Increased number of T cells committed to IL‐5 production after respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection of human mononuclear cells in vitro

We examined changes in the cytokine profile of T cells induced by in vitro infection with RSV. Isolated mononuclear cells from 27 healthy adults and six infants were infected with RSV at a concentration of 3 MOI (multiplicity of infection). After 48 h cells were restimulated with phorbol ester and ionomycin in the presence of monensin for 5 h. The intracellular expression of viral antigen, the cytokines IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5, interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), and the expression of surface markers were assessed by immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometry. There was a significant (P