Tumor necrosis factor alpha is a critical component of interleukin 13-mediated protective T helper cell type 2 responses during helminth infection.

In vivo manipulation of cytokine and/or cytokine receptor expression has previously shown that resistance to infection with the caecum-dwelling helminth Trichuris muris is dependent on interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 while susceptibility is associated with a T helper cell type 1 (Th1) cytokine response. Using gene-targeted mice deficient in tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor signaling and anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody treatment, we have extended these studies to reveal a critical role for TNF-alpha in regulation of Th2 cytokine-mediated host protection. In vivo blockade of TNF-alpha in normally resistant mice, although not altering IL-4, IL-5, or IL-13 production in the draining lymph node, significantly delayed worm expulsion for the duration of treatment. IL-13-mediated worm expulsion in IL-4 knockout (KO) mice was also shown to be TNF-alpha dependent, and could be enhanced by administration of recombinant TNF-alpha. Furthermore, TNF receptor KO mice failed to expel T. muris, producing high levels of parasite-specific immunoglobulin G2a and the generation of a predominantly Th1 response, suggesting that the absence of TNF function from the onset of infection dramatically alters the phenotype of the response. These results provide the first demonstration of the role of TNF-alpha in regulating Th2 cytokine-mediated responses at mucosal sites, and have implications for the design of rational therapies against helminth infection and allergy.