Interferon-induced epithelial response to rhinovirus 16 in asthma relates to inflammation and FEV1

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by periodic worsening of asthma symptoms (loss of asthma control or, when more severe, exacerbation), which is often triggered by viral respiratory tract infections, particularly rhinovirus infections.1 The leading explanations for virus-induced worsening of asthma are an inadequate antiviral response,2 an exaggerated TH2 response,3 or both. Impaired production of innate interferons2 by primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBECs) in？vitro and that of type 1 interferons by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cells from asthmatic patients4 have been reported, although this was not confirmed by others.