Caspase-1 Independent Viral Clearance and Adaptive Immunity Against Mucosal Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is recognized by the innate immune system through Toll like receptors (TLRs) and retinoic acid inducible gene I. These pathways lead to the activation of type I interferons and resistance to infection. In contrast to TLRs, very few studies have examined the role of NOD-like receptors in viral recognition and induction of adaptive immune responses to RSV. Caspase-1 plays an essential role in the immune response via the maturation of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. However, the role of caspase-1 in RSV infection in vivo is unknown. We demonstrate that RSV infection induces IL-1β secretion and that caspase-1 deficiency in bone marrow derived dendritic cells leads to defective IL-1β production, while normal RSV viral clearance and T cell responses are observed in caspase-1 deficient mice following respiratory infection with RSV. The frequencies of IFN-γ producing or RSV specific T cells in lungs from caspase-1 deficient mice are not impaired. In addition, we demonstrate that caspase-1 deficient neonatal or young mice also exhibit normal immune responses. Furthermore, we find that IL-1R deficient mice infected with RSV exhibit normal Th1 and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) immune responses. Collectively, these results demonstrate that in contrast to TLR pathways, caspase-1 might not play a central role in the induction of Th1 and CTL immune responses to RSV.