Interleukin 4 is important in protective immunity to a gastrointestinal nematode infection in mice.
Parasitic helminths typically induce components of immediate-type hypersensitivity, including elevated serum IgE, eosinophilia, and mucosal mast cells. These responses are T-cell-dependent and associated with rapid expulsion of parasitic worms from a sensitized host; existing experimental systems have failed to define the precise role of cytokines in these responses. We report here that anti-interleukin 4 or anti-interleukin 4 receptor antibodies block the polyclonal IgE response to a parasitic nematode, Heligmosomoides polygyrus, and abrogate protective immunity to the infection. In contrast, anti-interleukin 5 antibody prevented H. polygyrus-induced eosinophilia but did not prevent protection. These data provide evidence that a specific cytokine affects the physiology and survival of a parasitic nematode in the host.
Urban
J F
JF
Helminthic Diseases Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350.
Katona
I M
IM
Paul
W E
WE
Finkelman
F D
FD
D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology*; D006369:Heligmosomatoidea / Q000276:immunology*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000502:physiology*; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen / Q000502:physiology
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015848:Interleukin-5; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E