Role of mast cells in the generation of a T-helper type 2 dominated anti-helminthic immune response

Mast cells are long-lived, innate immune cells of the myeloid lineage which are found in peripheral tissues located throughout the body, and positioned at the interface between the host and the environment. Mast cells are found in high concentrations during helminth infection. Using Kitw-sh mast cell deficient mice, a recently published study in Bioscience Reports by Gonzalez et al. (Biosci. Rep., 2018) focused on the role of mast cells in the immune response to infection by the helminth Hymenolepis diminuta. The authors showed that mast cells play a role in the modulation of Th2 immune response characterized by a unique IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 cytokine profile, as well as subsequent robust worm expulsion during H. diminuta infection. Unlike WT mice which expelled H. diminuta at day 10, Kitw-sh deficient mice displayed delayed worm expulsion (day 14 post infection). Further, a possible role for mast cells in the basal expression of cytokines IL-25, IL-33 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin was described. Deletion of neutrophils in Kitw-sh deficient mice enhanced H. diminuta expulsion, which was accompanied by splenomegaly. However, interactions between mast cells and other innate and adaptive immune cells during helminth infections are yet to be fully clarified. We conclude that the elucidation of mechanisms underlying mast cell interactions with cells of the innate and adaptive immune system during infection by helminths can potentially uncover novel therapeutic applications against inflammatory, autoimmune and neoplastic diseases.


