Galectin-7在哮喘儿童支气管黏膜中的表达及对支气管上皮细胞凋亡的影响

目的:探讨半乳糖凝集素-7(Galectin-7)在哮喘儿童支气管黏膜中的表达及对支气管上皮细胞凋亡的影响。方法:收集哮喘儿童支气管黏膜及支气管扩张非哮喘儿童支气管黏膜,Western blot检测其Galectin-7的表达。体外培养人支气管上皮细胞,分为正常组、对照组、感染组和实验组,正常组用正常的人支气管上皮细胞,对照组细胞用转染siRNA control后的人支气管上皮细胞,感染组细胞用RSV感染后的人支气管上皮细胞,实验组细胞为RSV感染后并转染siRNA Galectin-7的人支气管上皮细胞。培养24 h后,检测各组细胞中Galectin-7蛋白表达,并采用流式细胞术检测各组细胞的凋亡情况,Western blot检测细胞中Bcl-2、Bax、STAT3、p-STAT3蛋白的表达。结果:哮喘儿童支气管黏膜中Galectin-7的表达明显高于非哮喘儿童支气管黏膜组织(P0.01)。正常组和对照组Galectin-7水平比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05),感染组Galectin-7、Bax表达和细胞凋亡率均明显高于正常组,而Bcl-2、p-STAT3的表达均明显低于正常组(P0.01),实验组Galectin-7、Bax表达和细胞凋亡率明显低于感染组,而Bcl-2、p-STAT3的表达均明显高于感染组(P0.01)。结论:Galectin-7在哮喘儿童支气管黏膜中表达上调,可能通过活化STAT3,促进支气管上皮细胞凋亡。     

呼吸道合胞病毒感染诱导BALB/c鼠固有免疫细胞分泌IL-33

IL-33是新发现的细胞因子,在病毒感染所诱发的气道炎症反应中发挥重要作用。研究发现感染呼吸道合胞病毒的BALB/c鼠肺组织内IL-33水平明显升高。但RSV感染后分泌IL-33的免疫细胞类型,尤其是感染早期分泌IL-33的固有免疫细胞类型目前尚不清楚。通过分离培养BALB/c鼠肺泡巨噬细胞及树突状细胞,采用ELISA及实时荧光定量PCR法检测上述固有免疫细胞RSV感染后IL-33分泌水平的变化。结果显示,RSV感染72 h后BALB/c鼠肺泡巨噬细胞IL-33mRNA水平明显升高,而树突状细胞RSV感染24 h后IL-33mRNA水平开始上升,48 h达峰值。研究证实RSV感染诱导BALB/c鼠固有免疫细胞分泌IL-33,进而介导感染后炎症的发生发展。     

小鼠感染合胞病毒与鼠流感病毒后肺脏病理学比较研究

目的与方法用合胞病毒(RSV)和鼠肺流感病毒(IVP)感染SPF级BALB/c小鼠,复制两种不同的小鼠病毒性肺炎动物模型,观察其临床症状,并对两种模型各自的肺部组织病理学特点进行研究。结果与结论IVP模型组与RSV模型组小鼠感染病毒后,分别在试验的2天和3天发病,临床症状均表现为精神沉郁、耸毛、卷缩、毛无光泽、活动减少、呼吸急促、咳嗽。但IVP感染模型组小鼠在发病后出现死亡,第7天其死亡率达到40%,而RSV感染模型组小鼠7日试验内无死亡病例发生。病理组织学诊断,RSV模型组小鼠为急性渗出性间质性肺炎,IVP模型组小鼠为出血性间质性肺炎。     

急性下呼吸道感染患儿中RSV的分离鉴定及分析

目的对2015年兰州单中心急性下呼吸道感染患儿中呼吸道合胞病毒(respiratory syncytial virus,RSV)进行分离鉴定及分析。方法收集临床急性下呼吸道感染患儿痰分泌物226份,在HEP-2细胞中连续盲传培养3代,收获的培养物用半巢式RT-PCR进行检测,选取强阳性样品进行测序以确定其型别,并对其流行病学特征进行分析。结果 226份样品中RSV阳性样本为76份(阳性率为34%)。RSV阳性患儿中,男女性别比为3∶1;年龄分布6月龄患儿占45%,6月龄~2岁占35%,2~5岁的占20%。冬季为发病高峰。76例RSV阳性患儿中,临床诊断依次为毛细支气管炎31例(40.79%)、喘息性支气管炎21例(27.36%)、支气管肺炎20例(26.32%)和支气管哮喘4例(5.26%)。40份强阳性RSV样品经测序确定为B亚型。结论 RSV是引起婴幼儿急性下呼吸道感染的重要病原之一,2015年RSV的流行株主要为B亚型。     

