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Is the induction of apoptosis the mechanism of the protective effects of TNFα in helminth infection?
Author(s) -
GARSIDE PAUL,
SANDS WILIAM A.,
KUSEL JOHN R.,
HAGAN PAUL
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
parasite immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1365-3024
pISSN - 0141-9838
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-3024.1996.d01-66.x
Subject(s) - biology , effector , immunology , immune system , apoptosis , helminths , tumor necrosis factor alpha , mechanism (biology) , parasite hosting , programmed cell death , helminthiasis , helminth infections , necrosis , genetics , philosophy , epistemology , world wide web , computer science
Tumour necrosis factorα has been implicated in protective immune responses to a number of parasitic helminths. However, the final effector mechanisms resulting in death or expulsion of the parasite are unclear. Here we suggest that, by employing phylogenetically conserved mechanisms, the mammalian immune system is able to interfere with helminth development directly and that the protective effects of TNFα in helminth infections may operate via the induction of parasite apoptosis.