RSV puts thousands of infants in intensive care every year, but effective treatments are still very limited.
A new study led by Dr Claire Smith at University College London (UCL) and Great Ormond Street Hospital has uncovered why respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) often causes more severe illness in infants than in adults, offering promising new insights that could lead to more effective treatments.
Published in Nature Communications and funded by Animal Free Research UK and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the research involved the development of an innovative laboratory model of infant airways. Using this model, the team was able to investigate how RSV affects babies’ lungs and immune responses differently from adults, helping to explain why infants are particularly vulnerable to severe disease.
The breakthrough model also provides scientists with a powerful new tool for testing potential RSV therapies before they reach patients, helping to accelerate the development of safer and more effective treatments for young children.
Dr Claire Smith (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health), who led the study, said:
“This model allows us to watch early immune responses unfold and study them in a human setting that reflects the infant airway. That’s something animal models often struggle to capture, especially when it comes to age-specific effects.”
Carla Owen, CEO of Animal Free Research UK, said:
“Dr Smith and Dr Palor’s groundbreaking study shows the power of human-specific research to make breakthroughs for patients. Their sophisticated human model brings hope to families without using animals. This is science at is best. We are proud to have funded this innovative work, and we look forward to seeing the impact this will have on improving treatment for babies affected by RSV.”
Read the paper published July 2026 by Nature Communications: Neutrophil myeloperoxidase as a functional biomarker for RSV severity: implications for in vitro therapeutic screening
Read the official press release from University College London.