Immune regulation of protease-activated receptor-1 expression in murine small intestine during Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection

J Immunol. 2005 Aug 15;175(4):2563-9. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.175.4.2563.

Abstract

Infection with gastrointestinal nematodes exerts profound effects on both immune and physiological responses of the host. Helminth infection induces a hypercontractility of intestinal smooth muscle that is dependent on the Th2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-13, and may contribute to worm expulsion. Protease-activated receptors (PARs) are expressed throughout the gut, and activation of PAR-1 was observed in asthma, a Th2-driven pathology. In the current study we investigated the physiologic and immunologic regulation of PAR-1 in the murine small intestine, specifically 1) the effect of PAR-1 agonists on small intestinal smooth muscle contractility, 2) the effects of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection on PAR-1 responses, 3) the roles of IL-13 and IL-4 in N. brasiliensis infection-induced alterations in PAR-1 responses, and 4) the STAT6 dependence of these responses. We demonstrate that PAR-1 activation induces contraction of murine intestinal smooth muscle that is enhanced during helminth infection. This hypercontractility is associated with an elevated expression of PAR-1 mRNA and protein. N. brasiliensis-induced changes in PAR-1 function and expression were seen in IL-4-deficient mice, but not in IL-13- or STAT6-deficient mice, indicating the dependence of IL-13 on the STAT6 signaling pathway independent of IL-4.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Interleukin-13 / administration & dosage
  • Interleukin-13 / deficiency
  • Interleukin-13 / physiology
  • Interleukin-4 / deficiency
  • Interleukin-4 / genetics
  • Interleukin-4 / physiology
  • Jejunum / drug effects
  • Jejunum / immunology*
  • Jejunum / metabolism*
  • Jejunum / parasitology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Muscle Contraction / drug effects
  • Muscle, Smooth / drug effects
  • Muscle, Smooth / physiology
  • Nippostrongylus / immunology*
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology
  • Receptor, PAR-1 / agonists
  • Receptor, PAR-1 / biosynthesis*
  • Receptor, PAR-1 / metabolism
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor / deficiency
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor / physiology
  • Strongylida Infections / immunology*
  • Strongylida Infections / metabolism*
  • Up-Regulation / immunology

Substances

  • Interleukin-13
  • Oligopeptides
  • PAR-1-activating peptide
  • Receptor, PAR-1
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor
  • Interleukin-4