title: Helminthic therapy: improving mucosal barrier function.
abstract: The epidemiology of autoimmune diseases and helminth infections led to suggestions that helminths could improve inflammatory conditions, which was then tested using animal models. This has translated to clinical investigations aimed at the safe and controlled reintroduction of helminthic exposure to patients suffering from autoimmune diseases (so-called 'helminthic therapy') in an effort to mitigate the inflammatory response. In this review, we summarize the results of recent clinical trials of helminthic therapy, with particular attention to mechanisms of action. Whereas previous reviews have emphasized immune regulatory mechanisms activated by helminths, we propose that enhancement of mucosal barrier function may have an equally important role in improving conditions of inflammatory bowel diseases.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10010, USA.
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wolff
authors.forename: Mara J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Broadhurst
authors.forename: P'ng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Loke
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000469:parasitology / Q000628:therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000276:immunology*; D006376:Helminths / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology*; D061147:Therapy with Helminths; D016896:Treatment Outcome