title: Molecular cross-talk in host-parasite relationships: the intriguing immunomodulatory role of Echinococcus antigen B in cystic echinococcosis.
abstract: Cystic echinococcosis (CE), a zoonosis caused by the development of Echinococcus granulosus tapeworm larvae in the internal organs of ungulates and humans, continues to pose a major public health burden in underdeveloped and industrialised areas worldwide. Research designed to improve parasitic disease control and find out more about parasite biology has already identified a number of E. granulosus antigenic molecules. The major E. granulosus immunomodulant antigen isolated from hydatid fluid is antigen B, a 120 kDa polymeric lipoprotein consisting of various 8 kDa subunits. By inhibiting elastase activity and neutrophil chemotaxis and eliciting a non-protective Th2 cell response, antigen B helps the parasite evade the human response. In this review, we briefly discuss current information on the molecular characteristics and immunomodulatory properties of E. granulosus antigen B. Besides focusing on findings that provide intriguing insights into the complex interplay between host and parasite, we suggest how this information could extend the current therapeutic options in inflammatory diseases.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy. alessandra.siracusano@iss.it
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siracusano
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Margutti
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Delunardo
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Profumo
authors.forename: Rachele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Riganò
authors.forename: Brigitta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Buttari
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Teggi
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ortona
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology; D048209:Echinococcus granulosus / Q000276:immunology*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D008074:Lipoproteins; C514022:antigen B, Echinococcus granulosus