BACKGROUND: Rhinovirus (RV) infections can result in asthma exacerbations in both adults and children. Respiratory epithelium, the primary site of RV replication, responds to the viral infection by generating a variety of cytokines and chemokines capable of promoting airway inflammation and hence might increase asthma severity. Some of these mediators might also affect the permeability of underlying vascular endothelium. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that RV infections can promote airway inflammation and thus asthma by enhancing local vascular permeability. METHODS: Confluent human lung microvascular endothelial cell (HMVEC-L) monolayers were used as an in vitro model of vascular endothelium to determine whether cytokines associated with RV-induced infections are capable of modulating endothelial cell permeability as measured by means of transendothelial electrical resistance. Recombinant cytokines and chemokines were added to confluent HMVEC-L monolayers cultured on Transwell filters, and permeability was measured as decreased electrical resistance over time. Eosinophil transendothelial migration was assessed under the same experimental conditions. RESULTS: TNF- alpha, IL-1 beta, and IFN- gamma significantly increased HMVEC-L permeability. In contrast, GM-CSF, G-CSF, IL-8, IL-6, and RANTES had no effect. Although incubation of HMVEC-L monolayers with either TNF-alpha or IL-1beta promoted eosinophil migration, IFN-gamma had no effect, indicating that enhanced permeability alone was not sufficient for eosinophil infiltration. CONCLUSION: Select cytokines, generated in response to RV infection, can increase vascular permeability and might provide a mechanism by which RV infection can lead to edema, cellular infiltration, and inflammation and thus compromised airflow.