IL-33 can increase the expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TLSP) in DC cells and then change the differentiation of T cells to favor CD4 + T cells expressing Th2 characteristic cytokines [67]. It can also induce type II congenital lymphoid cells (ILC2 cells) the increased secretion of IL-4 and IL-13 levels, which further promote mucus secretion [68].…”

Intervention Strategies for Seasonal and Emerging Respiratory Viruses with Drugs and Vaccines Targeting Viral Surface Glycoproteins

“…RSV is a negative-sense, non-segmented enveloped RNA virus causing substantial morbidity and some mortality in adults and children [ 10 , 11 ]. RSV contributes to an estimated 3 million hospitalizations and >60,000 deaths/year globally [ 12 ].…”