Assessing diagnostic, vaccine and therapeutic potential of selected Trichinella proteins

Trichinellosis is an important zoonotic parasitosis caused by nematodes of the genus Trichinella. In humans, Trichinella infection occurs through the ingestion of raw or semi-cooked meat of animals infected with Trichinella spp. larvae, as the causative agent. Over the past decade, technological developments have enabled great achievements in the study of the genome, secretome and proteome of Trichinella. These achievements provide knowledge to screen, identify, and compare the proteins and antigens involved in the host-parasite communication and interactions with the host's immune system and thus constituting diagnostic, vaccine, or therapeutic targets. Much attention has been focused on identifying and characterizing proteins from different Trichinella stages to find molecules useful for serodiagnosis and vaccine development. This review presents a number of recombinant proteins examined as candidates for diagnosis of Trichinella infection. However, antigens suitable for improved early diagnosis or detection are not yet available. Identification of potential vaccine candidates against trichinellosis remains a significant challenge. Various recombinant protein vaccines have been reviewed to improve the protective effect against Trichinella infection in mice, rat or swine models. A considerable amount of research has investigated the immunomodulatory potential of Trichinella proteins. The application of total ES products as well as individual components in recombinant form, showed that they exert strong immunomodulatory effects and can act prophylactically or therapeutically in animal models of autoimmune diseases. This paper provides an overview and summary of recent achievements in the field of Trichinella recombinant proteins, emphasizing their potential application to diagnosis, vaccination, and modulation of allergy and oncogenesis.