IL-4Rα-expressing CD11c+ cells contribute to driving optimal cellular responses during Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice

Abstract

Development of IL-4 receptor alpha (IL-4Rα)-dependent cellular immunity regulates host protection against acute schistosomiasis. In this study, we investigated the importance of IL-4Rα-expressing CD11c⁺ cells in driving the development of optimal cellular responses to Schistosoma mansoni infection by using CD11c^cre IL-4Rα^-/lox BALB/c mice, which lacked IL-4Rα expression on dendritic cells and alveolar macrophages. Abrogation of IL-4Rα expression on CD11c⁺ cells affected activation of CD4⁺ T cells, resulting in reduced numbers of effector CD4⁺ T cells and impaired production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines by CD4⁺ T cells ex vivo. However, secretion of both type 1 and type 2 Ab isotypes was unchanged in infected CD11c-specific IL-4Rα-deficient mice compared to littermate controls. Together, these data demonstrate that IL-4Rα-expressing CD11c⁺ cells play an important role in maintaining cellular immunity during schistosomiasis in mice.

Keywords: CD11c+ cells; IL-4Rα; acute; immunity; mice; schistosomiasis.