Distinct patterns of T- and B-cell immunity to respiratory syncytial virus induced by individual viral proteins.

Mice were infected with respiratory syncytial (RS) virus or with recombinant vaccinia viruses (rVV) expressing individual RS virus proteins. rVV-G, rVV-F and, to a lesser extent, rVV-P induced ELISA-binding anti-RS virus antibodies; those induced by rVV-P were non-neutralizing. Different antigens induced helper T cells with distinct cytokine secretion profiles: some released IL-2, and others predominantly IL-4 and 5. Virus-specific cytotoxicity was induced by infection with RS virus, rVV-F or rVV-22K. Different RS virus proteins (given in the same route and form) therefore prime for functionally distinct T-cell activities. These patterns of virus-specific immunity may help explain the pathogenicity of RS virus vaccines, and help in the design of protective, non-pathogenic vaccines in the future.