Host and Viral Factors in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Peter Mastrangelo; Richard G Hegele

doi:10.1007/s40124-013-0019-3

Host and Viral Factors in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Curr Pediatr Rep. 2013;1(3):149-157. doi: 10.1007/s40124-013-0019-3. Epub 2013 May 15.

Authors

Peter Mastrangelo¹, Richard G Hegele^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ 1Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, 6231-1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8 Canada.
² 2Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada.

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major worldwide pathogen for which there is still no effective vaccine or antiviral treatment available, and immunoprophylaxis with RSV-specific antibodies (e.g., palivizumab) is used in limited clinical settings. In this review, we discuss virus-host interactions relevant to RSV pathobiology and how advances in cell and systems biology have accelerated knowledge in this area. We also highlight recent advances in understanding the relationship between RSV bronchiolitis and sequelae of recurrent wheezing and asthma, new findings into an intriguing interaction between RSV and air pollution, and exciting developments toward the goal of realizing a safe and effective RSV vaccine.

Keywords: Air pollution; Allergy; Asthma; Nucleolin; Respiratory syncytial virus; Systems biology; Vaccinology; Viral pathogenesis; Virus persistence; Virus–host interactions.