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Trichuris muris Infection: A Model of Type 2 Immunity and Inflammation in the Gut
Published on: May 24, 2011
The immunological consequences of nematode infection
Ciba Foundation Symposium
|April 26, 1977
Summary
Nematode gut infections trigger a robust, long-lasting immune response involving antibodies and cell-mediated immunity. This immune response impacts unrelated antigens and is thymus-dependent, with specific limitations in young or lactating animals.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Nematode infections elicit significant host immune responses.
- These responses can modulate immunity to other antigens, tumors, and pathogens.
- The precise mechanisms and limitations of this immune modulation are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics of the immune response to nematode gut infections.
- To determine the role of specific immune components, such as IgE antibodies, mast cells, and eosinophils.
- To examine the influence of host age and lactation status on the immune response.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of immune responses in rodent models (rats and mice) infected with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis or Trichinella spiralis.
- Assessment of antibody production and cell-mediated immunity.
- Tracking of lymphoblast homing to the small intestine from mesenteric lymph nodes and thoracic duct lymph.
Main Results:
- Nematode infections induce a thymus-dependent, long-lasting immune response involving antibodies and cell-mediated reactions.
- The immune response to unrelated antigens, tumors, and infections is altered in nematode-infected animals.
- Parasite rejection from the gut does not appear to require IgE antibodies, mast cells, or eosinophils.
- Increased homing of lymphoblasts to the small intestine was observed in infected rats and mice, an antigenically non-specific phenomenon.
- In mice infected with T. spiralis, this increase was primarily composed of thymus-derived lymphoblasts.
Conclusions:
- The immune response to nematode gut infections is complex, involving both humoral and cell-mediated immunity.
- Specific immune cells and factors, like IgE, mast cells, and eosinophils, are not essential for gut parasite rejection.
- Host factors such as age and lactation status significantly impact the immune response.
- Antigenically non-specific increases in lymphoblast homing to the gut are a feature of nematode infection, mediated mainly by T-cell-derived lymphoblasts.
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