Virus-helminthcoinfection reveals a microbiota-independent mechanism of immunomodulation

Lisa C. Osborne, Laurel A. Monticelli, Timothy J. Nice, Tara E. Sutherland, Mark C. Siracusa, Matthew R. Hepworth, Vesselin T. Tomov, Dmytro Kobuley, Sara V. Tran, Kyle Bittinger, Aubrey G. Bailey, Alice L. Laughlin, Jean Luc Boucher, E. John Wherry, Frederic D. Bushman, Judith E. Allen, Herbert W. Virgin, David Artis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

211 Scopus citations

Abstract

The mammalian intestine is colonized by beneficial commensal bacteria and is a site of infection by pathogens, including helminth parasites. Helminths induce potent immunomodulatory effects, but whether these effects are mediated by direct regulation of host immunity or indirectly through eliciting changes in the microbiota is unknown. We tested this in the context of virus-helminth coinfection. Helminth coinfection resulted in impaired antiviral immunity and was associated with changes in the microbiota and STAT6-dependent helminth-induced alternative activation of macrophages. Notably, helminth-induced impairment of antiviral immunity was evident in germ-free mice, but neutralization of Ym1, a chitinase-like molecule that is associated with alternatively activated macrophages, could partially restore antiviral immunity. These data indicate that helminth-induced immunomodulation occurs independently of changes in the microbiota but is dependent on Ym1.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)578-582
Number of pages5
JournalScience
Volume345
Issue number6196
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2014
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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