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Trichuris muris Infection: A Model of Type 2 Immunity and Inflammation in the Gut
Published on: May 24, 2011
Trichinella spiralis: shaping the immune response
Natasa Ilic1, Alisa Gruden-Movsesijan, Ljiljana Sofronic-Milosavljevic
1Department for Immunology and Immunoparasitology, Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy - INEP, University of Belgrade, Banatska 31b, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia.
Immunologic Research
|March 7, 2012
Summary
Trichinella spiralis parasites modulate host immunity via dendritic cells, promoting Th2 and regulatory responses. This parasitic interaction can suppress allergic and autoimmune diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Helminthology
Background:
- Helminth parasites and vertebrates co-evolve, exerting selective pressure on host immune systems.
- Dendritic cells play a key role in modulating immune responses to parasitic infections.
- Parasite-induced immune modulation can influence the development of allergic and autoimmune diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the immunomodulatory capacity of dendritic cells stimulated by Trichinella spiralis.
- To explore how T. spiralis influences Th2 and regulatory immune responses.
- To examine the potential of T. spiralis in modulating autoimmune conditions like experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on helminth-dendritic cell interactions.
- Analysis of in vitro and in vivo studies investigating T. spiralis-induced immune polarization.
- Examination of studies on the effects of helminth infections on autoimmune disease models.
Main Results:
- Dendritic cells exposed to helminths exhibit non-classical maturation and induce Th2 and regulatory T cell responses.
- Trichinella spiralis actively retunes the immune cell repertoire, moderating host responses.
- Parasitic helminths, including T. spiralis, can dampen or prevent allergic and autoimmune diseases.
Conclusions:
- Trichinella spiralis-stimulated dendritic cells are key in polarizing immune responses towards Th2 and regulatory pathways.
- T. spiralis demonstrates a significant capacity to modulate host immunity, impacting responses to both parasitic and self-antigens.
- The immunomodulatory properties of T. spiralis suggest therapeutic potential for autoimmune diseases.
