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Helminths are positively AMPing up gut de-bugging
William G C Horsnell1, Menno J Oudhoff2
1Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine and Division of Immunology, Faculty of Health Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa (CIDRI), University of Cape Town, South Africa; Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Researchers discovered SPRR2A, a novel intestinal antimicrobial protein (AMP), that combats Gram-positive bacteria. This protein is unexpectedly induced by helminth infections to prevent bacterial spread in damaged intestines.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Intestinal barrier integrity is crucial for preventing pathogen translocation.
- Helminth infections modulate the host immune response, often type 2 immunity.
- Antimicrobial proteins (AMPs) play a key role in innate immunity against bacterial pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel intestinal antimicrobial proteins involved in host defense.
- To investigate the role of SPRR2A in the context of helminth infections and bacterial translocation.
Main Methods:
- Identification of SPRR2A as a potential antimicrobial protein.
- Analysis of SPRR2A induction during helminth infection.
- Assessment of SPRR2A's function in restricting bacterial translocation across the intestinal epithelium.
Main Results:
- SPRR2A was identified as a novel intestinal antimicrobial protein targeting Gram-positive bacteria.
- SPRR2A expression is induced by helminth-elicited type 2 immunity.
- SPRR2A effectively restricts pathogenic bacterial translocation across the damaged intestinal epithelium during helminth infection.
Conclusions:
- SPRR2A is a critical component of the intestinal innate immune system, particularly during helminth infections.
- The induction of SPRR2A by type 2 immunity represents an unexpected host defense mechanism against bacterial pathogens.
