Human T cells efficiently control RSV infection

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection causes significant morbidity and mortality in infants, immunocompromised individuals, and older individuals. There is an urgent need for effective antivirals and vaccines for high-risk individuals. We used 2 complementary in vivo models to analyze RSV-associated human lung pathology and human immune correlates of protection. RSV infection resulted in widespread human lung epithelial damage, a proinflammatory innate immune response, and elicited a natural adaptive human immune response that conferred protective immunity. We demonstrated a key role for human T cells in controlling RSV infection. Specifically, primed human CD8+ T cells or CD4+ T cells effectively and independently control RSV replication in human lung tissue in the absence of an RSV-specific antibody response. These preclinical data support the development of RSV vaccines, which also elicit effective T cell responses to improve RSV vaccine efficacy.

Automated summary

RSV infection causes severe morbidity and mortality in high-risk groups. The study demonstrated the extensive lung damage, proinflammatory immune response and protective adaptive immune response against RSV infection. Human T cells, specifically primed CD8+ T cells or CD4+ T cells, played a key role in controlling RSV replication in the absence of RSV-specific antibodies. These findings support the development of RSV vaccines to improve efficacy by inducing effective T cell responses.