Farm dust reduces viral load in human bronchial epithelial cells by increasing barrier function and antiviral responses

Early-life respiratory infections caused by rhinoviruses (RVs) and/or respiratory syncytial virus can lead to recurrent wheezing and constitute one of the most dominant risk factors for the development of asthma.1 Multiple studies show that growing up on farms is associated with protection against allergies, rhinitis, and asthma.2 Similarly, farm children also suffer less from virus-induced wheezing in the first years of life.2 An increased susceptibility to RVs and respiratory syncytial virus could be related to a weakened epithelial barrier function facilitating viral penetration and/or reduced antiviral responses, such as, a lower IFN production.