Interleukin-13 in the skin and interferon-gamma in the liver are key players in immune protection in human schistosomiasis.

Abstract

Immunity against schistosomes includes anti-infection immunity, which is mainly active against invading larvae in the skin, and anti-disease immunity, which controls abnormal fibrosis in tissues invaded by schistosome eggs. Anti-infection immunity is T-helper 2 (Th2) cell-dependent and is controlled by a major genetic locus that is located near the Th2 cytokine locus on chromosome 5q31-q33. Mutations in the gene encoding interleukin (IL)-13 that decrease or increase IL-13 production account, at least in part, for that genetic control. In contrast, protection against hepatic fibrosis is dependent on interferon (IFN)-gamma and is controlled by a major genetic locus that is located on 6q23, near the gene encoding the IFN-gamma receptor beta chain. Mutations that modulate IFN-gamma gene transcription are associated with different susceptibility to disease. These data indicate that IL-13 in the skin and IFN-gamma in the liver are key players in protective immunity against schistosomes. These roles relate to the high anti-fibrogenic activities of IFN-gamma and to the unique ability of IL-13 in Th2 priming in the skin and in the mobilization of eosinophils in tissues. The coexistence of strong IFN-gamma and IL-13-mediated immune responses in the same subject may involve the compartmentalization of the anti-schistosome immune response between the skin and the liver.

• Authors: Alain Dessein, Bourema Kouriba, Carole Eboumbou, Helia Dessein, Laurent Argiro, Sandrine Marquet, Nasr-Eldin M A Elwali, Virmondes Rodrigues, Yuesheng Li, Ogobara Doumbo, Christophe Chevillard
• Journal: Immunological reviews (Immunol Rev) Vol. 201 Pg. 180-90 (Oct 2004) ISSN: 0105-2896 [Print] England
• PMID: 15361241 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Interleukin-13
• Interferon-gamma

Topics

• Animals
• Humans
• Interferon-gamma (genetics, metabolism)
• Interleukin-13 (genetics, metabolism)
• Liver (immunology)
• Schistosoma (growth & development, immunology)
• Schistosomiasis (genetics, immunology, prevention & control)
• Skin (immunology)