Role of IL-13 in a model of Strongyloides venezuelensis infection in rats.
IL-13 is a cytokine known to play a role in several pulmonary diseases, including asthma and fibrosis. The role of IL-13 in the context of pulmonary changes induced by helminth infection is unclear. Rats experimentally infected with Strongyloides venezuelensis and treated with anti-IL-13 neutralizing antibody were used to evaluate the role of IL-13 on functional and inflammatory changes of host lungs, and on parasite control. S. venezuelensis-induced airway hyperreactivity was IL-13-independent, but IL-13 played an essential role in driving airway mucus production and eosinophil infiltration. IL-13 was important for the control of egg production but not establishment in the intestine.
Ferreira
Caroline M
CM
Department of Bioquímica e Immunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Avenida Antonio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil.
Pereira
Ana T M
AT
de Souza
Rafael S
RS
Coelho
Fernanda M
FM
Poole
Stephen
S
Teixeira
Mauro M
MM
Negrão-Corrêa
Deborah
D
D000818:Animals; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology*; D008168:Lung / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009093:Mucus / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013321:Strongyloides / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D013322:Strongyloidiasis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*
D018793:Interleukin-13