Nasal cathelicidin is expressed in early life and is increased during mild, but not severe respiratory syncytial virus infection

Sofia Sintoris; Justyna M Binkowska; Jonathan L Gillan; Roy P Zuurbier; Jonathan Twynam-Perkins; Maartje Kristensen; Lauren Melrose; Paula Lusaretta Parga; Alicia Ruiz Rodriguez; Mei Ling Chu; Sara R van Boeckel; Joanne G Wildenbeest; Dawn M. E Bowdish; Andrew J Currie; Ryan S Thwaites; Jurgen Schwarze; Marlies A van Houten; James P Boardman; Steve Cunningham; Debby Bogaert; Donald J Davidson

doi:10.1038/s41598-024-64446-1

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Nasal cathelicidin is expressed in early life and is increased during mild, but not severe respiratory syncytial virus infection

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Nasal cathelicidin is expressed in early life and is increased during mild, but not severe respiratory syncytial virus infection

Sofia Sintoris, Justyna M Binkowska, Jonathan L Gillan, Roy P Zuurbier, Jonathan Twynam-Perkins, Maartje Kristensen, Lauren Melrose, Paula Lusaretta Parga, Alicia Ruiz Rodriguez, Mei Ling Chu, …

Scientific reports, Vol.14(1), 13928

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-64446-1

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Abstract

Antiviral activity

Cathelicidins

Community composition

Infants

Infections

Inflammation

Microbiota

Morbidity

Peptides

Respiratory syncytial virus

Respiratory tract

Respiratory tract infection

Respiratory syncytial virus is the major cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections in young children, causing extensive mortality and morbidity globally, with limited therapeutic or preventative options. Cathelicidins are innate immune antimicrobial host defence peptides and have antiviral activity against RSV. However, upper respiratory tract cathelicidin expression and the relationship with host and environment factors in early life, are unknown. Infant cohorts were analysed to characterise early life nasal cathelicidin levels, revealing low expression levels in the first week of life, with increased levels at 9 months which are comparable to 2-year-olds and healthy adults. No impact of prematurity on nasal cathelicidin expression was observed, nor were there effects of sex or birth mode, however, nasal cathelicidin expression was lower in the first week-of-life in winter births. Nasal cathelicidin levels were positively associated with specific inflammatory markers and demonstrated to be associated with microbial community composition. Importantly, levels of nasal cathelicidin expression were elevated in infants with mild RSV infection, but, in contrast, were not upregulated in infants hospitalised with severe RSV infection. These data suggest important relationships between nasal cathelicidin, upper airway microbiota, inflammation, and immunity against RSV infection, with interventional potential.

Details

Title: Nasal cathelicidin is expressed in early life and is increased during mild, but not severe respiratory syncytial virus infection
Authors/Creators: Sofia Sintoris - Centre for Inflammation Research
Justyna M Binkowska - Centre for Inflammation Research
Jonathan L Gillan - Centre for Inflammation Research
Roy P Zuurbier - Spaarne Gasthuis
Jonathan Twynam-Perkins - Centre for Inflammation Research
Maartje Kristensen - Wilhelmina Children's Hospital
Lauren Melrose - University of Edinburgh
Paula Lusaretta Parga - Centre for Inflammation Research
Alicia Ruiz Rodriguez - Centre for Inflammation Research
Mei Ling Chu
Sara R van Boeckel - Centre for Inflammation Research
Joanne G Wildenbeest - Wilhelmina Children's Hospital
Dawn M. E Bowdish - St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
Andrew J Currie
Ryan S Thwaites - Imperial College London
Jurgen Schwarze - Centre for Inflammation Research
Marlies A van Houten - Spaarne Ziekenhuis
James P Boardman - MRC Centre for Reproductive Health
Steve Cunningham - Centre for Inflammation Research
Debby Bogaert - Wilhelmina Children's Hospital
Donald J Davidson - Murdoch University
Publication Details: Scientific reports, Vol.14(1), 13928
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
Identifiers: 991005678070107891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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