Interleukin-1 plays a major role in the development of Th2-mediated immunity

Abstract

Expulsion of the gastrointestinal nematode Trichuris muris is mediated by a T helper (Th)2-type response, involving interleukin (IL)-4, IL-9 and IL-13. Here, we show that Th2 response-associated resistance is dependent on the presence of IL-1α and IL-1β. When lymph node cells from naive IL-1α or IL-1β-deficient mice were subjected to Th2 polarization in vitro, they failed to polarize in the presence of IL-4 alone, but required the addition of exogenous IL-1α or IL-1β. Furthermore, we demonstrate that both IL-1α- and IL-1β-deficient mice are susceptible to chronic T. muris infection and that the inability to expel the worms is associated with a defect in the development of a Th2 response in the mesenteric lymph nodes. These results provide the first demonstration of the critical role of IL-1 in regulating Th2 responses during gastrointestinal nematode infection. © 2004 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.