Importance of Both Innate Immunity and Acquired Immunity for Rapid Expulsion of S. venezuelensis

Abstract

In the first part of this review, we described the relevant roles of endogenous IL-33 for accumulation of ILC2 and eosinophils even in the lungs of Rag2(-/-) mice. Type II alveolar epithelial (ATII) cells express IL-33 in their nucleus and infection with Strongyloides venezuelensis induces IL-33 production by increasing the number of ATII cells possibly by the action of chitin. IL-33 from ATII cells induces ILC2 proliferation and at the same time activates them to produce IL-5 and IL-13, which in combination induce lung eosinophilic inflammation, aiding to expel infected worms in the lungs. In the second part, we showed that, although AID(-/-) mice normally develop Th2 cells and intestinal mastocytosis after infection with S. venezuelensis, they need adoptive transfers of immune sera from S. venezuelensis infected mice to obtain the capacity to promptly expel S. venezuelensis. Thus, intestinal nematode infection induces various Th2 immune responses (e.g., Th2 cell, ILC2, goblet cell hyperplasia, intestinal mastocytosis, smooth muscle cell contraction, local and systemic eosinophilia, and high serum level of IgE and IgG1). However, all of them are not necessary for rapid expulsion of intestinal nematodes. Instead, some combinations of Th2 immune responses are essentially required.

Keywords: IL-33; ILC2; IgE; Th2 cell; chitin; eosinophils; intestinal nematode; mast cell.

Figure 1

Summary of host protective pulmonary eosinophilia. S. venezuelensis infection of Rag2^−/− mice induced severe eosinophilic inflammation, goblet cell hyperplasia, and accumulation of ILC2, and increased the number of IL-33 producing type II alveolar epithelial (ATII) cells. First, IL-33 from ATII cells induced and activated ILC2 to produce IL-5 and IL-13. Then, IL-5 and IL-13 in combination induced severe pulmonary eosinophilia. And, perhaps, these eosinophils, increase their capacity to kill helminth after stimulation with IL-33.

Figure 2

IgG and IgE collaboratively accelerate expulsion of S. venezuelensis infection. (A) To examine which classes of Igs are able to induce worm expulsion. We injected IgG Fr (1.8 mg), IgE Fr (5 μg), or a mixture of IgG Fr (1.8 mg) and IgE Fr (5 μg) into AID^−/− mice on day 7 after infection with 4,000 L3, and adult worms were recovered at day 8. As shown here, IgG and IgE reduced worm burdens collaboratively. (B) Hypothetical mechanism of IgG- and IgE-mediated worm expulsion.