We previously reported that infection of respiratory epithelial cells in vitro with respiratory syncytial virus increased IL-15 and surface MICA and sMICA levels.2 However, the role of RV and IL-15 in the modulation of surface MICA and MICB and sMICA and sMICB in respiratory epithelial cells and the role of sMICA and sMICB in RV infection in healthy subjects and in virus-induced asthma exacerbations are not known. This evidence concerns the gene MICB and asthma.