IL-17A plays a critical role in RSV infection in children and mice

Background IL-17A is a pleiotropic cytokine and intimately associated with asthma, but its role in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is conflicting in the literature. Methods Children hospitalized in the respiratory department with RSV infection during RSV pandemic season of 2018–2020 were included. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected for pathogen and cytokines determination. In the murine model, RSV intranasal administrations were performed in wild-type and IL-17A-/- mice. Leukocytes and cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), lung histopathology, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) were measured. RORγt mRNA and IL-23R mRNA were semi-quantified by qPCR. Results IL-17A increased significantly in RSV-infected children and was positively associated with pneumonia severity. In the murine model, IL-17A significantly increased in BALF of mice with RSV infection. Airway inflammation, lung tissue damage and AHR were significantly alleviated in wild-type mice following IL-17A neutralization and in the IL-17A-/- mice. IL-17A decreased by removing CD4 + T cells but increased by depleting CD8 + T cells. IL-6, IL-21, RORγt mRNA and IL-23R mRNA dramatically increased in parallel with the rise of IL-17A. Conclusions IL-17A contributes to the airway dysfunctions induced by RSV in children and murine. CD3 + CD4 + T cells are its major cellular sources and the IL-6/IL-21-IL-23R-RORγt signaling pathway might participate in its regulation.