IL-1α protects intestinal barrier in murine visceral leishmaniasis.

IL-1α maintains intestinal barrier integrity and modulates immune response during murine visceral leishmaniasis, preventing dysbiosis and bacterial translocation.

• Why it matters: Understanding IL-1α's role in gut protection is crucial because visceral leishmaniasis involves systemic inflammation and immune dysregulation, yet its impact on intestinal health remains unclear.
• What they did: The study used IL-1R1 and IL-1α deficient mice, infection models, microbiota analysis, and bone marrow transplants to investigate IL-1α's function in gut barrier and immune regulation during VL.
• The result: IL-1α deficiency caused gut dysbiosis, increased permeability, and bacterial translocation, amplifying systemic IFNγ responses; these effects highlight IL-1α's protective role in intestinal and immune homeostasis during VL.