Immune responses of IL-5 transgenic mice to parasites and aeroallergens

Dent, L.A. et al. (1997) Immune responses of IL-5 transgenic mice to parasites and aeroallergens. Memorias Do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 92(S2), pp. 45-54. (doi: 10.1590/s0074-02761997000800008)

[img]
Preview
Text
141753.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

495kB

Abstract

Eosinophils have long been thought to be effectors of immunity to helminths but have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma. Patterns of cytokine production in the host may influence the pathogenesis of these diseases by regulating the activities of eosinophils and other components of the immune response. Mice which constitutively over-express IL-5 have profound and life-long eosinophilia in a restricted number of tissues. Although eosinophils from IL-5 transgenics are functionally competent for a number of parameters considered to be important in inflammation, untreated animals are overtly normal and free of disease. In addition, the responses of these animals when exposed to aeroallergens and helminths present a number of apparent paradoxes. Eosinophil accumulation in tissues adjacent to major airways is rapid and extensive in transgenics exposed to the aeroallergen, but even after treatment with antigen over many months these mice show no evidence of respiratory distress or pathology. Helminth-infected IL-5 transgenics and their non-transgenic littermates develop similar inflammatory responses at mucosal sites and are comparable for a number of T cell and antibody responses, but they differ considerably in their ability to clear some parasite species. The life-cycle of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis is significantly inhibited in IL-5 transgenics, but that of Toxocara canis is not. Our results also suggest that eosinophilia and/or over-expression of IL-5 may actually impair host resistance to Schistosoma mansoni and Trichinella spiralis. The pathogenesis of diseases in which eosinophils are involved may therefore be more complex than previously thought.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:Microbiology (medical).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hagan, Professor Paul
Authors: Dent, L.A., Daly, C., Geddes, A., Cormie, J., Finlay, D.A., Bignold, L., Hagan, P., Parkhouse, R.M.E., Garate, T., Parsons, J., and Mayrhofer, G.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Memorias Do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
Publisher:Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
ISSN:0074-0276
ISSN (Online):1678-8060
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 1997 The Authors
First Published:First published in Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz 92(S2):45-54)
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record