Coordinating innate and adaptive immunity in Fasciola hepatica infection: implications for control.
The helminth parasite Fasciola hepatica is responsible for major economic losses in agriculture throughout temperate regions of the globe. Control measures are heavily reliant on chemotherapy resulting in the emergence of drug resistant parasite populations. Novel control strategies based on vaccination ultimately require a deeper knowledge of host-parasite interactions. Herein we discuss recent advances in the understanding of the immune response to F. hepatica placing them in context with previous knowledge and developments from other model systems. Advances in RNAi and proteomics in the context of helminth research should make target identification and characterisation more rapid. In parallel, integration of these technologies with better immunological understanding will be crucial for future research into F. hepatica control measures.
Flynn
Robin J
RJ
School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, College Road, Sutton Bonington Campus, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, United Kingdom. robin.flynn@nottingham.ac.uk
Mulcahy
Grace
G
Elsheikha
Hany M
HM
D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005210:Fasciola hepatica / Q000276:immunology*; D005211:Fascioliasis / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007113:Immunity, Innate
D016207:Cytokines