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Helminth infections and cardiovascular diseases: A role for the microbiota and Mϕs?
1Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
Insights
Helminth infections may influence cardiovascular disease risk factors like atherosclerosis through immune and microbiota changes, aligning with the hygiene hypothesis. Further research into these complex interactions is needed for potential therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Cardiovascular Science
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a growing global health concern, particularly with changing lifestyles in developing nations.
- The hygiene hypothesis suggests reduced exposure to microbes, including helminths, may increase susceptibility to immune-mediated diseases like CVDs.
- Helminth infections modulate the host immune system and gut microbiota, potentially impacting CVD risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential role of helminth infections in cardiovascular disease risk.
- To explore the immunological and microbiological mechanisms linking helminths to CVD risk factors such as atherosclerosis.
- To discuss the challenges in establishing causal relationships and suggest future research directions.
Main Methods:
- Mini-review of existing literature on helminth infections, immune responses, microbiota, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Discussion of Type 2 immune responses and helminth-derived molecules in regulating metabolism and macrophage function.
- Consideration of novel experimental models, including rewilding mice, for dissecting host-environment-genetics interactions.
Main Results:
- Helminth infections can induce Type 2 immune responses and alter the gut microbiota, which may influence CVD risk factors.
- Helminth-derived molecules may regulate host metabolism and macrophage (Mϕ) function, presenting potential mechanistic links.
- Establishing direct or indirect causal links between helminth infection and CVDs is complex and challenging.
Conclusions:
- Helminth infections represent a potential, albeit complex, factor influencing cardiovascular disease risk.
- Investigating helminth-induced immune and microbiota modulation offers avenues for understanding and potentially treating CVDs.
- Advanced experimental models are crucial for elucidating mechanisms and developing novel therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular diseases.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular diseases are rising in developing countries with increasing urbanization and lifestyle changes and remains a major cause of death in the developed world. In this mini review, we discuss the possibility that the effect of helminth infections on the immune system and the microbiota may affect risk factors in cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, as part of the hygiene hypothesis. The effects of Type 2 immune responses induced by helminths and helminth derived molecules on regulating metabolism and Mϕ function could be a mechanistic link for further investigation. We emphasize the complexity and difficulties in determining indirect or direct and causal relationships between helminth infection status and cardiovascular diseases. New experimental models, such as rewilding laboratory mice, whereby different aspects of the environment and host genetics can be carefully dissected may provide further mechanistic insights and therapeutic strategies for treating cardiovascular diseases.
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