INFLUENCE OF THE HUMORAL IMMUNE-RESPONSE TO THE PATHOGENESIS OF RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS (RSV) INFECTIONS

Direct cytopathic effects and components of the humoral immune response may contribute to the pathogenesis of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. Using synthetic peptides as an analytical tool, it could be demonstrated that the primary immune response of young children is directed against other epitopes compared to the situation in adults. RSV-specific antibodies are not only considered to possess protective properties but also to contribute to the pathogenesis of the infection. In our experiments, human adherent cells from lavage could be infected by RSV more effectively in the presence of murine monoclonal antibodies specific for RSV surface proteins.