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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Trichuris muris Infection: A Model of Type 2 Immunity and Inflammation in the Gut
Published on: May 24, 2011
In vitro antigen presenting cell-derived IL-10 and IL-6 correlate with Trichuris muris isolate-specific survival
Abstract:
Trichuris muris, the mouse whipworm, is used as a laboratory model of the human parasite T. trichiura. Three laboratory isolates of T. muris exist - the E, J and S isolates. Previous data have shown that the S isolate survives to chronicity in C57BL/6 mice unlike the E and J isolates, which are expelled. The ability of the S isolate to persist is thought to be due to it secreting unique excretory/secretory antigens, which interact with APCs such that protective T cell responses do not develop. To determine whether APCs respond differently to E/S antigens from the three isolates we cultured isolate-specific E/S with bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMPhi) and dendritic cells (BMDCs) in vitro. Markers of co-stimulation and levels of MHC-II were analysed by FACS and cytokine levels in supernatants quantified. E/S antigens from the S isolate consistently stimulated significantly higher levels of IL-10 and IL-6 from both macrophages (F4/80(+)CD11b(+)CD11c(-)) and dendritic cells (CD11c(+)CD11b(+)F4/80(-)) compared to J and E isolate E/S. If these in vitro differences in APC-derived cytokines, particularly IL-10, are biologically significant in vivo, they may contribute to the S isolate survival, by creating a regulatory cytokine environment in which protective immune responses are less effective.
Insights
The whipworm (Trichuris muris) S isolate, unlike E and J isolates, persists in mice. This persistence may be due to unique antigens that promote IL-10 and IL-6 production by immune cells, hindering protective responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Trichuris muris is a model for human whipworm infections.
- The S isolate of T. muris persists in C57BL/6 mice, while E and J isolates are cleared.
- S isolate persistence is linked to unique excretory/secretory (E/S) antigens that may suppress T cell responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differential immune responses of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to E/S antigens from T. muris isolates.
- To determine if E/S antigens from the S isolate induce distinct cytokine profiles in macrophages and dendritic cells.
Main Methods:
- Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMPhi) and dendritic cells (BMDCs) were cultured in vitro.
- Cells were stimulated with isolate-specific E/S antigens.
- Flow cytometry (FACS) was used to analyze co-stimulation markers and MHC-II levels.
- Cytokine levels (IL-10, IL-6) in supernatants were quantified.
Main Results:
- S isolate E/S antigens induced significantly higher levels of IL-10 and IL-6 from both BMMPhi and BMDCs compared to E and J isolates.
- No significant differences were observed in co-stimulation markers or MHC-II levels across isolates.
Conclusions:
- In vitro data suggest that T. muris S isolate E/S antigens promote a regulatory cytokine environment via increased IL-10 and IL-6 production.
- This immune modulation by S isolate antigens may contribute to its in vivo persistence by suppressing effective anti-parasitic immune responses.
