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Cited by 183Parasitic Diseases Research and TreatmentParasites and Host InteractionsInvertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms

Immunology of lymphatic filariasis

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Babu, S., Nutman, T. B.·2014·Parasite Immunology
DOI 10.1111/pim.12081PMC PMC3990654
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Abstract

The immune responses to filarial parasites encompass a complex network of innate and adaptive cells whose interaction with the parasite underlies a spectrum of clinical manifestations. The predominant immunological feature of lymphatic filariasis is an antigen-specific Th2 response and an expansion of IL-10 producing CD4(+) T cells that is accompanied by a muted Th1 response. This antigen-specific T-cell hyporesponsiveness appears to be crucial for the maintenance of the sustained, long-standing infection often with high parasite densities. While the correlates of protective immunity to lymphatic filariasis are still incompletely understood, primarily due to the lack of suitable animal models to study susceptibility, it is clear that T cells and to a certain extent B cells are required for protective immunity. Host immune responses, especially CD4(+) T-cell responses clearly play a role in mediating pathological manifestations of LF, including lymphedema, hydrocele and elephantiasis. The main underlying defect in the development of clinical pathology appears to be a failure to induce T-cell hyporesponsiveness in the face of antigenic stimulation. Finally, another intriguing feature of filarial infections is their propensity to induce bystander effects on a variety of immune responses, including responses to vaccinations, allergens and to other infectious agents. The complexity of the immune response to filarial infection therefore provides an important gateway to understanding the regulation of immune responses to chronic infections, in general.

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  • The predominant immunological response during filarial infection is antigen-specific Th2 stimulation, leading to an expansion of IL-10, along with inhibition of Th1 response.

    “The predominant immunological response during filarial infection is antigen-specific Th2 stimulation, leading to an expansion of IL-10, along with the inhibition of Th1 response, Babu and Nutman [18].”

    From Emergent and Neglected Equine Filariosis in Egypt: Species Diversity and Host Immune Response (2022) · cites this paper as Babu and Nutman [18]

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Authors
Babu, S., & Nutman, T. B.
Affiliations
  • National Institute of Research in Tuberculosis (IN)
  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (US)
Corresponding author
Babu, S.
ORCID
Venue
Parasite Immunology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2014-08
Volume
36
Issue
8
Pages
338-346
ISSN
  • 0141-9838 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-3024
DOI
10.1111/pim.12081
PMC
PMC3990654
OpenAlex
W2073067741
Cited by
183
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 3
FWCI
0.90
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Parasite Immunology (publishedVersion, public-domain)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • NIRT Institutional Scholarship Repository (National Institute of Research in Tuberculosis) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Parasitology › Parasites and Host Interactions
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
Keywords
lymphatic filariasis, Th2 immune response, IL-10, CD4+ T cells, T cell hyporesponsiveness, protective immunity, lymphedema, hydrocele, elephantiasis, chronic infection, innate and adaptive immunity, B cells
MeSH terms
Animals, Brugia, Disease Models, Animal, Elephantiasis, Filarial, Humans, Immunity, Cellular, Wuchereria bancrofti, CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes, Interleukin-10

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