Retinoic acid signalling in gastrointestinal parasite infections: lessons from mouse models

• Published in: Parasite immunology Vol. 34; no. 7; pp. 351 - 359
• Main Authors: HURST, R. J. M., ELSE, K. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.07.2012
• Subjects: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; gastrointestinal; helminth; Helminthiasis - immunology; Helminthiasis - parasitology; Intestinal Diseases - immunology; Intestinal Diseases - parasitology; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Mice; Nematode Infections - immunology; Nematode Infections - parasitology; retinoic acid; Review; Signal Transduction; Tretinoin - metabolism; vitamin A
• ISSN: 0141-9838; 1365-3024
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2012.01364.x

Summary Retinoic acid or vitamin A is important for an extensive range of biological processes, including immunomodulatory functions, however, its role in gastrointestinal parasite infections is not yet clear. Despite this, parasite infected individuals are often supplemented with vitamin A, given the co‐localised prevalence of parasitic infections and vitamin deficiencies. Therefore, it is important to understand the impact of this vitamin on the immune responses to gastrointestinal parasites. Here, we review data regarding the role of retinoic acid signalling in mouse models of intestinal nematode infection, with a view to understanding better the practice of giving vitamin A supplements to worm‐infected people.