SPECIFIC IMMUNE RESPONSES TO PARASITES
It is difficult to generalize about the mechanisms of antiparasitic immunity because there are many different parasites that have different forms and reside in different tissue locations during their life cycles (Table 10-4). Stimulation of CD4 TH1, TH17, CD8 T-cell, and macrophage responses are important for intracellular infections, and TH2 antibody responses are important for extracellular parasites in blood and fluids. IgE, eosinophil, and mast cell action are especially important for eliminating worm (cestode and nematode) infections. The efficiency of control of the infection may depend on which response is initiated in the host. Dominance of a TH2 response to Leishmania infections results in the inhibition of TH1 activation of macrophages, inability to clear intracellular parasites, and a poor outcome. This observation provided the basis for the discovery that TH1 and TH2 responses are separate and antagonistic. Parasites have developed sophisticated mechanisms for avoiding immune clearance and often establish chronic infections.
Extracellular parasites, such as Trypanosoma cruzi, Toxoplasma gondii, and Leishmania species, are phagocytosed by macrophage. Antibody may facilitate the uptake of (opsonize) the parasites. Killing of the parasites follows activation of the macrophage by IFN-γ (produced by NK, γ/δ T, or CD4 TH1 cells) or TNF-α (produced by other macrophages) and induction of oxygen-dependent killing mechanisms (peroxide, superoxide, nitric oxide). The parasites may replicate in the macrophage and hide from subsequent immune detection unless the macrophage is activated by TH1 responses.
TH1 production of IFN-γ and activation of macrophages are also essential for defense against intracellular protozoa and for the development of granulomas around Schistosoma mansoni eggs and worms in the liver. The granuloma, formed by layers of inflammatory cells, protects the liver from toxins produced by the eggs. However, the granuloma also causes fibrosis, which interrupts the venous blood supply to the liver, leading to hypertension and cirrhosis.