title: Neuroprotective potential beyond immunoregulation of helminth infection as a therapeutic target in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common disabling autoimmune disease in young adults which does not have an effective treatment. The prevalence of immune-mediated diseases is higher in developed countries with hygienic environments, suggesting that helminthic infection may protect from autoimmune diseases. Previously, we reported that soluble egg antigens (SEA) from Schistosoma japonicum suppressed experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS, through up-regulating T helper-2 (Th2) immune responses in both the peripheral and central target organs. Neurotrophins (NTs) are not exclusive to the nervous system. While immune cells, especially Th2 cells, can produce and secrete a variety of NTs resulting in neuroprotective immunity. NTs can also modulate immune responses by augmenting Th2 responses and downregulating Th1 responses. Interestingly, nerve growth factor (NGF) has been found in liver granulomas of Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice. Moreover, in the central nervous system of chronic schistosomiasis, NGF is increased. A hypothesis is hereby proposed - SEA derived from S. japonicum bears neuroprotective properties beyond its immunomodulatory effects. SEA can induce the expression of NTs, which in turn augment Th2 immune responses induced by SEA; whereby a positive regulatory circuit between Th2 responses and NTs comes into being.
authors: Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China.
authors: Xue-Ping
authors: XP
authors: Zheng
authors: Hong-Liang
authors: HL
authors: Zhang
authors: Hai-Feng
authors: HF
authors: Li
authors: Mei-Zeng
authors: MZ
authors: Zhang
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Qiu
authors: Xue-Qiang
authors: XQ
authors: Hu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology*; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology*; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012549:Schistosoma japonicum / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; C079442:gp50 protein, Schistosoma; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor