Research led by Dr. Irah King has uncovered a surprising immune defense mechanism that protects the gut during persistent infection. By studying helminths (intestinal worms) Dr. King and his team found that certain immune signals, called interferons, don’t attack the worms directly but instead act on the intestine’s structural cells (stromal cells) to limit damage and maintain gut function. Their findings, published in Cell, offer a new understanding of how the body tolerates infection rather than eliminating it, and could lead to new treatments for digestive diseases affecting billions globally.
This research is particularly important in areas where intestinal infections are common and can cause long-term damage like scarring and inflammation. It also has implications for conditions like Crohn’s disease and intestinal fibrosis, which can result from excessive immune responses or chronic inflammation. By revealing how the immune system can preserve organ function without fully clearing the infection, the study opens new doors for developing therapies that reduce harm while supporting recovery. The findings could also revive older therapeutic strategies that were previously dismissed because we didn’t fully understand how they worked.
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A type 1 immune-stromal cell network mediates disease tolerance against intestinal infection. Westfall S, Gentile ME, Olsen TM, Karo-Atar D, Bogza A, Röstel F, Pardy RD, Mandato G, Fontes G, Herbert D, Melichar HJ, Abadie V, Richer MJ, Vinh DC, Koenig JFE, Harrison OJ, Divangahi M, Weis S, Gregorieff A, King IL. Cell. 2025 Apr 22:S0092-8674(25)00395-2.
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Researchers uncover novel immune mechanism that protects the intestine. By studying intestinal worms, scientists from The Institute make a breakthrough in gut immunity—opening the door to improved treatments for global digestive disorders. The Institute News. May 29, 2025.