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Given our limited understanding of the specific roles of MC during infection with H. diminuta, the study by González et al. [24] begins to define the immunomodulatory function of MC against this helminth in vivo. Mice are known to generate a strong Th2 polarized immune response against H. diminuta and clear infection in 8-10 days [25]. Using C57BL/6 mice with Kit W-sh/W-sh mutations, which depletes MC [26], a revealing picture is beginning to emerge suggesting a role for MC in effective elimination of H. diminuta from infected hosts. Previous studies involving infection by H. diminuta have followed MC activity using rat models, which generate a wide array of MC activation profiles dependent upon helminth dose and rat species, making the elucidation of MC effects on elimination of helminths from the gut lumen challenging [27]. In mice, activation of MC in response to H. diminuta infection has been demonstrated as indicated by the detection of MCPT-1, a MC biomarker detectable in serum [28]. Kit W-sh/W-sh mice lacking in a MC response as shown through the non-detectable levels of serum MCPT-1 have been used previously to demonstrate the wide ranging effects that MC can have in mediating an effective Th2 polarized anti-helminthic immune response in vivo [29]. During H. diminuta infection, Kit W-sh/W-sh mice produced an altered Th2 cytokine immune response profile, which differed in kinetics compared with infected WT mice. Interestingly, infected Kit W-sh/W-sh mice produced higher quantities of IL-4 and IL-13 at day 4, but lower levels at day 8 compared with infected WT controls. Levels of these cytokines are again reversed at day 12, with an apparent rebound in IL-4 and IL-13 production in infected Kit W-sh/W-sh mice. While this altered Th2 cytokine profile in infected Kit W-sh/W-sh mice appears to be MC dependent, additional studies are needed to determine the mechanisms underlying the unique kinetics of Th2 cytokine production during H. diminuta infection of Kit W-sh/W-sh mice. Nevertheless, these results suggest a role for activated MC in modulating Th2 cytokine production during H. diminuta infection, [30]. It must be noted, however, that while non-detectable levels of MCPT-1 are strongly indicative of complete absence of MC (which was used as a surrogate for MC in the study by Gonzalez et al. [24]), there have been demonstrated instances of a MC presence occurring in Kit-deficient animals [31,32]. Nevertheless, the delayed worm expulsion seen experimentally does demonstrate an as yet unknown role for MC in the optimal generation of an effective immune response against H. diminuta.
In addition to the aforementioned cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13), González et al. [24] found that basal expression of epithelia derived cytokines IL-25, IL-33, and TSLP in uninfected Kit W-sh/W-sh deficient mice was lower compared with uninfected WT controls. This suggests a role for MC maintaining homeostatic basal expression for these cytokines. Previous research performed using different helminth models demonstrates a role for MC in the production of IL-25, IL-33, and TSLP, suggesting the possibility of MC priming of these cytokines during early infection [4]. In H. diminuta infected mice, expression values were similar for these cytokines, indicating that while MC may assist in the maintenance of their basal expression, these cytokines can still be induced independent of MC during this helminth infection. While a clearer picture of the regulation of these epithelium derived cytokines is beginning to emerge, the precise immunologic mechanisms that underlie their production and regulation are still incompletely understood [33]. Increased expression of these cytokines has been linked to the allergic and asthma response [34], and a mechanism decreasing basal IL-25, IL-33 and TSLP expression may be of interest in potential therapy development. Importantly, these cytokines have each recently been attributed to having an important initial role in inducing a microenvironment suitable for Th2 polarization [35]. This correlation between reductions in these epithelial derived cytokines and the delayed Th2 response seen experimentally is further evidence in support of the Th2 polarizing effect of IL-25, IL-33 and TSLP in certain helminthic infections. Further research into the immunomodulatory roles and regulatory mechanisms of these epithelial derived cytokines, as well as their cross-talk with MCs during inflammation will provide insights into therapeutic approaches in the management of helminthic, gut-inflammatory and allergic diseases.
A clear understanding of the interaction between MCs and other innate and adaptive immune cells during helminthic infection is vitally important in order to clarify the nature of an effective anti-helminthic immune response. For example, the proportion of neutrophils was observed to be increased in the spleens of MC deficient H. diminuta infected mice. However, contrary to the notion that neutrophils could compensate for the lack of MC to confer protection against H. diminuta infection, Gonzalez et al. [24] found that depletion of neutrophils by intraperitoneal administration of anti-Gr-1 antibodies resulted in enhanced clearance of the worm at a rate comparable to infected WT mice. Furthermore, neutrophil depletion in MC deficient H. diminuta infected mice was accompanied by increased splenomegaly. These data present very interesting observations that warrant further study. While it has been previously shown that in vivo depletion of neutrophils can result in a more strongly polarized Th2 response in the context of helminth infection, the mechanisms that underlie this immunological response are not completely understood [36]. Further, in contrast with the data presented by Gonzalez et al. [24], neutrophil depletion in mice during Nippostrongylus brasiliensis helminth infection resulted in a decreased Th2 response and an increased susceptibility to infection [37]. These observations further support the wide variety and complexity of cellular interactions and immunological responses elicited by different helminth infections in vivo. As is the case with other parasitic diseases, infections with helminths require a consideration of pathogen and host associated factors in order to fully explain mechanisms of action and host immune response pathways. In the context of MC inhibition, it would be of interest to determine the impact of neutrophil depletion on immune response to other helminth infections.
As mentioned at the outset, the concept of helminth-based therapy exploits the immunosuppressive properties of helminth species to reduce the severity of gut associated inflammatory diseases. A summary of pre-clinical and clinical studies utilizing helminth parasites to mitigate inflammatory associated diseases is shown in Table 1. In the context of helminth infection by H. diminuta, a protective effect has been demonstrated against colitis in the affected host [23]. However, the relative contribution of immune cells in mitigating the Th1-dominated inflammatory response during helminth-mediated suppression of gut inflammatory diseases is unclear. Given that MCs modulate Th2 responses during H. diminuta infection, it was of interest to determine whether these cells contribute to protection against dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS) induced colitis in H. diminuta infected mice. DNBS has been used as an effective agent to recapitulate colitis in vivo [38]. Using this DNBS-induced colitis model, it was observed that both MC deficient and WT mice infected with H. diminuta maintained similar heightened levels of protection against colitis compared with uninfected mice, suggesting that MCs do not play any major role in this protection. Other studies have demonstrated that the epithelial-derived cytokine IL-25 mediates the anti-inflammatory protection by H. diminuta in DNBS-induced colitis [39]. However, it is likely that the protection against colitis exhibited by H. diminuta and partly mediated by IL-25 occurs independent of MC. Other factors might include an involvement of regulatory T cells and/or other myeloid cells involved in promoting a Th2 response caused by the presence of the worm. These and other possibilities provide exciting areas for additional research.
In conclusion, the study by González et al. [24] has increased our understanding of the host cellular factors involved in immune responses against H. diminuta. Results from the present study demonstrate that MCs do contribute to the timely expulsion of H. diminuta. Further, MC-deficient animals display an altered cytokine expression kinetic profile resulting in a delayed expulsion of intestinal helminths. The authors also suggest that MCs are involved in the basal expression of IL-25, IL-33 and TSLP by epithelial cells (Figure 1). A key question remains regarding the degree of MC depletion in Kit W-sh/W-sh mice during H. diminuta infection and what subset of MCs (mucosal MCs and/or connective tissue MCs) are depleted in this model. Nevertheless, it is clear that MC mediated immunoregulation during helminth infection is of great interest, given that the strong Th2 immune response generated during infection by helminths has been linked to a positive prognosis or shown to have a beneficial effect in many autoimmune and neoplastic diseases [40][41][42]. Consequently, therapeutic applications developed as a result of an increased understanding of helminth-associated immunomodulation, as well as the involvement of MCs in response to helminth infection, remains an appealing and worthwhile goal.

Author Contribution
N.M.R. and S.O. wrote the manuscript.