| First Author | Soares MB | Year | 2001 |
| Journal | Am J Pathol | Volume | 159 |
| Issue | 2 | Pages | 703-9 |
| PubMed ID | 11485928 | Mgi Jnum | J:70868 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:2148407 | Doi | 10.1016/S0002-9440(10)61741-5 |
| Citation | Soares MB, et al. (2001) Modulation of chagasic cardiomyopathy by interleukin-4: dissociation between inflammation and tissue parasitism. Am J Pathol 159(2):703-9 |
| abstractText | Chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CChC) is characterized by an inflammatory reaction which may eventually lead to heart enlargement, arrythmia, and death. As described herein, interleukin-4-deficient mice mount increased specific T helper (Th) 1 immune responses when infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, as compared to wild-type mice. Interestingly, these mice had reduced parasitism and mortality and exacerbated inflammation in their hearts, demonstrating a clear dissociation between inflammation and parasite load. The modulation of these phenomena so as to maximize host and parasite survivals may depend on a fine balance between Th responses, in which a Th1 response will, on one hand, control parasitism and, on the other hand, enhance heart inflammation throughout the course of the infection. |
