Helminths and allergy: the example of tropomyosin.
Parasitic worms contain potent allergens, but epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that infections with certain helminths are negatively associated with the prevalence of allergic diseases. This seeming contradiction can be addressed by using filarial tropomyosin as an example. This protein shares structural features and crossreacting B-cell epitopes with other highly allergenic invertebrate tropomyosins. Nevertheless, it usually does not provoke allergic disease in infected individuals. In addition, it is one of the most prominent candidates for an anti-nematode vaccine. Recent data suggest mechanisms that might prevent hosts from developing allergic reactions against allergens of their parasites, such as filarial tropomyosin.
Sereda
Michal J
MJ
Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 14, Berlin, Germany.
Hartmann
Susanne
S
Lucius
Richard
R
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D003429:Cross Reactions; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D009348:Nematoda / Q000276:immunology; D014335:Tropomyosin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens; D014335:Tropomyosin