Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Triggers Epithelial HMGB1 Release as a Damage-Associated Molecular Pattern Promoting a Monocytic Inflammatory Response

Abstract

RSV is a major cause of serious lower respiratory tract infections in young children and causes severe respiratory morbidity and mortality in the elderly. In addition, to date there is no effective treatment or vaccine available for RSV infection. The mechanisms responsible for RSV-induced acute airway disease and associated long-term consequences remain largely unknown. The oxidative stress response in the airways plays a major role in the pathogenesis of RSV. HMGB1 is a ubiquitous redox-sensitive multifunctional protein that serves as both a DNA regulatory protein and an extracellular cytokine signaling molecule that promotes airway inflammation as a damage-associated molecular pattern. This study investigated the mechanism of action of HMGB1 in RSV infection with the aim of identifying new inflammatory pathways at the molecular level that may be amenable to therapeutic interventions.