Scientists identify immune cell that fights cold virus in the lungs

Immune cells known to fight the flu in mice may also help fight RSV - a virus that is one of the main causes of the common cold in humans. This was the conclusion of a new study from Imperial College London in the UK, published in the journal Nature Communications.
The researchers also suggest nose sprays could be the most effective way to deliver a vaccine against the virus. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the main cause of the common cold. It is also one of the main causes of hospitalization among children and severe lung infection in the elderly.
RSV spreads through coughs and sneezes and infects every child before they reach their second birthday. It may also be responsible for up to 10% of visits to the GP by the elderly in the UK. Worldwide, RSV infection results in up to 200,000 infant deaths every year. And among the elderly, it is almost as dangerous as flu.
The virus infects the airways and lungs. In healthy people, this can lead to a heavy cold, the type that perhaps makes you miss work for a couple of days, says lead investigator Dr. Christopher Chiu, a specialist in infectious diseases and microbiology, who adds: "However, we are mainly concerned about how dangerous it can be to the young and old, where it can cause lung infections such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia." In the new study, the team found that immune cells called resident memory T cells are particularly active during RSV infections.
Resident memory T cells are surveillance cells that look out for invaders and then raise the alarm for other immune cells to come and kill them. Previous research has already shown that resident memory T cells help fight influenza in mice, but this is the first time they have been shown to help fight RSV in humans.

Medical News Today

Scientists identify immune cell that fights cold virus in the lungs

Immune cells known to fight the flu in mice may also help fight RSV - a virus that is one of the main causes of the common cold in humans. This was the conclusion of a new study from Imperial College London in the UK, published in the journal Nature Communications. The researchers also suggest nose sprays could be the most effective way to deliver a vaccine against the virus. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the main cause of the common cold. It is also one of the main causes of hospitalization among children and severe lung infection in the elderly. RSV spreads through coughs and sneezes and infects every child before they reach their second birthday. It may also be responsible for up to 10% of visits to the GP by the elderly in the UK. Worldwide, RSV infection results in up to 200,000 infant deaths every year. And among the elderly, it is almost as dangerous as flu. The virus infects the airways and lungs. In healthy people, this can lead to a heavy cold, the type that perhaps makes you miss work for a couple of days, says lead investigator Dr. Christopher Chiu, a specialist in infectious diseases and microbiology, who adds: However, we are mainly concerned about how dangerous it can be to the young and old, where it can cause lung infections such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. In the new study, the team found that immune cells called resident memory T cells are particularly active during RSV infections. Resident memory T cells are surveillance cells that look out for invaders and then raise the alarm for other immune cells to come and kill them. Previous research has already shown that resident memory T cells help fight influenza in mice, but this is the first time they have been shown to help fight RSV in humans. Medical News Today