Figure 2.

Functions of natural helper (NH) cells. (a) Interleukin-5 (IL-5) and IL-6 constitutively produced by NH cells support IgA production by B cells. Interleukin-5 supports the survival of B1 cells in the peritoneal cavity. (b) Upon helminth infection, IL-33 produced by epithelial cells, endothelial cells and adipocytes induce high level of IL-5 and IL-13 by NH cells, inducing eosinophilia and goblet cell hyperplasia, which play important roles in an early phase of anti-helminth immune responses.