IL-33, a potent inducer of adaptive immunity to intestinal nematodes

J Immunol. 2008 Feb 15;180(4):2443-9. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.180.4.2443.

Abstract

IL-33 (IL-1F11) binds ST2 (IL-1R4), both of which are associated with optimal CD4(+) Th2 polarization. Exogenous IL-33 drives induction of Th2-associated cytokines and associated pathological changes within the gut mucosa. Th2 polarization is also a prerequisite to expulsion of the intestinal-dwelling nematode Trichuris muris. In this study, we demonstrate that IL-33 mRNA is expressed early during parasite infection and susceptible mice can be induced to expel the parasite by a regime of exogenous IL-33 administration. IL-33 prevents an inappropriate parasite-specific Th1-polarized response and induces IL-4, IL-9, and IL-13. This redirection requires the presence of T cells and must occur at the initiation of the response to the pathogen. Interestingly, exogenous IL-33 also induced thymic stromal lymphopoietin mRNA within the infected caecum, an epithelial cell-restricted cytokine essential for the generation of Th2-driven parasite immunity. IL-33 also acts independently of T cells, altering intestinal pathology in chronically infected SCID mice, leading to an increased crypt length and intestinal epithelial cell proliferation, but reducing goblet cell hyperplasia. Thus, the ability of IL-33 to induce Th2 responses has functional relevance in the context of intestinal helminth infection, particularly during the initiation of the response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular / genetics
  • Immunity, Innate / genetics
  • Interleukin-33
  • Interleukins / biosynthesis
  • Interleukins / genetics
  • Interleukins / physiology*
  • Interleukins / therapeutic use*
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / immunology*
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / pathology
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / prevention & control
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred AKR
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, SCID
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Recombinant Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Trichuriasis / immunology*
  • Trichuriasis / pathology
  • Trichuriasis / prevention & control
  • Trichuris / immunology*

Substances

  • Il33 protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-33
  • Interleukins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Recombinant Proteins