Rhinovirus (RV)
infections are a major cause of exacerbations in patients with
asthma. Experimental RV challenges can provide insight into the pathophysiology of viral exacerbations. Previous reports, investigating mild or moderate
asthma patients, have shown an upregulation in type 2
inflammation post RV
infection, however, studies specifically involving
asthma patients taking inhaled
corticosteroids have concentrated on symptoms and lung function, rather than the inflammatory response. Eleven moderate
asthma patients were inoculated with RV. Cold symptoms and
asthma control were assessed at baseline and post
infection. Nasal epithelial lining fluid and bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were collected at baseline and 4 days post
infection for assessment of inflammatory
proteins. Patients suffered increased cold symptoms and decreased
asthma control within 7 days of
infection.
Antiviral mechanisms were induced following inoculation, with increases in
interferon -α, β, γ and λ, as well as CXCL10 and CXCL11. Type 2 inflammatory
cytokines were also significantly elevated post RV
infection in both nasal and bronchial samples. In BAL, epithelial derived IL-25 and
IL-33 levels strongly correlated with Th2
cytokines,
IL-4,
IL-5 and
IL-13. We show how experimental rhinovirus challenge regulates lung and nasal
biomarkers in
asthma patients taking inhaled
corticosteroids. These
biomarkers could be used to evaluate the effects of novel drugs for
asthma.