Helminth infections: therapeutic potential in autoimmune disorders

Abstract

Knowledge of immunity enables us to predict that the reactions set in response to infection with helminth would prevent concomitant disease driven by an opposing spectrum of immune events. In another way, the immune response generated to combat the helminth infection could counteract the immunopathological reactions that drive autoimmune diseases. Rodent model systems recapitulate many aspects of human autoimmune diseases and have been enormously useful in defining mechanisms of immunopathology after infection. From this theoretical perspective, many researchers have proved that infection with a variety of helminth can ameliorate disease in murine model systems. Thus, helminth-evoked Th2 events were shown to improve disorders in which Th1 events predominated. This raised the question, 'Can this information be translated into therapies for autoimmune diseases in humans via actual infection, cell delivery or drug intervention?' In this review, we will present some experimental trails to treat autoimmune disorders through establishment of some parasitic infections.

Anti-Arthritic Activity of Schistosoma mansoni and Trichinella spiralis Derived-Antigens in Adjuvant Arthritis in Rats: Role of FOXP3+ Treg Cells

“…However, it remains the art of convincing a patient to get infected by a parasite to ameliorate another disease. Here arises the concept of using helminthic derived molecules or antigens instead [11–13] Schistosoma mansoni ( S . mansoni ) is one of the few helminthes that has been reported to have an effect in arthritic disease.…”

A benign helminth alters the host immune system and the gut microbiota in a rat model system

“…Helminths modulate the mammalian immune system, and as a result they are candidates for therapeutic agents in the treatment and prevention of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). To date, clinical trials of helminth therapy have had mixed success [ 51 ]. The microbiota constitute a major part of the gut ecosystem [ 12 ], and are also implicated in IMIDs development [ 13 ].…”

Trichinella Spiralis Infection Protects Against Ovalbumininduced Allergic Bronchial Asthma in a Murine Model

“…The effects may indirectly help the host by protecting him from autoimmune or atopic diseases (Cheng et al, 2018). The accumulation of scientific evidence supports the beneficial effects of some parasitic infections in animal models of allergic disorders (Chenery et al, 2016;Obieglo et al, 2018) and autoimmune diseases (El- Malky et al, 2011). The hopeful results from clinical studies supported the suppressor effect of some parasitic infections on these diseases (Fleming et al, 2011;Summers et al, 2005).…”