呼吸道合胞病毒感染人肺上皮细胞一氧化氮的产生及其作用

本文探讨呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)感染人肺上皮细胞(A549细胞)后, 一氧化氮(NO)的水平变化及其在RSV感染中的氧化损伤和抗病毒作用。RSV以不同时间感染A549细胞, 并给予NO合成的抑制剂氨基胍(AG)处理。收集细胞培养上清, 分别用硝酸还原酶法和硫代巴比妥酸法检测NO和丙二醛(MDA)含量, 化学法检测羟自由基(OH·)与超氧阴离子(O2.—)水平, 空斑形成试验测定病毒复制滴度(PFU)。结果显示在RSV感染4 h后即上调NO、OH·、O2.—和MDA的表达水平。当RSV感染中给予AG处理以抑制iNOS合成NO时, 则降低OH·、O2.—和MDA含量, 但病毒PFU升高。各指标的变化与相应时间点的感染组相比, 差异均有显著性。提示RSV感染肺上皮细胞诱导生成的NO与细胞内自由基水平升高和加重细胞的自由基损伤程度有关; 但在一定程度上可抑制病毒的增殖水平。     

艾叶挥发油抗病毒作用的初步研究

通过微量细胞病变抑制法,初步研究艾叶挥发油对呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV),流感病毒(IFV)的体外抑制作用。从艾叶挥发油的最大无毒量(TD0 )开始,作连续倍比稀释6个浓度,每一浓度均做4孔,分别加入已感染RSV的单层Hela细胞和感染IFV的单层MDCK细胞中,并设立阴性和阳性对照, 37℃,体积分数为5% CO2 培养,连续动态观察,得到药物的半数有效量(IC50 ),并计算治疗指数(TI)。艾叶挥发油对RSV的IC50为3. 33mg·L-1,TI值为9. 4。对IFV没有抑制作用。结论:艾叶挥发油对RSV有一定的抑制作用,对IFV的抑制作用不明显。     

2017-2020年河南省漯河市呼吸道合胞病毒流行特征研究

呼吸道合胞病毒(Respiratory syncytial virus,RSV)是引起严重急性呼吸道感染(Severe acute respiratory infection,SARI)的一个重要病原,尤其以5岁以下儿童为主.为了解河南省漯河市SARI住院患者中RSV感染的流行病学和临床特征,为RSV预防控制及临床诊疗提供科学数据,本研究采集2017年10月至2020年8月河南省漯河市SARI住院病例的咽拭子,并收集流行病学和临床信息.采用荧光定量PCR方法鉴定RSV A/B阳性病例,分析其流行病学和临床特征.结果显示,本研究共入组1335例SARI病例,其中220例(16.48％)为RSV阳性,A和B亚型分别占64.55％和30.45％.RSV感染以5岁以下儿童为主(占91.36％),2岁以下婴幼儿占RSV感染病例的一半以上(占55.37％).RSV流行高峰出现在11月-次年1月,不同年份流行季可前后相差一个月.A﹑B亚型在不同月份可单独流行也可共流行.受新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情影响,2020年2-8月SARI病例数较往年同期减少60％以上,RSV阳性率在2020年2-8月降低为0.与非RSV感染组相比,RSV更易感染2岁以下儿童,下呼吸道感染占比更高(以支气管肺炎为主).本研究通过近3年SARI病例监测,揭示河南省漯河市RSV感染以冬春季常见,以下呼吸道感染为主,主要感染5岁以下儿童,其中2岁以下婴幼儿是防控重点人群.新型冠状病毒肺炎流行期间,由于限制性防控措施的干预,RSV感染大大降低.本研究将为RSV疫苗和单克隆抗体等预防性干预手段的使用策略提供基础数据.     

