Helminth-host immunological interactions: prevention and control of immune-mediated diseases

David E Elliott; Joel V Weinstock

doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06292.x

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Helminth-host immunological interactions: prevention and control of immune-mediated diseases

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Helminth-host immunological interactions: prevention and control of immune-mediated diseases

David E Elliott and Joel V Weinstock

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Vol.1247(1), pp.83-96

01/2012

DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06292.x

PMCID: PMC3744090

PMID: 22239614

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/3744090View

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Abstract

Exposure to commensal and pathogenic organisms strongly influences our immune system. Exposure to helminths was frequent before humans constructed their current highly hygienic environment. Today, in highly industrialized countries, contact between humans and helminths is rare. Congruent with the decline in helminth infections is an increase in the prevalence of autoimmune and inflammatory disease. It is possible that exclusion of helminths from the environment has permitted the emergence of immune-mediated disease. We review the protective effects of helminths on expression of inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and animal models of these and other inflammatory diseases. We also review the immune pathways altered by helminths that may afford protection from these illnesses. Helminth exposure tends to inhibit IFN-γ and IL-17 production, promote IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-β release, induce CD4(+) T cell Foxp3 expression, and generate regulatory macrophages, dendritic cells, and B cells. Helminths enable protective pathways that may vary by specific species and disease model. Helminths or their products likely have therapeutic potential to control or prevent immune-mediated illness.

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases - prevention & control

Humans

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases - immunology

Immune System Diseases - immunology

Immune System Diseases - parasitology

Host-Parasite Interactions - immunology

Interferon-gamma - metabolism

Multiple Sclerosis - parasitology

Multiple Sclerosis - prevention & control

Immune System Diseases - prevention & control

Helminths - immunology

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases - parasitology

Animals

Interleukin-7 - immunology

Helminths - pathogenicity

Interferon-gamma - immunology

Multiple Sclerosis - immunology

Interleukin-7 - metabolism

Details

Title: Subtitle: Helminth-host immunological interactions: prevention and control of immune-mediated diseases
Creators: David E Elliott - Division of Gastroenterology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
Joel V Weinstock
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Vol.1247(1), pp.83-96
DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06292.x
PMID: 22239614
PMCID: PMC3744090
NLM abbreviation: Ann N Y Acad Sci
ISSN: 0077-8923
eISSN: 1749-6632
Publisher: Wiley
Grant note: R01 DK038327 / NIDDK NIH HHS DK058755 / NIDDK NIH HHS R01 DK091987 / NIDDK NIH HHS DK38327 / NIDDK NIH HHS R56 DK058755 / NIDDK NIH HHS R01 DK058755 / NIDDK NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 01/2012
Academic Unit: Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984094521502771

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