A Myeloid-Specific Lack of IL-4Rα Prevents the Development of Alternatively Activated Macrophages and Enhances Immunity to Experimental Cysticercosis.

To determine the role that the IL-4/IL13 receptor plays in the development of alternatively activated macrophages (AAM or M2) and their role in the regulation of immunity to the extraintestinal phase of the helminth parasite , we followed the infection in a mouse strain lacking the IL-4Rα gene (IL-4Rα) and in the macrophage/neutrophil-specific IL-4Rα-deficient mouse strain (LysMcreIL-4Rα or cre/LoxP). While 100% of -infected IL-4Rα (WT) mice harbored large parasite loads, more than 50% of th eIL-4Rα mice resolved the infection. Approximately 88% of the LysMcreIL-4Rα mice displayed a sterilizing immunity to the infection.

Taenia crassiceps infection attenuates multiple low-dose streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Taenia crassiceps, like other helminths, can exert regulatory effects on the immune system of its host. This study investigates the effect of chronic T. crassiceps infection on the outcome of Multiple Low Dose Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes (MLDS).

Nitric oxide contributes to host resistance against experimental Taenia crassiceps cysticercosis.

The immune mechanisms that underlie resistance and susceptibility to cysticercosis are not completely understood. In this paper, using susceptible BALB/c mice and resistant STAT6-/-BALB/c mice, we have analyzed the role of nitric oxide (NO) in determining the outcome of murine cysticercosis caused by the cestode Taenia crassiceps. After T.

Acute cysticercosis favours rapid and more severe lesions caused by Leishmania major and Leishmania mexicana infection, a role for alternatively activated macrophages.

Parasitic helminths have developed complex mechanisms to modulate host immunity. In the present study we found that previous infection of mice with the cestode Taenia crassiceps favours parasitemia and induces larger cutaneous lesions during both Leishmania major and Leishmania mexicana co-infections. Analysis of cytokine responses into draining lymph nodes indicated that co-infection of T.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor contributes to host defense against acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine that is involved in the host defense against several pathogens. Here we used MIF-/- mice to determine the role of endogenous MIF in the regulation of the host immune response against Trypanosoma cruzi infection. MIF-/- mice displayed high levels of blood and tissue parasitemia, developed severe heart and skeletal muscle immunopathology, and succumbed to T.

Carbohydrate components of Taenia crassiceps metacestodes display Th2-adjuvant and anti-inflammatory properties when co-injected with bystander antigen.

Common helminth infections promote Th2-skewed immune responses in their hosts. We have studied the role of intact carbohydrate structures on Taenia crassiceps compounds in the induction of biased type 2 and anti-inflammatory immune responses on peptide-stimulated T cells by using DO11.10 transgenic (OVA Tg) mice.