人呼吸道合胞病毒疾病增强发生机制的研究进展

人呼吸道合胞病毒(Human respiratory syncytial virus,hRSV)是一种可以引起严重下呼吸道疾病的病原体,易感人群为婴幼儿、老年人及免疫力低下者。目前尚无针对RSV的疫苗和特异性抗病毒药物。20世纪60年代,用RSV的福尔马林全病毒灭活疫苗(FI-RSV)免疫的婴幼儿发生了免疫后RSV疾病增强的症状,其特征为免疫后当再次发生天然感染时会引起高热、支气管肺炎和哮喘,从而引发了更高的住院率,并最终导致两名FI-RSV免疫接种后感染RSV的幼童死亡。增强的RSV疾病(Enhanced RSV disease,ERD)主要表现为支气管周围以嗜酸性粒细胞为主的过量的单核细胞浸润以及非保护性抗体应答和细胞毒性T淋巴细胞功能异常等免疫反应。近年来,RSV研究领域正发生着重大变化,许多具有新颖设计的候选疫苗正在纷纷进入临床试验,因此我们要更加重视对ERD发生机制和临床特征的理解和分析。本文提供了对ERD发生机制的概括性描述,并对ERD作为新型候选疫苗的重要评价指标进行了讨论。     

呼吸道合胞病毒疫苗增强性疾病小鼠模型的建立与评价

呼吸道合胞病毒(respiratory syncytial virus,RSV)是导致婴幼儿严重下呼吸道感染的最重要病原体,但该病毒的灭活疫苗可引起RSV疫苗增强性疾病(RSV vaccine-enhanced disease,RVED),因此至今仍未研制出安全、有效的疫苗。RVED的发生机制目前仍不清楚。使用能有效模拟RVED的动物模型是探索RVED发生机制的主要手段,而本研究的目的就是建立能稳定模拟RVED表现的小鼠模型。将BALB/c小鼠分成3组,即甲醛灭活RSV疫苗接种组(FV组)、活RSV接种组(VV组)和对照组(BV组),并模拟自然感染对其攻毒。通过小鼠体重监测、肺组织苏木精-伊红染色、荧光定量聚合酶链反应(polymerase chain reaction,PCR)、流式细胞术等,观察FV组小鼠感染RSV后的病毒载量、肺部炎症和T细胞免疫状态。结果显示,与VV组和BV组相比,FV组小鼠RSV攻毒后的体重占初始体重百分比显著降低,肺部炎症最明显,且仅FV组出现支气管和毛细血管周围有大量淋巴细胞浸润及嗜酸性粒细胞浸润。荧光定量PCR显示,FV组小鼠的肺部RSV载量最低。流式细胞术显示,攻毒4d后FV组CD~(4+) T细胞数与其他两组相比显著增加,且CD~(4+) T细胞分泌的白细胞介素4(interleukin 4,IL-4)及IL-4/γ干扰素(interferonγ,IFN-γ)比值显著高于其他两组,而CD~(8+) T细胞分泌的肿瘤坏死因子α(tumor necrosis factorα,TNF-α)和IFN-γ低于VV组。结果提示,RVED小鼠呈现出Th2优势型免疫应答及CD~(8+) T细胞功能不足,模型初步建立成功,为RVED发生机制的探索和RSV疫苗的研发奠定了良好基础。     

婴幼儿呼吸道合胞病毒感染的治疗

呼吸道合胞病毒(respiratory syncytial virus RSV)是引起婴幼儿毛细支气管炎最重要的病原体。其主要临床表现为喘息。部分患儿可出现反复喘息发作而发展为哮喘。对RSV感染尚无特效治疗药物,仍然以支持对症治疗为主,目前的研究热点是中西医结合治疗,反义基因治疗,高渗盐水雾化吸入治疗等。     

Anti-IL-33 antibody treatment inhibits airway inflammation in a murine model of allergic asthma

Interleukin (IL)-33 is a recently described member of the IL-1 family and has been shown to induce production of T helper type 2 cytokines. In this study, an anti-IL-33 antibody was evaluated against pulmonary inflammation in mice sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin. The anti-IL-33 or a control antibody (150 μg/mouse) was given intraperitoneally as five doses before the sensitization and antigen challenge. Treatment with anti-IL-33 significantly reduced serum IgE secretion, the numbers of eosinophils and lymphocytes, and concentrations of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid compared with administration of a control antibody. Histological examination of lung tissue demonstrated that anti-IL-33 significantly inhibited allergen-induced lung eosinophilic inflammation and mucus hypersecretion. Our data demonstrate for the first time that anti-IL-33 antibody can prevent the development of asthma in a mouse model and indicate that blockade of IL-33 may be a new therapeutic strategy for allergic asthma.     

