Research by Irah King and his team has uncovered a new way the immune system protects the gut, even when intestinal worms (helminths) are present for long periods. The surprising finding? A type of immune signal called interferon, usually known for fighting viruses, doesn’t kill the worms, but instead helps repair and protect the gut itself. This keeps the intestine working properly and prevents damage during infection.
Published in Cell, the research could lead to new treatments for digestive diseases that affect billions of people globally, from worm infections in developing countries to inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s here in Canada. The discovery shows that helping the gut tolerate infection might be just as important as fighting off the bugs.
This breakthrough opens up new paths for safer treatments that support gut health without harsh medications or surgery.
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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.
Researchers uncover novel immune mechanism that protects the intestine. McGill Health e-News. June 11, 2025.
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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 Jun 12;188(12):3135-3151.e22. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.03.043.