Mucosal and systemic immune modulation by Trichuris trichiura in a self-infected individual

TY - JOUR

T1 - Mucosal and systemic immune modulation by Trichuris trichiura in a self-infected individual

AU - Dige, A

AU - Rasmussen, T K

AU - Nejsum, P

AU - Hagemann-Madsen, R

AU - Williams, A R

AU - Agnholt, J

AU - Dahlerup, J F

AU - Hvas, C L

N1 - © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PY - 2017/1/1

Y1 - 2017/1/1

N2 - Helminthic therapy of immune-mediated diseases has gained attention in recent years, but we know little of how helminths modulate human immunity. In this study, we investigated how self-infection with Trichuris (T.) trichiura in an adult man without intestinal disease affected mucosal and systemic immunity. Colonic mucosal biopsies were obtained at baseline, during T. trichiura infection, and after its clearance following mebendazole treatment. Unexpectedly, the volunteer experienced a Campylobacter colitis following T. trichiura clearance, and this served as a positive infectious control. Trichuris trichiura colonization induced equally increased expressions of T-helper (h)1-, Th2-, Th17- and Treg-associated cytokines and transcription factors, measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We observed several indicators of modulation of systemic immunity during the T. trichiura infection. Plasma eosinophils and anti-Trichuris antibodies rose markedly during the inoculation phase, and a shift towards a Th2-dominated T cell response at the expense of the Th1-response was observed in circulating T cells. Taken together, our findings corroborate that helminths modulate regional and systemic human immunity.

AB - Helminthic therapy of immune-mediated diseases has gained attention in recent years, but we know little of how helminths modulate human immunity. In this study, we investigated how self-infection with Trichuris (T.) trichiura in an adult man without intestinal disease affected mucosal and systemic immunity. Colonic mucosal biopsies were obtained at baseline, during T. trichiura infection, and after its clearance following mebendazole treatment. Unexpectedly, the volunteer experienced a Campylobacter colitis following T. trichiura clearance, and this served as a positive infectious control. Trichuris trichiura colonization induced equally increased expressions of T-helper (h)1-, Th2-, Th17- and Treg-associated cytokines and transcription factors, measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We observed several indicators of modulation of systemic immunity during the T. trichiura infection. Plasma eosinophils and anti-Trichuris antibodies rose markedly during the inoculation phase, and a shift towards a Th2-dominated T cell response at the expense of the Th1-response was observed in circulating T cells. Taken together, our findings corroborate that helminths modulate regional and systemic human immunity.

U2 - 10.1111/pim.12394

DO - 10.1111/pim.12394

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 27743501

SN - 0141-9838

VL - 39

JO - Parasite Immunology

JF - Parasite Immunology

IS - 1

M1 - e12394

ER -