Basophil-mediated protection against gastrointestinal helminths requires IgE-induced cytokine secretion

C Schwartz, A Turqueti-Neves… - Proceedings of the …, 2014 - National Acad Sciences
C Schwartz, A Turqueti-Neves, S Hartmann, P Yu, F Nimmerjahn, D Voehringer
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2014National Acad Sciences
Basophils orchestrate protection against reinfections with gastrointestinal helminths and
ticks, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We investigated the role of Fc
receptors on basophils, the antibody isotypes IgG1 and IgE, and basophil-derived IL-4/IL-13
during challenge infections with Heligmosomoides polygyrus and Nippostrongylus
brasiliensis. Using mixed bone marrow chimeras, we found that activating Fc receptors on
basophils were required for protective immunity but not for regulation of basophil …
Basophils orchestrate protection against reinfections with gastrointestinal helminths and ticks, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We investigated the role of Fc receptors on basophils, the antibody isotypes IgG1 and IgE, and basophil-derived IL-4/IL-13 during challenge infections with Heligmosomoides polygyrus and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. Using mixed bone marrow chimeras, we found that activating Fc receptors on basophils were required for protective immunity but not for regulation of basophil homeostasis. Furthermore, rapid worm expulsion was impaired in IgE-deficient but not in IgG1-deficient mice. Basophils promoted the recruitment of other effector cells into the small intestine and induced expression of the antihelminthic proteins resistin-like molecule β and mucin 5ac. Selective deletion of IL-4/IL-13 in basophils resulted in impaired worm expulsion. Collectively, our results indicate that IgE-mediated activation of basophils and the release of basophil-derived IL-4/IL-13 are critical steps in protective immunity against helminths. Therefore, development of effective vaccines against helminths should consider boosting the IL-4/IgE/basophil axis of the immune system.
National Acad Sciences