Immune and allergic responses to Anisakis pegreffii, with focus on the roles of IL-4, IL-13 and the IL-4 receptor alpha

The fish-parasitizing nematode Anisakis pegreffii induces gastrointestinal disease and allergy when ingested by humans, and can cause occupational allergy in seafood processing workers. The present study examines immune and allergic responses to A. pegreffii in wildtype and gene deficient mice, with special focus on interleukin(IL)-4, IL-13, and the IL-4 receptor alpha (IL-4Rα). Experimental murine models of Anisakis infection, Anisakis-induced anaphylaxis and Anisakis-induced dermatitis were established in order to gain insight into the immune responses generated against Anisakis and unravel mechanisms of allergic disease.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Division of Immunology

Year dc:date.issued

2007

Author dc:creator

• Nieuwenhuizen, Natalie

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Lopata, Andreas
• Brombacher, Frank

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/3115

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/3115