Publications by authors named "W I Willemijn van der Veen"
Significant advancements have been made in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of type 2 immunity in allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), food and drug allergies, and atopic dermatitis (AD). Type 2 immunity has evolved to protect against parasitic diseases and toxins, plays a role in the expulsion of parasites and larvae from inner tissues to the lumen and outside the body, maintains microbe-rich skin and mucosal epithelial barriers and counterbalances the type 1 immune response and its destructive effects. During the development of a type 2 immune response, an innate immune response initiates starting from epithelial cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), including dendritic cells and macrophages, and translates to adaptive T and B-cell immunity, particularly IgE antibody production.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Ascaris infection, a common soil-transmitted helminth, may exacerbate asthma and allergic reactions through its influence on immune responses, specifically group-2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2).
- * The study involved comparing non-infected and Ascaris-infected individuals, analyzing ILC subsets, their activation markers, and the presence of specific antibodies.
- * Results showed that ILC2 activation markers were significantly higher in Ascaris-infected individuals, particularly those sensitized to a specific Ascaris antigen, suggesting a link between helminth infection and enhanced immune responses.
The prevalence of many chronic noncommunicable diseases has been steadily rising over the past six decades. During this time, over 350,000 new chemical substances have been introduced to the lives of humans. In recent years, the epithelial barrier theory came to light explaining the growing prevalence and exacerbations of these diseases worldwide.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- A study investigates how the parasitic infection of Ascaris lumbricoides affects the immune system, particularly focusing on the role of B regulatory cells (Bregs) in infected individuals.
- In a helminth-endemic area of Colombia, researchers compared 18 A. lumbricoides-infected subjects with 11 non-infected individuals, measuring Breg frequencies and specific antibodies in their blood.
- Results showed that infected individuals had higher Breg levels and lower levels of certain antibodies, suggesting that A. lumbricoides infection leads to an immunosuppressive effect that varies based on infection intensity.