Mucins Shed from the Laminated Layer in Cystic Echinococcosis Are Captured by Kupffer Cells via the Lectin Receptor Clec4F.

Cystic echinococcosis is caused by the larval stages (hydatids) of cestode parasites belonging to the species cluster Echinococcus granulosus , with E. granulosus being the main infecting species. Hydatids are bladderlike structures that attain large sizes within various internal organs of livestock ungulates and humans.

CD40-CD154: A perspective from type 2 immunity.

The interaction between CD40 and CD154 (CD40 ligand) is central in immunology, participating in CD4 T cell priming by dendritic cells (DC), CD4 T cell help to B cells and classical macrophage activation by CD4 T cells. However, its role in the Th2 side of immunology including helminth infection remains incompletely understood. Contrary to viral and bacterial stimuli, helminth products usually do not cause CD40 up-regulation in DC, and exogenous CD40 ligation drives Th2-biased systems towards Th1.