title: Regulation of the host immune system by helminth parasites.
abstract: Helminth parasite infections are associated with a battery of immunomodulatory mechanisms that affect all facets of the host immune response to ensure their persistence within the host. This broad-spectrum modulation of host immunity has intended and unintended consequences, both advantageous and disadvantageous. Thus the host can benefit from suppression of collateral damage during parasite infection and from reduced allergic, autoimmune, and inflammatory reactions. However, helminth infection can also be detrimental in reducing vaccine responses, increasing susceptibility to coinfection and potentially reducing tumor immunosurveillance. In this review we will summarize the panoply of immunomodulatory mechanisms used by helminths, their potential utility in human disease, and prospective areas of future research.
authors.affiliation: Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom. Electronic address: rick.maizels@glasgow.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Rick M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Maizels
authors.affiliation: Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Henry J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: McSorley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D060151:B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000276:immunology*; D006376:Helminths / Q000276:immunology; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology; D056747:Immunomodulation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D010271:Parasites / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D014612:Vaccines
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines
keywords: Allergy; infection; pathology; therapy; tolerance