Respiratory syncytial virus predisposes mice to augmented allergic airway responses via IL-13-mediated mechanisms.

The development of severe childhood asthma may be influenced by several factors including environmental and infectious stimuli. The causal relationship between infectious viral responses, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and severe asthma during early childhood is unclear. In these studies, the ability for an initial RSV infection to exacerbate and promote a more severe asthmatic-type response was investigated by combining established murine models of disease. We examined the ability of RSV to induce exacerbation of allergic disease over a relatively long period, leading to development of severe airway responses including airway inflammation and hyperreactivity. The preferential production of IL-13 during a primary RSV infection appears to play a critical role for the exacerbation of cockroach allergen-induced disease. The depletion of IL-13 during RSV infections inhibited the exacerbation and acceleration of severe allergen-induced airway hyperreactivity. This was indicated by decreases in airway hyperreactivity and changes in lung chemokine production. These data suggest that the airway responses during asthma can be greatly affected by a previous RSV infection, even when infection occurs before allergen sensitization. Overall, infection of the airways with RSV can induce an IL-13-dependent change in airway function and promotes an environment that contributes to the development of severe allergic asthmatic responses.     

IL-5 and eosinophils are essential for the development of airway hyperresponsiveness following acute respiratory syncytial virus infection

Viral respiratory infections can cause bronchial hyperresponsiveness and exacerbate asthma. In mice, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, which induces an immune response dominated by IFN-gamma, results in airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and eosinophil influx into the airways, both of which are prevented by pretreatment with anti-IL-5 Ab. To delineate the role of IL-5, IL-4, and IFN-gamma in the development of RSV-induced AHR and lung eosinophilia, we tested the ability of mice deficient in each of these cytokines to develop these symptoms of RSV infection. Mice deficient in either IL-5, IL-4, or IFN-gamma were administered infectious RSV intranasally, and 6 days later, airway responsiveness to inhaled methacholine was assessed by barometric body plethysmography, and numbers of lung eosinophils and production of IFN-gamma, IL-4, and IL-5 by mononuclear cells from peribronchial lymph nodes were monitored. RSV infection resulted in airway eosinophilia and AHR in both IL-4- and IFN-gamma-deficient mice, but not in IL-5-deficient mice. Reconstitution of IL-5-deficient mice with IL-5 restored these responses and enhanced the responses in IL-4-deficient mice. Anti-VLA-4 (very late Ag-4) treatment prevented lung eosinophilia and AHR following RSV infection and IL-5 reconstitution. We conclude that in response to RSV, IL-5 is essential for the influx of eosinophils into the lung and that eosinophils in turn are critical for the development of AHR. IFN-gamma and IL-4 are not essential for these responses to RSV infection.     

IL-13 regulates Th17 secretion of IL-17A in an IL-10-dependent manner

IL-13 is a central mediator of airway hyperresponsiveness and mucus expression, both hallmarks of asthma. IL-13 is found in the sputum of patients with asthma; therefore, IL-13 is an attractive drug target for treating asthma. We have shown previously that IL-13 inhibits Th17 cell production of IL-17A and IL-21 in vitro. Th17 cells are associated with autoimmune diseases, host immune responses, and severe asthma. In this study, we extend our in vitro findings and determine that IL-13 increases IL-10 production from Th17-polarized cells and that IL-13-induced IL-10 production negatively regulates the secretion of IL-17A and IL-21. To determine if IL-13 negatively regulates lung IL-17A expression via an IL-10-dependent mechanism in vivo, we used a model of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) strain A2 infection in STAT1 knockout (KO) mice that increases lung IL-17A and IL-13 expression, cytokines not produced during RSV infection in wild-type mice. To test the hypothesis that IL-13 negatively regulates lung IL-17A expression, we created STAT1/IL-13 double KO (DKO) mice. We found that RSV-infected STAT1/IL-13 DKO mice had significantly greater lung IL-17A expression compared with that of STAT1 KO mice and that increased IL-17A expression was abrogated by anti-IL-10 Ab treatment. RSV-infected STAT1/IL-13 DKO mice also had increased neutrophil infiltration compared with that of RSV-infected STAT1 KO mice. Neutralizing IL-10 increased the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the lungs of STAT1 KO mice but not STAT1/IL-13 DKO mice. These findings are vital to understanding the potential side effects of therapeutics targeting IL-13. Inhibiting IL-13 may decrease IL-10 production and increase IL-17A production, thus potentiating IL-17A-associated diseases.     

