Abstract
Although type 2 immune responses contribute to allergy and asthma, these responses are essential for clearing intestinal helminth infestations by mechanisms that include increased epithelial shedding. We show that T helper 2 cells (T(H)2), but not other T cell subsets, express amphiregulin, a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family. EGF receptor ligands directly induce epithelial cell proliferation, and lack of amphiregulin delayed expulsion of the nematode Trichuris muris. This newly recognized link between T(H)2 cells and epithelial proliferation should help in planning therapeutic interventions for helminth infections and other diseases that involve both cell proliferation and allergy, such as asthma.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
MeSH terms
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Amphiregulin
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Animals
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Bone Marrow Cells / immunology
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Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
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Cecum / pathology
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Cell Line
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Cell Proliferation
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Cytokines / biosynthesis
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Cytokines / immunology
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EGF Family of Proteins
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Gene Expression Regulation
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Glycoproteins / biosynthesis
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Glycoproteins / genetics
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Glycoproteins / physiology*
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Immunity, Innate
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / biosynthesis
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / physiology*
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Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
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Lymphocyte Activation
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Th2 Cells / immunology*
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Th2 Cells / metabolism
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Trichuriasis / immunology*
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Trichuriasis / parasitology
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Trichuriasis / pathology
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Trichuris / immunology
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Trichuris / physiology
Substances
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Amphiregulin
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Areg protein, mouse
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Cytokines
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EGF Family of Proteins
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Glycoproteins
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins