Grant: Project Grant

Stunting-being significantly shorter than average for age-is a major health issue affecting about 30% of children under five in low- and middle-income countries. While poor nutrition is a key driver, recent research suggests that parasitic worm (helminth) infections may also contribute to stunting. These worms are common in areas with limited resources and can affect the immune system and how the body processes energy. To better understand the connection between stunting and helminth infection, we developed a mouse model where malnourished mice are infected with an intestinal worm during early life. We found that worms made the stunting caused by malnutrition much worse. This worsened stunting was linked to changes in the immune system, and a drop in levels of IGF-1-a hormone that controls growth. Importantly, we discovered that this process depends on activation of the immune response. Without it, the worms no longer caused extra stunting. These findings suggest that the body may trigger this type of immune response to help survive the infection, even if it comes at the cost of growth. The goal of this proposal is to uncover exactly how the immune system and nutrition interact in early life, and how this trade-off might protect the host from parasites. This knowledge could lead to better strategies to prevent or treat stunting in children living in areas where worms and malnutrition are common.