Mechanisms underlying acute changes in lung function and airway responsiveness following respiratory viral infections

本研究将探讨呼吸道病毒感染期间常见流感病毒（流感）和呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）引起气道反应性增加的机制。呼吸道病毒感染改变肺功能，增加气道反应性。此外，生命早期的呼吸道病毒感染是随后发生哮喘的危险因素。对此负责的机制尚不清楚。感染病毒和宿主因素，如感染年龄、性别和遗传倾向，可能都很重要。结果和意义：这些研究将使用我们实验室开发的尖端技术，全面评估急性病毒性呼吸道感染对肺功能和气道反应性的影响。这些结果将为这些感染如何导致肺部疾病提供新的见解，并可能为预防这些常见呼吸道病毒感染的不良影响的新方法提供线索。

This study will investigate the mechanisms responsible for the increased airway responsiveness seen during respiratory viral infections to the common viruses of influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Respiratory viral infections alter lung function and increase airway responsiveness in man. In addition, respiratory viral infections early in life are a risk factor for the subsequent development of asthma. The mechanisms responsible for this are unknown. Both the infecting virus and host factors, such as age of infection, gender and genetic predisposition, are likely to be important. OUTCOMES and SIGNIFICANCE: These studies will provide a comprehensive assessment of the effects of acute viral respiratory infections on lung function and airway responsiveness using cutting edge techniques developed in our labs. The results will provide new insights into how these infections cause lung disease and may provide clues for new approaches to prevent the adverse effects of these common respiratory viral infections.