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease Is Mediated by Age-Variable IL-33

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of infant hospitalizations and severe RSV infections are a significant risk factor for childhood asthma. The pathogenic mechanisms responsible for RSV induced immunopathophysiology remain elusive. Using an age-appropriate mouse model of RSV, we show that IL-33 plays a critical role in the immunopathogenesis of severe RSV, which is associated with higher group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) specifically in neonates. Infection with RSV induced rapid IL-33 expression and an increase in ILC2 numbers in the lungs of neonatal mice; this was not observed in adult mice. Blocking IL-33 with antibodies or using an IL-33 receptor knockout mouse during infection was sufficient to inhibit RSV immunopathogenesis (i.e., airway hyperresponsiveness, Th2 inflammation, eosinophilia, and mucus hyperproduction); whereas administration of IL-33 to adult mice during RSV infection was sufficient to induce RSV disease. Additionally, elevated IL-33 and IL-13 were observed in nasal aspirates from infants hospitalized with RSV; these cytokines declined during convalescence. In summary, IL-33 is necessary, either directly or indirectly, to induce ILC2s and the Th2 biased immunopathophysiology observed following neonatal RSV infection. This study provides a mechanism involving IL-33 and ILC2s in RSV mediated human asthma.     

Differential cytokine mRNA expression in Dermatophagoides farinae allergen-sensitized and respiratory syncytial virus-infected mice

The interaction between mite allergen sensitization and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection at the level of cytokine mRNA expression was examined in a murine model in the present study. Primary RSV infection enhances expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IFN-gamma, and eotaxin in the lung and upregulates the expression of Th2-like cytokines IL-10 and IL-13 in the spleen in BALB/c mice. Mite antigen-sensitized and RSV-infected (ASRSV) mice show enhanced (P < 0.05) total serum IgE compared to antigen-sensitized mice. However, the levels of viral mRNA in the lung tissues are comparable between RSV-infected and ASRSV mice. It is concluded that compartmentalization of cytokine expression following RSV infection plays a role in the augmentation of Th2-like and IgE antibody response to RSV.     

Roflumilast Inhibits Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Human Differentiated Bronchial Epithelial Cells

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes acute exacerbations in COPD and asthma. RSV infects bronchial epithelial cells (HBE) that trigger RSV associated lung pathology. This study explores whether the phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor Roflumilast N-oxide (RNO), alters RSV infection of well-differentiated HBE (WD-HBE) in vitro. WD-HBE were RSV infected in the presence or absence of RNO (0.1-100 nM). Viral infection (staining of F and G proteins, nucleoprotein RNA level), mRNA of ICAM-1, ciliated cell markers (digital high speed videomicroscopy, β-tubulin immunofluorescence, Foxj1 and Dnai2 mRNA), Goblet cells (PAS), mRNA of MUC5AC and CLCA1, mRNA and protein level of IL-13, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα, formation of H₂O₂ and the anti-oxidative armamentarium (mRNA of Nrf2, HO-1, GPx; total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured at day 10 or 15 post infection. RNO inhibited RSV infection of WD-HBE, prevented the loss of ciliated cells and markers, reduced the increase of MUC5AC and CLCA1 and inhibited the increase of IL-13, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα and ICAM-1. Additionally RNO reversed the reduction of Nrf2, HO-1 and GPx mRNA levels and consequently restored the TAC and reduced the H₂O₂ formation. RNO inhibits RSV infection of WD-HBE cultures and mitigates the cytopathological changes associated to this virus.     

