Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza A virus (IAV) interplay with the type I and III interferon (IFN) responses in the respiratory epithelium

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Influenza A viruses (IAV) are major Public Health burdens, causing together worldwide morbidity and mortality across all age ranges. Respiratory viruses primarily enter and are transmitted through the upper respiratory tract, the respiratory epithelium being the primary target of RSV and IAV. Airway mucosal immunity, having type III interferons (IFN III) among its key players, is therefore the first barrier of defense against RSV and IAV infection and transmission. However, being discovered decades later than type I IFNs, the specific mechanisms underlying the airway IFN III response and its interactions with RSV and IAV remain poorly characterized. This short review aims to recapitulate our current knowledge of the various evasion strategies developed by RSV and IAV to counteract IFN responses and the specificities of their interplay with the IFN III pathway. It also seeks to identify existing gaps and potential research strategies to improve the physiological relevance of virus-host interaction studies.