Helminth-derived proteins have immunomodulatory properties, influencing the host\'s immune response as an adaptive strategy for helminth survival. Helminth-derived proteins modulate the immune response by inducing anti-inflammatory cytokines, promoting regulatory T-cell development, and ultimately favouring a Th2-biased immune response. This systematic review focused on helminth-derived proteins and explored their impact on reducing inflammatory responses in mouse models of colitis. A systematic search across Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library identified fourteen relevant studies. These studies reported immunomodulatory changes, including increased production of anti-inflammatory cells and cytokines. In mouse models of colitis treated with on helminth-derived proteins, significant improvements in pathological parameters such as body weight, colon length, and microscopic inflammatory scores were observed compared to control groups. Moreover, helminth-derived proteins can enhance the function of Tregs and alleviate the severity of inflammatory conditions. The findings underscore the pivotal role of helminth-derived proteins in immunomodulation, specifically in the axis of cytokine secretion and immune cell polarization. The findings offer new opportunities for treating chronic inflammatory conditions such Crohn\'s disease.

ES-62 is a phosphorylcholine-containing, 62 kDa glycoprotein derived from the excretory-secretory product of Acanthocheilonema viteae, which is effective for the prevention and treatment of immune dysregulation diseases through triggering activation of immune cells, such as dendritic cells, mononuclear macrophages and regulatory B cells and mediating immune responses. Recently, the role of the ES-62 protein in the management of allergic, autoimmune and metabolic diseases has been paid much attention. This review summarizes the regulatory role of the ES-62 protein in immune dysregulation diseases and the underlying mechanisms, so as to provide insights into future experimental studies.
［摘要］ ES-62 (excretory secretory-62) 是源自魏氏棘唇线虫 (Acanthocheilonema viteae) 排泄分泌物中的一种由磷酰胆碱 修饰的四聚体糖蛋白, 可通过诱导树突状细胞、单核-巨噬细胞和调节性 B 细胞等免疫细胞耐受介导免疫调节反应, 以预 防或治疗免疫失调性疾病。近年来, ES-62 蛋白在过敏性、自身免疫性及代谢性疾病等多种免疫失调性疾病中的作用成 为研究热点。本文综述了 ES-62 蛋白在各种免疫失调性疾病中的调节作用及相关机制, 为进一步研究提供理论依据及 实验参考。.

Cystic echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. This affliction is an endemic worldwide condition that represents a neglected parasitic disease with important socioeconomic repercussions. Proteomic characterization of larval and adult stages of E. granulosus, as well as the association between expression profiles and host interactions, is relevant for a better understanding of parasite biology, and eventually for drug design and vaccine development. This study aimed to develop a synthesis of the evidence available related to proteomics of E. granulosus. A systematic review was carried out to collect data concerning the proteomics of E. granulosus, without language or host restriction, published between 1980 and 2019. A systematic search was carried out in the Trip Database, BIREME-BVS, SciELO, Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, EBSCO host, and LILACS, using MeSH terms, free words, and Boolean connectors, and adapting strategies to each source of information. Additionally, a manual cross-reference search was performed. Variables studied were the year of publication, geographic origin of the study, number of samples, hosts, parasitic organs, proteomic techniques, and parasite proteins verified. Nine-hundred and thirty-six related articles were identified: 17 fulfilled selection criteria, including slightly more than 188 samples. Most articles were published between 2014 and 2019 (64.7%) and were from Brazil and China (35.3% each). In reference to confirmed hosts in the primary articles, cattle (41.2%) and humans (23.5%) were the most frequently reported. Concerning proteomic techniques applied in the primary articles, LC-MS/MS was the most used (41.1%), and 890 proteins were reported by the primary articles. As the results of our search suggest, the information related to E. granulosus proteomics is scarce, heterogeneous, and scattered throughout several articles that include a diversity of tissues, samples, intermediate hosts, and proteomic techniques. Consequently, the level of evidence generated by our search is type 4.

