Immunity to the model intestinal helminth parasite Heligmosomoides polygyrus.

Abstract

Heligmosomoides polygyrus is a natural intestinal parasite of mice, which offers an excellent model of the immunology of gastrointestinal helminth infections of humans and livestock. It is able to establish long-term chronic infections in many strains of mice, exerting potent immunomodulatory effects that dampen both protective immunity and bystander reactions to allergens and autoantigens. Immunity to the parasite develops naturally in some mouse strains and can be induced in others through immunization; while the mechanisms of protective immunity are not yet fully defined, both antibodies and a host cellular component are required, with strongest evidence for a role of alternatively activated macrophages. We discuss the balance between resistance and susceptibility in this model system and highlight new themes in innate and adaptive immunity, immunomodulation, and regulation of responsiveness in helminth infection.

• Authors: Lisa A Reynolds, Kara J Filbey, Rick M Maizels
• Journal: Seminars in immunopathology (Semin Immunopathol) Vol. 34 Issue 6 Pg. 829-46 (Nov 2012) ISSN: 1863-2300 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 23053394 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Protozoan Vaccines

Topics

• Adaptive Immunity
• Animals
• Chronic Disease
• Disease Resistance (genetics, immunology)
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease
• Host-Parasite Interactions (genetics, immunology)
• Humans
• Immunity, Innate
• Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic (genetics, immunology, microbiology)
• Metagenome
• Nematospiroides dubius (immunology)
• Protozoan Vaccines (immunology)
• Strongylida Infections (genetics, immunology)