Diplomatic Assistance: Can Helminth-Modulated Macrophages Act as Treatment for Inflammatory Disease?

Abstract

Helminths have evolved numerous pathways to prevent their expulsion or elimination from the host to ensure long-term survival. During infection, they target numerous host cells, including macrophages, to induce an alternatively activated phenotype, which aids elimination of infection, tissue repair, and wound healing. Multiple animal-based studies have demonstrated a significant reduction or complete reversal of disease by helminth infection, treatment with helminth products, or helminth-modulated macrophages in models of allergy, autoimmunity, and sepsis. Experimental studies of macrophage and helminth therapies are being translated into clinical benefits for patients undergoing transplantation and those with multiple sclerosis. Thus, helminths or helminth-modulated macrophages present great possibilities as therapeutic applications for inflammatory diseases in humans. Macrophage-based helminth therapies and the underlying mechanisms of their therapeutic or curative effects represent an under-researched area with the potential to open new avenues of treatment. This review explores the application of helminth-modulated macrophages as a new therapy for inflammatory diseases.

Chronic infections with viruses or parasites: breaking bad to make good

“…100 Our increasing understanding of helminth modulation of immune function, has also led to the proposal that helminth-treated populations of cells, such as macrophages, be used in therapeutic applications for inflammatory diseases in humans. 101 These results warrant further studies in animal models and possible clinical trials to determine the efficacy of these findings in humans.…”

“…Each of these parasite‐derived products has a unique capacity to modulate the host immune system at many levels, including suppression of mast cell responses, dampening the activation of inflammatory T cells by dendritic cells and by promoting the induction of regulatory T cells . Our increasing understanding of helminth modulation of immune function, has also led to the proposal that helminth‐treated populations of cells, such as macrophages, be used in therapeutic applications for inflammatory diseases in humans . These results warrant further studies in animal models and possible clinical trials to determine the efficacy of these findings in humans.…”

Enteroparasites, Respiratory Allergy and Other Signs and Symptoms in Childs and Youth Population of Recôncavo of Bahia – Brazil

“…However, T-reg cells stimulate the production of IL-10, which regulates the differentiation of Th2 cells, decreasing its population (17) and other anti-inflammatory cytokines, inhibiting the production of IgE, and producing IgG4 by the cells B, thus attenuating the Th2 response (45). However, the mechanisms by which helminths stimulate such an immunomodulatory response still remain obscure, with many hypotheses to be tested (46).…”

Myeloid Cell Phenotypes in Susceptibility and Resistance to Helminth Parasite Infections

“…The combination of anti-inflammatory and repairpromoting functions of AAMs and the ability of helminths to induce this cell type has generated much interest in the potential therapeutic use of macrophages conditioned by helminths or by helminth products (73). So far, investigations have been limited to mouse models, but with promising results including inhibition of colitis with macrophages transferred from schistosome-infected mice (74).…”