Mucin-like peptides from Echinococcus granulosus induce antitumor activity

Abstract

There is substantial evidence suggesting that certain parasites can have antitumor properties. We evaluated mucin peptides derived from the helminth Echinococcus granulosus (denominated Egmuc) as potential inducers of antitumor activity. We present data showing that Egmuc peptides were capable of inducing an increase of activated NK cells in the spleen of immunized mice, a fact that was correlated with the capacity of splenocytes to mediate killing of tumor cells. We demonstrated that Egmuc peptides enhance LPS-induced maturation of dendritic cells in vitro by increasing the production of IL-12p40p70 and IL-6 and that Egmuc-treated DCs may activate NK cells, as judged by an increased expression of CD69. This evidence may contribute to the design of tumor vaccines and open new horizons in the use of parasite-derived molecules in the fight against cancer.

Trypanosoma cruzi extracts elicit protective immune response against chemically induced colon and mammary cancers

“…7 We have recently found that immunization with mucin peptides derived from the helminth parasite Echinococcus granulosus can potently induce antitumor activity by increasing the frequency of activated NK cells and endowing splenocytes with the capacity to mediate killing of tumor cells. 10 In addition, we observed that vaccination with E. granulosus antigens (human hydatic cyst fluid) significantly inhibits colon cancer growth (both in prophylatictic and therapeutic settings) via induction of antitumor immunity. 11 Interestingly, mice immunized with hydatic cyst fluid developed specific antibodies capable of recognizing tumor cells, 11 consistent with previous reports indicating that parasites and cancer cells share common antigens.…”

“…Moreover, it was also found that malaria infection suppresses Lewis lung cancer growth via induction of innate and specific adaptive antitumor responses characterized by heightened production of Th1‐type cytokines . We have recently found that immunization with mucin peptides derived from the helminth parasite Echinococcus granulosus can potently induce antitumor activity by increasing the frequency of activated NK cells and endowing splenocytes with the capacity to mediate killing of tumor cells . In addition, we observed that vaccination with E. granulosus antigens (human hydatic cyst fluid) significantly inhibits colon cancer growth (both in prophylatictic and therapeutic settings) via induction of antitumor immunity .…”

Biology and Systematics of Echinococcus

“…Noya et al (2014) ½Q14 also demonstrated that mucinlike peptides from E. granulosus induce antitumour activity. In studies on the identification and characterization of Emp53, the homologue of human tumour suppressor p53, from E. multilocularis, Cheng et al (2015) concluded that since the parasite develops in host organs, it must have evolved a stress defence system, which could involve Emp53, to cope with various genotoxic and cellular stresses that may cause DNA damage and genomic instability.…”

Immune system in cancer and hydatid disease: cross‐reactivity vs. immune modulation

“…Indeed, O‐glycosylated Tn antigens produced by E. granulosus are highly found in the sera of the patients with hydatid disease . In addition, mucin‐like peptides from E. granulosus can augment nonspecific natural killer (NK) cell activity and expression of cytokines that are involved in antitumour immune responses . Thus, the pre‐existing immune mediators against E. granulosus Tn antigens can cross‐react and may initiate immunity against transformed cells.…”