
Rhinoviruses (RVs) are major triggers of asthma attacks, causing up to 85% of acute episodes in children and 50% in adults. They can hinder airway relaxation and reduce the effectiveness of current asthma treatments. Through experiments on human lung tissues and cells, studies have found that a specific RV type, RV-C15, lessens the ability of the airways to relax in response to certain medications. This effect was seen in lung tissue and isolated muscle cells. Even inactivated RV-C15 impaired relaxation, suggesting its mechanism isn't tied to viral replication. More research is needed to uncover the factors responsible for this loss of airway function.
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