Fig. 2: Non-hematopoietic cells contribute to anti-Helminth mechanisms and tissue repair.
From: “Every cell is an immune cell; contributions of non-hematopoietic cells to anti-helminth immunity”
A Epithelial (EC), goblet (GC), and Paneth cells (PC) secrete factors that directly affect helminths. B Worm expulsion from the GI tract is accomplished by several coordinated mechanisms: mucus secretion by GC, smooth muscle cell (SMC) contraction controlled by cholinergic neurons (Neu) and serotonin (5-HT) from enterochromaffin cells (ECCs), among other cell types, and growth of the villi to push worms off the “epithelial escalator”. The intestinal stem cell niche (ISC) at the base of the villi controls cellular expansion and differentiation of specialized secretory cell types (e.g., tuft cells, TC, and PC) needed for the epithelial escalator and mucus secretion effector functions. C GCs contribute to tissue repair by secreting TFFs that can promote EC proliferation. ECs and macrophages (Mac) synergistically promote collagen deposition by myofibroblasts to repair damaged tissues.
