Trichinella spiralis immunomodulation: an interactive multifactorial process

Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2013 Jul;9(7):669-75. doi: 10.1586/1744666X.2013.811187.

Abstract

Many epidemiological data support the postulate that infection with helminths might provide some protection against allergic and autoimmune diseases. Hence arises the concept that helminths strongly influence the immune system and enable protective pathways against these hyperimmune-associated disorders. This review discusses how Trichinella spiralis can make the immune system smarter in dealing with hyperimmune-associated disorders. T. spiralis possesses the capacity to direct the immune system towards a mixed Th1/Th2 phenotype with predominance of Th2 response, or it may interfere with dendritic cell maturation, induce the alternatively activated macrophages and elicit the regulatory arm of the immune response via Treg or regulatory B cells.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / complications
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / complications
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Immunomodulation
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / microbiology
  • Th1-Th2 Balance
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / microbiology
  • Trichinella spiralis / immunology*
  • Trichinellosis / complications
  • Trichinellosis / immunology*