JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Human rhinoviruses (HRVs) are the leading cause of upper respiratory tract infections (URIs), responsible for over half of all such infections. Infection rates among young children can reach as high as 8–12 episodes per year. While HRV infections typically result in mild common colds, they can also lead to more severe respiratory conditions, often in conjunction with bacterial co-infections. Additionally, HRVs are implicated in the exacerbation of obstructive respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Objective:

A) Determination of the population-wide coverage of HRV-specific T cell responses; B) Characterization of HRV-specific T cell recall responses in diseases cohorts compared to age-match healthy controls, and C) Comparative analysis and identification of biomarkers of protection and susceptibility within disease cohorts.

Methods:

Participants with asthma and COPD, aged 5-15 and 40-70 years, respectively, will be recruited alongside healthy age-matched controls. Blood samples will be collected following informed consent from parents or adult participants, as applicable. Clinical, demographic and Immunological and genetic responses will be assessed both prior to and following in vitro stimulation with a pool of HRV epitopes. Flow cytometry and functional assays will be used to analyse T-cell responses to HRV epitopes in the context of obstructive respiratory diseases.

Results:

This study was funded in January 2023 by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain. The primary aim of the study was achieved in 2023. The secondary and tertiary aims are ongoing with the recruitment of the participants.

Conclusions:

Here, we present an ethically approved study protocol for an observational and exploratory study investigating a novel epitope-based vaccine targeting HRV, with a focus on paediatric asthma and adult COPD cohort populations.