Immunomodulation by Helminths: Intracellular Pathways and Extracellular Vesicles

Amin Zakeri, Eline P Hansen, Sidsel D Andersen, Andrew R Williams, Peter Nejsum

    34 Citations (Scopus)
    34 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Helminth parasites are masters at manipulating host immune responses, using an array of sophisticated mechanisms. One of the major mechanisms enabling helminths to establish chronic infections is the targeting of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) including toll-like receptors, C-type lectin receptors, and the inflammasome. Given the critical role of these receptors and their intracellular pathways in regulating innate inflammatory responses, and also directing adaptive immunity toward Th1 and Th2 responses, recognition of the pathways triggered and/or modulated by helminths and their products will provide detailed insights about how helminths are able to establish an immunoregulatory environment. However, helminths also target PRRs-independent mechanisms (and most likely other yet unknown mechanisms and pathways) underpinning the battery of different molecules helminths produce. Herein, the current knowledge on intracellular pathways in antigen presenting cells activated by helminth-derived biomolecules is reviewed. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of helminth-derived vesicles as a less-appreciated components released during infection, their role in activating these host intracellular pathways, and their implication in the development of new therapeutic approaches for inflammatory diseases and the possibility of designing a new generation of vaccines.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number2349
    JournalFrontiers in Immunology
    Volume9
    ISSN1664-3224
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 12 Oct 2018

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