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Helminth‐induced alternatively activated macrophages enhance susceptibility to tuberculosis
Author(s) -
Potian Julius Andrew,
Bhatt Kamlesh,
McBride Amanda,
Gause William,
Salgame Padmini
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.860.3
Subject(s) - nippostrongylus brasiliensis , immune system , immunology , biology , helminths , tuberculosis , macrophage , microbiology and biotechnology , virulence , coinfection , heligmosomoides polygyrus , medicine , in vitro , virus , pathology , biochemistry , gene
Regions of the world with high incidence of tuberculosis (TB) are also endemic for helminthic diseases. The impact of the Th2 response elicited by helminthic infections, which may alter the Th1 response necessary for the protection to TB, is poorly understood. Co‐infection of BALB/c mice with the nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Nb ) followed by virulent Erdman strain of Mtb via aerosolization demonstrated at 4 and 7 weeks post‐ Mtb infection, significantly higher bacterial burden in co‐infected mice compared to mice infected with Mtb alone. This correlated with an increase in expression of Th2 cytokines, IL‐4 and IL‐10, as well as markers for alternative macrophage activation (AAMφ) in co‐infected mice. Co‐infection of IL‐4 Rα−/− mice restored bacterial burden to wild‐type levels. Ongoing studies will determine the mechanism by which AAMφ alter the immune response to Mtb . Taken together, these results demonstrate that helminthic infection leads to development of AAMφ, which may ultimately modulate the ability of the host to mount an effective immune response to TB.