Schistosoma mansoni: IL-4 is necessary for concomitant immunity in mice. |
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| Authors: | L R Brunet M A Kopf E J Pearce |
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| Institution: | Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-6401, USA. |
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| Abstract: | To ask whether type-2 immune responses serve an essential role in concomitant immunity, that is the prevention of superinfection with Schistosoma mansoni, we compared resistance to a challenge infection in infected wild-type (WT) mice and in infected IL-4-/- mice, which are unable to mount Th2 responses during schistosomiasis. Although WT mice are protected from superinfection, resistance is abrogated in the absence of interleukin (IL)-4. We conclude that IL-4 or IL-4-dependent responses, or both, are necessary for resistance to S. mansoni superinfection in mice. |
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