Effects of Trichinella spiralis infection on intestinal pathology in mice lacking interleukin-4 (IL-4) or intestinal trefoil factor (ITF/TFF3)

The nematode Trichinella spiralis induces pathological changes in the small intestine of the host, which are known to be controlled by immune and inflammatory mediators. The detail of this control has still to be completely understood. Mice deficient in interleukin 4 (IL-4) or in intestinal trefoil factor/trefoil family factor 3 (ITF/TFF3) were infected with T. spiralis and the resultant changes in the intestinal mucosa followed by quantifying numbers of mucosal mast cells, goblet cells, Paneth cells and by monitoring structural changes in villus length and crypt depth. Mice lacking IL-4 were unable to mount a normal protective response to infection, such that worm survival was increased. These mice failed to mount a mucosal mast cell response, but did make goblet cell and Paneth cell responses comparable to normal controls. Mice lacking ITF/TFF3 similarly made normal levels of goblet cell and Paneth cell responses. They also underwent profound changes in mucosal architecture, with marked villus atrophy and crypt hyperplasia. These results are discussed in relation to known patterns of T cell and cytokine control of protective immunity to T. spiralis. They suggest that increased numbers of goblet cell and Paneth cell are not, by themselves, required for protective immunity. ITF/TFF3 appears not to influence cellular responses and does not alter parasite-induced pathological changes in the small intestine.