IL-13, IL-4Ralpha, and Stat6 are required for the expulsion of the gastrointestinal nematode parasite Nippostrongylus brasiliensis.
Although IL-4 induces expulsion of the gastrointestinal nematode parasite, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, from immunodeficient mice, this parasite is expelled normally by IL-4-deficient mice. This apparent paradox is explained by observations that IL-4 receptor alpha chain (IL-4Ralpha)-deficient mice and Stat6-deficient mice fail to expel N. brasiliensis, and a specific antagonist for IL-13, another activator of Stat6 through IL-4Ralpha, prevents worm expulsion. Thus, N. brasiliensis expulsion requires signaling via IL-4Ralpha and Stat6, and IL-13 may be more important than IL-4 as an inducer of the Stat6 signaling that leads to worm expulsion. Additional observations made in the course of these experiments demonstrate that Stat6 signaling is not required for IL-4 enhancement of IgG1 production and actually inhibits IL-4-induction of mucosal mastocytosis.
Urban
J F
JF
United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, USA.
Noben-Trauth
N
N
Donaldson
D D
DD
Madden
K B
KB
Morris
S C
SC
Collins
M
M
Finkelman
F D
FD
D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology; D008415:Mastocytosis / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009559:Nippostrongylus / Q000276:immunology*; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4 / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D050800:STAT6 Transcription Factor; D015398:Signal Transduction; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D018793:Interleukin-13; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4; D050800:STAT6 Transcription Factor; C494100:Stat6 protein, mouse; D015534:Trans-Activators; D007371:Interferon-gamma