The role of IL-13 in helminth-induced inflammation and protective immunity against nematode infections

Abstract

Helminth infections induce the production of type 2 cytokines, which contribute both to expulsion of the worms and inflammatory responses that can either protect or damage the host. Although IL-4 has been considered the most critical cytokine for both inflammation and protective immunity, recent observations indicate that IL-13 - a related cytokine - can have equal or even greater importance than IL-4 in inflammatory responses and host protection against infection.