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Intestinal nematode infection ameliorates experimental colitis in mice
W I Khan1, P A Blennerhasset, A K Varghese
1Intestinal Disease Research Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Infection and Immunity
|October 16, 2002
Summary
Intestinal nematode infections may protect against inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by shifting the immune response. This study shows nematode infection reduces colitis severity, suggesting a novel therapeutic strategy for IBD.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is prevalent in developed nations, contrasting with the rarity of intestinal nematode infections.
- T helper (Th) cells, crucial in immune responses, differentiate into subsets like Th1 and Th2.
- Th1 responses are linked to Crohn's disease, while nematode infections typically induce Th2 responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effect of a Th2-polarized immune response, induced by nematode infection, against experimental colitis.
- To assess if nematode infection can mitigate Th1-mediated inflammation characteristic of IBD.
Main Methods:
- Mice were infected with the nematode Trichinella spiralis and allowed to recover.
- Experimental colitis was induced using dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid.
- Colonic damage, mortality, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and Th cytokines were assessed post-colitis.
Main Results:
- Prior nematode infection significantly reduced macroscopic and histological colonic damage.
- Nematode infection decreased mortality and MPO activity in colonic tissue.
- A shift towards a Th2 immune response and down-regulation of Th1 cytokines were observed.
Conclusions:
- Intestinal nematode infection confers protection against Th1 cell-driven experimental colitis.
- This suggests a potential therapeutic strategy for IBD involving immunological modulation via nematode-induced responses.