The curious case of a cryptic Cryptosporidium and a missing dendritic cell subset

Trends Parasitol. 2022 Feb;38(2):101-103. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.12.003. Epub 2021 Dec 22.

Abstract

Animal models for studying immune responses to Cryptosporidium, a parasite that causes gastrointestinal disease, have been a challenge due to the parasite's poor infectivity in mice. Russler-Germain et al. discovered a 'commensal' strain of Cryptosporidium, capable of stable infection and vertical transmission, that elicits a T helper type 1 (Th1) response to promote intestinal homeostasis.

Keywords: CD4 T cells; commensal; dendritic cells; gut immunity; protozoan.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cryptosporidiosis* / parasitology
  • Cryptosporidium*
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Homeostasis
  • Intestines / parasitology
  • Mice