The type 2 immune response that develops during infectious disease has undergone major paradigm
shifts in the last several years as new cell types and pathways have been identified. It is now
clear that the type 2 immune response characterized by elevations in specific cytokines
including IL-4 IL-5 and IL-13 is associated with helminth infections in both humans and mice.
This response is complex and includes effector functions that mediate resistance contributing
to expulsion and in some cases destruction of the parasite. But just as importantly the type
2 immune response can also mediate tolerance mechanisms which can mitigate tissue injury as
these large multicellular parasites transit through vital organs. The tolerance mechanisms
include both tissue repair and immune regulatory effects. These latter aspects of the
helminth-induced type 2 immune response are increasingly recognized as a potential resource
that can be mined for the development of novel immunotherapies that may enhance wound healing
control of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and regulation of metabolic homeostasis. In
this book leading researchers in this exciting and dynamic field discuss the latest findings
and emerging concepts providing an intellectual framework that can be used as a basis for new
discoveries and potentially new treatments for diseases associated with inflammation.
