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

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.
(©2018 Society for Leukocyte Biology.)