Human rhinovirus infection of human bronchial epithelial cells results in migration of human airway smooth muscle cells

Background Young children who experience human rhinovirus (HRV)-associated wheezing illnesses are more likely to develop subsequent asthma [1]. This has led to the hypothesis that HRV infection may be involved in the pathogenesis of airway remodeling in asthma [2]. Increased airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass, in which ASM cells are in close proximity to the subepithelial region, is a characteristic feature of airway remodeling [3]. We have shown that HRV infection of human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells, both in vitro and in vivo, results in the upregulation of airway remodeling mediators [4]. We now sought to determine whether HRV infection of HBE cells is associated with airway smooth muscle (ASM) chemotaxis.