The retinoic acid receptor agonist Am80 increases mucosal inflammation in an IL-6 dependent manner during Trichuris muris infection.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Vitamin A metabolites, such as all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) that act through the nuclear receptor; retinoic acid receptor (RAR), have been shown to polarise T cells towards Th2, and to be important in resistance to helminth infections. Co-incidentally, people harbouring intestinal parasites are often supplemented with vitamin A, as both vitamin A deficiency and parasite infections often occur in the same regions of the globe. However, the impact of vitamin A supplementation on gut inflammation caused by intestinal parasites is not yet completely understood.

Methods

Here, we use Trichuris muris, a helminth parasite that buries into the large intestine of mice causing mucosal inflammation, as a model of both human trichuriasis and IBD, treat with an RARα/β agonist (Am8

SUBMITTER: Hurst RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3825562 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature