Mast Cell Gene Expression in Preschool Children with Problematic Wheeze and Rhinovirus

Abstract

Based on bulk RNA sequencing of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) buffy coat from preschool children with problematic wheeze, we found that tryptase was the most upregulated gene in those with concomitant rhinovirus (RV). We hypothesized that in this population, RV infection would define a clinical phenotype of those at risk for developing asthma, manifested in part with increased mast cell gene expression.