Effects of Corticosteroids on RANTES Production in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cell with Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Lee, Eun Jeong; Jeoun, Hye Jin; Yoon, Jong Seo; Lee, Yoon; Han, Ji Whan; Lee, Joon Sung

Abstract

PURPOSE
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which is the most common cause of bronchiolitis in infants is an important triggering factor of asthma exacerbation in children. This virus stimulates chemokine such as regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) production by human airway epithelial cells in vitro. Corticosteroids are effective medications for prevention of asthma exacerbation. We examined whether the inhibitory effect of corticosteroid on RANTES production in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) infected with RSV varies according to the kinds of corticosteroids and the timing of corticosteroid treatment in vitro. METHODS: In the pretreatment group, BEAS-2B cells were pretreated with budesonide (BUD), fluticasone propionate (FP), or methylprednisolone (MP), and then the cells were infected with RSV. The supernatants of the cell culture were collected after virus infection. In the posttreatment group, BEAS-2B cells were infected with RSV, and then treated with corticosteroid, and the supernatants of the cell culture were collected. RANTES levels in each of the collected supernatant were determined. RESULTS: In the pretreatment group, the strength of each corticosteroid's inhibitory effect on RANTES product was not significantly different. In the posttreatment group, the strength of the inhibitory effect on the production of RANTES was in the order of BUD> MP=FP. BUD have more inhibitory effect on RANTES production at posttreatment group. CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effect of corticosteroid on the production of RANTES in BEAS-2B cells infected with RSV varied widely according to the kinds of corticosteroids and the timing of the corticosteroid treatment.