白细胞介素23在呼吸道合胞病毒感染致Th1、Th2及Th17细胞分化中的作用及机制

本研究旨在探讨白细胞介素23(interleukin 23,IL-23)在呼吸道合胞病毒(respiratory syncytial virus,RSV)感染支气管上皮细胞BEAS-2B后对Th1、Th2和Th17细胞分化的影响及作用机制。将RSV感染BEAS-2B后的上清液与淋巴细胞共孵育,并分别阻断IL-23受体(IL-23 receptor,IL-23R)、IL-23p19亚基及p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase,p38 MAPK)信号通路。应用酶联免疫吸附试验(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)检测上清液中细胞因子γ干扰素(interferon γ,IFN-γ)、IL-4、IL-17的浓度。同时,应用实时聚合酶链反应(polymerase chain reaction,PCR)检测相关转录因子(t-bet、gata3、rorγt)和信号转导子(stat4、stat6、stat3)的表达。结果显示,RSV感染后IFN-γ、IL-4和IL-17蛋白表达上调,转录因子及信号转导子的表达也有所增加。阻断IL-23和p38 MAPK信号通路后,Th1、Th2和Th7细胞分泌的细胞因子及转录因子表达均明显下降。结果提示,阻断IL-23后可在基因转导层面抑制RSV感染上皮细胞后诱导的Th1、Th2和Th17细胞分化,此过程可能与p38 MAPK信号通路有关。     

Overexpression of interleukin-4 delays virus clearance in mice infected with respiratory syncytial virus.

Although interleukin-4 (IL-4) expression has been implicated in vaccine-enhanced respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease, its role in mediating the immune response to primary RSV infection remains unclear. To assess the effect of IL-4 production on typical RSV infection, transgenic mice which either overexpress or fail to express IL-4 were challenged intranasally with RSV and their responses were compared to those of the parent strains. IL-4-deficient mice eliminated virus from the lung as quickly as did C57BL/6 controls. In contrast, mice which constitutively overexpress IL-4 showed delayed virus clearance compared with mice of the FVB/N control strain, although peak viral titers did not differ. IL-4 overexpression increased the magnitude of the subsequent antibody response. Lung lymphocytes harvested from IL-4-overexpressing mice post-RSV challenge showed diminished RSV-specific cytolytic activity compared with controls. Both IL-4-deficient and IL-4-overexpressing strains resisted rechallenge. These data imply that constitutive IL-4 expression delays or suppresses the development of a virus-specific cytotoxic lymphocyte population important in clearing primary RSV infection.     

Secreted Respiratory Syncytial Virus G Glycoprotein Induces Interleukin-5 (IL-5), IL-13, and Eosinophilia by an IL-4-Independent Mechanism

The attachment glycoprotein G of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is produced as both membrane-anchored and secreted forms by infected cells. Immunization with secreted RSV G (Gs) or formalin-inactivated alumprecipitated RSV (FI-RSV) predisposes mice to immune responses involving a Th2 cell phenotype which results in more severe illness and pathology, decreased viral clearance, and increased pulmonary eosinophilia upon subsequent RSV challenge. These responses are associated with increased interleukin-4 (IL-4) production in FI-RSV-primed mice, and the responses are IL-4 dependent. RNase protection assays demonstrated that similar levels of IL-4 mRNA were induced after RSV challenge in mice primed with vaccinia virus expressing Gs (vvGs) or a construct expressing only membrane-anchored G (vvGr). However, upon RSV challenge, vvGs-primed mice produced significantly greater levels of IL-5 and IL-13 mRNA and protein than vvGr-primed mice. Administration of neutralizing anti-IL-4 antibody 11.B11 during vaccinia virus priming did not alter the levels of vvGs-induced IL-5, IL-13, pulmonary eosinophilia, illness, or RSV titers upon RSV challenge, although immunoglobulin G (IgG) isotype profiles revealed that more IgG2a was produced. vvGs-priming of IL-4-deficient mice demonstrated that G-induced airway eosinophilia was not dependent on IL-4. In contrast, airway eosinophilia induced by FI-RSV priming was significantly reduced in IL-4-deficient mice. Thus we conclude that, in contrast to FI-RSV, the secreted form of RSV G can directly induce IL-5 and IL-13, producing pulmonary eosinophilia and enhanced illness in RSV-challenged mice by an IL-4-independent mechanism.