IL-25 Enhances Eosinophil-Associated Inflammation in Angiostrongylus cantonensis-Infected Mice

This study aimed to investigate the role of interleukin (IL)-25 in the pathogenesis of angiostrongylosis. We used ICR mice as non-permissive hosts, divided them into groups and experimentally infected them with infective larvae of the Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Two groups of infected mice were injected intraperitoneally with either mouse IL-25 or an anti-IL-25 monoclonal antibody (mAb) at 3 days post-infection (dpi), followed by booster injections at the same dose every 5 days. Serum samples and brain tissues were collected weekly from each group for immunological and pathological examinations. The IL-25-treated group exhibited significant increases in eosinophil percentages and levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), as well as in the levels of IL-5 and IL-13. The severity of eosinophilic meningitis was exacerbated in the IL-25-treated group 21 dpi. These results suggest that IL-25 may enhance eosinophil-associated inflammation in mice infected with A. cantonensis.