IL-4/IL-13 independent goblet cell hyperplasia in experimental helminth infections

BACKGROUND: Intestinal mucus production by hyperplasic goblet cells is a striking pathological feature of many parasitic helminth infections and is related to intestinal protection and worm expulsion. Induction of goblet cell hyperplasia is associated with TH2 immune responses, which in helminth infections are controlled primarily by IL-13, and also IL-4. In the study presented here we examine the goblet cell hyperplasic response to three experimental parasitic helminth infections; namely Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Syphacia obvelata and Schistosoma mansoni. RESULTS: As expected N. brasiliensis infection induced a strong goblet cell hyperplasia dependent on IL-4/IL-13/IL-4Ralpha expression. In contrast, and despite previously published transiently elevated IL-4/IL-13 levels, S. obvelata infections did not increase goblet cell hyperplasia in the colon. Furthermore, induction of goblet cell hyperplasia in response to S. mansoni eggs traversing the intestine was equivalent between BALB/c, IL-4/IL-13-/- and IL-4Ralpha-/- mice. CONCLUSION: Together these data demonstrate that intestinal goblet cell hyperplasia can be independent of TH2 immune responses associated with parasitic helminth infections

IL-4/IL-13 independent goblet cell hyperplasia in experimental helminth infections-0

Open bar) and IL-4/IL-13(gray bar) mice 7 days and 10 days PI in small intestine sections. B) Intestinal adult worm burden 7 and 10 days post infection. Data representative of two experiments are shown. Data are means of four mice per group ± SEM. * < 0.05; *** < 0.001 (significantly different from naïve mice).<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "IL-4/IL-13 independent goblet cell hyperplasia in experimental helminth infections"</p><p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2172/9/11</p><p>BMC Immunology 2008;9():11-11.</p><p>Published online 28 Mar 2008</p><p>PMCID:PMC2329604.</p><p></p

IL-4/IL-13 independent goblet cell hyperplasia in experimental helminth infections-3

Bar) and IL-4/IL-13(gray bar) mice at 8 weeks PI. Data are pooled from 2 to 4 individual experiments. Data are means of these experiments ± SEM. (B) Quantification of goblet cell number per villus in colon of naïve mice and 8 weeks PI from BALB/c (solid bar), IL-4Rα(open bar) and IL-4/IL-13(gray bar) mice. Data representative of three experiments are shown. * < 0.05 (significantly different from naïve mice). (C) Photomicrograph of colon from BALB/c, IL-4Rαand IL-4/IL-13. Representative pictures of colon sections are shown from both naïve (i) and infected mice at 8 weeks PI (ii). Sections were stained with PAS to identify goblet cells. 100× magnification<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "IL-4/IL-13 independent goblet cell hyperplasia in experimental helminth infections"</p><p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2172/9/11</p><p>BMC Immunology 2008;9():11-11.</p><p>Published online 28 Mar 2008</p><p>PMCID:PMC2329604.</p><p></p

IL-4/IL-13 independent goblet cell hyperplasia in experimental helminth infections-1

Of colon sections are shown from both naïve (i) and pinworm infected mice at 7 (ii) and 14 days PI (iii). Sections were stained with PAS to identify goblet cells. 100× magnification. (B) Quantification of goblet cells per crypt in colon 7 and 14 days PI in BALB/c (solid bar), IL-4Rα(open bar) and IL-4/IL-13(gray bar). Data representative of two experiments are shown. Data are means of four mice per group ± SEM. (C) dependent IL-4 secretion from anti-CD3 restimulated splenocytes. BALB/c (solid bar), IL-4Rα(open bar). **, P < 0.01 (significantly different from naive mice). Data representative of two experiments showing means for four mice/group ± SD.<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "IL-4/IL-13 independent goblet cell hyperplasia in experimental helminth infections"</p><p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2172/9/11</p><p>BMC Immunology 2008;9():11-11.</p><p>Published online 28 Mar 2008</p><p>PMCID:PMC2329604.</p><p></p

IL-4/IL-13 independent goblet cell hyperplasia in experimental helminth infections-4

Open bar) and IL-4/IL-13(gray bar) mice 7 days and 10 days PI in small intestine sections. B) Intestinal adult worm burden 7 and 10 days post infection. Data representative of two experiments are shown. Data are means of four mice per group ± SEM. * < 0.05; *** < 0.001 (significantly different from naïve mice).<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "IL-4/IL-13 independent goblet cell hyperplasia in experimental helminth infections"</p><p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2172/9/11</p><p>BMC Immunology 2008;9():11-11.</p><p>Published online 28 Mar 2008</p><p>PMCID:PMC2329604.</p><p></p