Dr Lorna Proudfoot L.Proudfoot@napier.ac.uk
Lecturer
Parasitic helminths tip the balance: potential anti-inflammatory therapies
Proudfoot, Lorna
Authors
Abstract
Parasitic helminths are worms that are classified within the phyla Nematoda (roundworms) and Platyhelminthes (flatworms) (see Table 1). Some nematode species, Filariae being a notable example, are able to coexist with their human host for decades. Interestingly, although millions suffer severe morbidity, a lower incidence of allergy and autoimmune disease has been reported in infected individuals.1,2 Viral and bacterial infections, and autoimmune diseases such as type I diabetes and multiple sclerosis typically induce a T helper type 1 (Th1) pro-inflammatory response producing cytokines such as interleukin-12 (IL-12), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Chronic parasitic helminth infection is associated with high levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), eosinophilia, mastocytosis and a predominantly Th2 immune response. This Th2 response is characterized by production of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IL-13,3 a cytokine pattern that is also linked to an anti-inflammatory phenotype. There is evidence that a Th2 response is protective in the case of gastrointestinal nematodes.4 However, there is also overwhelming evidence from other helminth infections that a Th2 response may provide an anti-inflammatory regulatory environment.1,5 The counter-regulatory effects of Th1 and Th2 cytokines can be seen in many immune responses and there is strong evidence that the Th2 response generated by helminths can down-regulate Th1 responsiveness to other infections.
Journal Article Type | Article |
---|---|
Acceptance Date | Sep 13, 2004 |
Online Publication Date | Dec 1, 2004 |
Publication Date | 2004-12 |
Deposit Date | Jun 28, 2017 |
Journal | Immunology |
Print ISSN | 0019-2805 |
Electronic ISSN | 1365-2567 |
Publisher | Wiley |
Peer Reviewed | Peer Reviewed |
Volume | 113 |
Issue | 4 |
Pages | 438-440 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2567.2004.01996.x |
Keywords | Immunology, Allergy, |
Public URL | http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/953682 |
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