The kinetics of local cytokine and galectin expression after challenge infection with the gastrointestinal nematode, Haemonchus contortus

► First reported time course of cytokine mRNA expression in the local tissue of the same animal after infection with a gastrointestinal nematode showing different levels of induction correlating with different life cycle changes. ► Decrease of cytokine expression during chronic adult infection. ► First kinetics of galectin-14 and galectin-11 mRNA and protein expression after helminth infection. ► Significant negative correlation between galectin-14 protein at day 2 post challenge and final adult worm burden, confirming that eosinophil killing of infective L3s may be the major mechanism of immunity in this system. ► Dramatic induction of galectin-11 protein and mRNA expression may correlate with mucus changes and prevention of re-infection.