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Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae protects human airway epithelial cells from a subsequent respiratory syncytial virus challenge
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae protects human airway epithelial cells from a subsequent respiratory syncytial virus challenge

Stacey M Hartwig, Margaret Ketterer, Michael A Apicella and Steven M Varga
Virology (New York, N.Y.), Vol.498, pp.128-135
11/2016
DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2016.08.020
PMCID: PMC5017537
PMID: 27573069
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virol.2016.08.020View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the common commensal and opportunistic pathogen, non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) both serve as a frequent cause of respiratory infection in children. Although it is well established that some respiratory viruses can increase host susceptibility to secondary bacterial infections, few studies have examined how commensal bacteria could influence a secondary viral response. Here, we examined the impact of NTHi exposure on a subsequent RSV infection of human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE14o-). Co-culture of 16HBE14o- cells with NTHi 2019 resulted in inhibition of viral gene expression following RSV infection. 16HBE14o- cells co-cultured with heat-killed NTHi 2019 failed to protect against an RSV infection, indicating that protection requires live bacteria. However, NTHi did not inhibit influenza A virus replication, indicating that NTHi-mediated protection was RSV-specific. Our data demonstrates that prior exposure to a commensal bacterium such as NTHi can elicit protection against a subsequent RSV infection.
human bronchial epithelial cells respiratory syncytial virus Haemophilus influenzae

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