OBJECTIVE: Proteins from parasitic worms have been posed as novel therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other auto-inflammatory diseases. However, with so many potential therapeutics, it is important that drug discovery be based on the specific phyla or species which show the most promising effects. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the reported effects of helminthic secretory proteins and derivative therapy on RA in an animal model.
METHODS: Medline, Scopus and Web of Science were searched to identify studies evaluating helminthic therapy in the collagen-induced arthritis model of RA. A meta-analysis was undertaken to determine the overall effect of the proteins. Subgroup analyses were also undertaken to investigate individual treatments.
RESULTS: Seven articles were included in the analysis. Overall, helminthic therapy significantly reduced arthritis score (SMD -1.193, 95% CI -1.525, -0.860). Subgroup analyses found a significant reduction in arthritis score following treatment with helminth protein ES-62 (SMD -1.186, 95% CI -1.633, -0.738) and phosphorylcholine-based treatment (SMD -0.997, 95% CI -1.423, -0.571). Subgroup analyses found ES-62 treatment significantly decreased IFN-γ levels (SMD -1.611, 95% CI -2.734, -0.487) and significantly increased levels of IL-10 (SMD 0.946, 95% CI 0.127, 1.765).
CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutics from parasitic worms are a promising avenue for drug discovery, especially with all included studies reporting a significant improvement in arthritis score. Based on pooled data presented in this study, the nematode Acanthocheilonema viteae seems to be of particular interest for therapeutics.

Helminthiases caused by parasitic nematodes are widespread in different regions of the world. The main adaptation for overcoming adverse conditions is a barrier properties of the cuticle surface structure, which differs from the membrane teguments of trematodes and cestodes. Different types of nematodes have specific structural and biochemical adaptations at different stages of their life cycle. While creating specific areas of habitat and nutrition, some types of parasites change the morphology and functioning of the host tissues. Ascaris suum and Caenorabditis elegans were widely used as model organisms in the study of genetics, biochemistry of nematodes. Studying of biochemistry and molecular biology of structural components of nematode surfaces is important for development of effective and safe anthelmintic drugs. The differences in the structure and functioning of transport enzymes of parasites and humans will help to create effective specific inhibitors and anthelmintic remedies. An important point of application of anthelmintic drugs can serve as inorganic ions transport proteins in the membranes of the surfaces. Glycolipids of cuticle contribute to the evasion from the host immune system, protecting the surface proteins from degradation by proteases. Study of helminth surfaces makes an important contribution to the development of anthelmintic drugs and vaccines, for helminthiasis treat.

Human diphyllobothriasis is a widespread fish-borne zoonosis caused by the infection with broad tapeworms belonging to the genus Diphyllobothrium. In mainland China, so far 20 human cases of Diphyllobothrium infections have been reported, and the etiologic species were identified as D. latum and D. nihonkaiense based on morphological characteristics or molecular analysis. In the present study, proglottids of diphyllobothriid tapeworms from 3 human cases that occurred in Heilongjiang Province, China were identified as D. nihonkaiense by sequencing mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (nad5) genes. Two different cox1 gene sequences were obtained. One sequence showed 100% homology with those from humans in Japan. The remaining cox1 gene sequence and 2 different nad5 gene sequences obtained were not described previously, and might reflect endemic genetic characterizations. D. nihonkaiense might also be a major causative species of human diphyllobothriasis in China. Meanwhile, the finding of the first pediatric case of D. nihonkaiense infection in China suggests that infants infected with D. nihonkaiense should not be ignored.

Significant progress has been made over the past 50 years in the control of schistosomiasis japonica in China. However, recent data suggest that the disease is re-emerging. By the end of 2003, Schistosoma japonicum was still endemic in 110 counties in seven provinces in the southern part of China where the long-term reduction of the disease has been replaced by an increase in the number of people infected and areas infested by the intermediate host snail, i.e. Oncomelania hupensis. Explanations are multifactorial, including the construction of the Three Gorges dam, major flooding events, recovery of the Dongting Lake and the possible impact of climate change. An efficacious vaccine against S. japonicum would represent a significant addition to the current arsenal of control tools, particularly in the framework of an integrated control approach. The vaccine could be targeted either towards the prevention of infection or towards the reduction of parasite fecundity. Although progress in this field has been relatively slow, encouraging results have been obtained in recent years using defined native and recombinantly derived S. japonicum antigens. These findings suggest that development of a safe and efficacious vaccine is feasible. This paper reviews the progress in the development of a vaccine against S. japonicum in China, and includes also data from foreign researchers who are engaged in collaborative work with Chinese scientists.

Although significant advances have been mode during the past 20 years, a better understanding of the orchestration of the immune response against a parasite candidate vaccine is still required for preparing vaccines which can induce the acquisition and the persistence of sterile immunity, without producing side effects in humans. This was, among others, one conclusion of the discussions between Thesis students and scientists. Only some aspects of the different steps of immune responses (recognition, protective effector mechanisms, cell regulation, cytokine activities, immunopathology, parasite escape mechanisms) are here reviewed. They are mainly related to malano and schistosomiasis, but also to other parasitic diseases, for which several experimental models have been developed.