Th1, Th2 and gene expression

[wallacesmum]

From the article "Th1 - Th2: reliable paradigm or dangerous dogma?" by Allen and Maizels, Immunology Today, August 1997

...infectious diseases, which have arguably been the driving force behind the evolution of the immune system. The existence of multiple overlapping mechanisms for immune defence against infectious disease has become starkly apparent, more so than in any other area of immunology. Pathogens themselves have evolved startlingly sophisticated means of immune subversion, such that their survival depends on a series of fine-tuned interferencne mechanisms rather than a generic ability to ignore 'Th1' or 'Th2' type responses.

Considering that aluminum (and other excipients) alter gene expression, understanding this is critical to the debate on epigenetics.

[TigerTail]

Thank you for posting that. If I am understanding correctly, that is where there would be a connection between varicella 'curing' a severe case of excema, right?

[wallacesmum]

I am really interested in the relationship between childhood illnesses and chronic illnesses, but I don't know anything about it.

[Deborah]

I first encountered these concepts from Dr. Philip Incao, who has written a couple of articles from the point of view of anthroposophically extended medicine. Basically, anthroposophical physicians feel that feverish illnesses are a normal and necessary part of childhood and the task of the parents and doctor are to support a child through these experiences for the maximum benefit.

[wallacesmum]

This is fascinating, too:

The striking conclusion from the examination of a large body of literature on helminths is that, although Th2-type responses may have evolved as a means to control helminth infection, the parasites now extant have adapted not only to avoid these responses but also, in all probability, to use them to enhace their own survival.

Helminths are internal parasites.