PI4KIIIβ inhibition reduces rhinovirus associated cell shedding and ciliary dysfunction

Background Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience respiratory exacerbations, many of which are associated with rhinoviruses. Current treatment strategies do not target the pathogenic rhinovirus trigger. Research question What is the immediate effect of rhinovirus on the ciliated respiratory epithelium and can viral replication and epithelial toxicity be reduced by targeted PI4KIIIβ inhibition. Methods Short (24h) and longer (7 days) rhinovirus infection were explored in primary ciliated airway epithelial cultures from multiple healthy and COPD patients using high-speed video microscopy, viral titration assays and immunofluorescence studies. Ciliated epithelial cultures were pre-treated with a PI4KIIIβ (GSK’533) blocker prior to infection to assess efficacy against rhinovirus. Cytokine and chemokine production were assessed by multiplex immunoassays. Results Within hours of infection rhinovirus co-localised with ciliated cells causing extensive apoptosis-associated shedding of predominantly ciliated cells within 24 hours. Viral replication that peaked at day 1 and cleared by day 7, was associated with dramatic loss of ciliated cells confirmed by reduced ciliary activity and ciliary DNAI2 protein expression. Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) of remaining cilia was significantly reduced by day 7 in cultures from COPD. Infection was partly dependent on PI4KIIIβ with the GSK’533 blocker reducing viral replication while preserving ciliary activity. High levels of pro-inflammatory mediators were secreted by infected cells. Conclusion Decreased ciliation due to rhinovirus infection is likely to impair mucociliary clearance in healthy individuals and COPD patients, contributing to the pathophysiology of COPD exacerbations. PI4KIIIβ inhibition blocks viral replication, helping to preserve ciliary activity. Take home message Rhinovirus replication in the healthy and COPD respiratory epithelium is mediated by PI4KIIIβ and intracellular PI4P platform formation. Inhibition of PI4KIIIβ reduced viral replication and ciliated cell loss. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.