Helminth-derived immunomodulatory molecules

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2009:666:95-107. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4419-1601-3_8.

Abstract

Infection of man with parasitic helminths leads to potent activation and modulation of the host immune response. This modulation of immunity by helminth infections may have bystander effects in altering, either suppressing or exacerbating, unrelated inflammatory processes. Various ongoing clinical trials are testing the therapeutic application of helminth infection of patients with inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease and allergic disorders. Rather than the use of live helminth infection, with the potential for side effects, an alternative approach is to identify the immune modulatory molecules (IM) produced by helminths that can alter immune functions. In this review, we will focus on characterized helminth-derived IMs that may have potential to be developed as novel therapeutics for inflammatory diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Helminths / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / therapy*
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / therapy*

Substances

  • Immunologic Factors