Helminth Cytokine and Chemokine Homologues as IM

The host immune response to helminths is partially controlled by cytokines as immune cell signalii molecules, and chemokines to induce cell-specific chemotaxis, in order to ehcit the appropriate antihelminthic response. Prolonged co-existence of helminths and their hosts have resulted in parasite developing homologues to human cytokines and chemokines that manipulates the host immune response in such a way as to prolong parasite infestation. Examples of helminth cytokine and chemokine homologues are shown in Table 6 and described herein. 

A rational approach to exploit the immime modulatory activity of helminths is the characterization of the IMs from helminths that can mimic the desirable anti-inflartunatory eflects of infection. In this article we have outlined various helminth IM described to-date. In the future, the identification of new helminth-derived IM has the potential to lead to the development of novel therapeutic strat es fr r the treatment of a range of human immunological and nonim-munolr cal disorders. 

Ihe authors are supported by Sdence Foimdation Ireland. We are grateful to the Fallon group for readily and commenting on the manuscript. 

Fallon PG, Mangan NE. Suppression of TH2-type allergic reactions by helminth infeaion. Nat Rev 

Yazdanbakhsh M, Kiemsner PG, van Ree R. Allergy, parasites and the hygiene hypothesis. Science 2002 296 490494. 

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