Interleukin-12 and the host response to parasitic helminths; the paradoxical effect on protective immunity and immunopathology.
In general, helminth infections are associated with the development of dominant Th2-mediated immune responses which may be host protective but can also be the cause of immunopathology. Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is known to be a potent inhibitor of Th2 immune responses and as such it might be expected to have an important modulatory role in helminth-induced immune responses. In this review, we discuss the effect of IL-12 on susceptibility to infection, protective immunity and immunopathology, in the context of exposure to a range of helminths including intestinal nematodes, filariae and schistosomes. It is apparent that the effects of IL-12 are complex and can be beneficial as well as detrimental for the host. The precise role of IL-12 depends upon a number of factors including the type of helminth and the specific tissue involved in the inflammatory response.
Mountford
A P
AP
Department of Biology, The University of York, UK.
Pearlman
E
E
D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000276:immunology; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology; D006376:Helminths / Q000276:immunology*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice