Gut-microbiota-derived extracellular vesicles: Overlooked mediators in host-helminth interactions?

Abstract

Helminth infections impact the composition of the mammalian gut microbiota; however, the mechanisms underpinning these interactions are, thus far, unknown. In this article, we propose that microbiota-derived extracellular vesicles might represent key players in host-helminth-microbiome crosstalk, and outline future directions to elucidate their role(s) in host-parasite relationships.

Keywords: bacterial extracellular vesicles; gut microbiota; host–helminth interactions; interkingdom communication.