Impaired HPV-specific T-cell response in juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis patients

Immunologic dysfunction is one of the most important mechanisms underlying the initiation and development of JORRP. The study aimed to explore whether HPV-specific T-cell response was impaired in JORRP patients. We found JORRP patients had a Th2-biased cytokine profile correlated with disease severity in peripheral system. JORRP patients had an increased memory T cells and a reduced naive T cells in circulation. Upon HPV6/11 antigens stimulation, T cells from JORRP patients exhibited a greater activation profile. Of note, JORRP patients presented with a greater number of IL-10- and IL-4-secreting HPV6/11 antigen responding cells than that of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha secreting responders. Furthermore, in response to HPV6/11 antigen stimulation, JORRP patients showed a reduced level of cell proliferation, an increased level of apoptosis and higher percentage of the differentiated T cells expressing the replicative senescent cell marker CD57. Impaired HPV-specific T-cell responses could be partly responsible for JORRP development.