Helminth parasites are a burden for both human and animal health. During the course of co-evolution with their hosts, helminths have developed sophisticated methods to trick, evade and manipulate the immune system, suppressing Th1 and activating Th2/Threg responses to gain reproductive success. But it is not only the immune system that is involved in combating helminths. During an infection there is a tight interplay between the immune, hormone and nervous systems to regulate epithelial permeability, muscle motility, the activity of immune cells, mucus production and other mechanisms. Unfortunately, sometimes the host response to infection turns out to be too strong (“you shall not pass”) and leads to detrimental effects. To restrain negative impacts of a response, immune effector mechanisms are mitigated (“let`s make a deal”) which can be beneficial for both the host and the parasite; the host does not develop immunopathologies and the parasite is able to gain reproductive success. Nevertheless, helminth infections, especially during childhood, may have positive outcomes. During an infection the immune system is primed to be less responsive against host tissue and allergens, decreasing the risk of developing an autoimmune disease or allergies in adulthood.
Understanding the crosstalk between the immune, hormone and neural systems, and their impact on regulating the host response are crucial to the development of effective strategies to control helminth infections. Future directions may use information gained from helminths to manipulate the immune response and mitigate the symptoms of autoimmune diseases and allergies.
This Research Topic focuses on shedding light on the interactions between helminths and the host response. Reviews, mini reviews and experimental works will focus on
• Helminth interactions with the immune system
• Hormone status during helminth infections
• The nervous systems role in the response against helminths
• Molecular mechanisms used by the host to recognize helminths
Works regarding crosstalk between the neural, hormone and immune systems during helminth infections and the effect on host physiology will be especially welcomed.
Helminth parasites are a burden for both human and animal health. During the course of co-evolution with their hosts, helminths have developed sophisticated methods to trick, evade and manipulate the immune system, suppressing Th1 and activating Th2/Threg responses to gain reproductive success. But it is not only the immune system that is involved in combating helminths. During an infection there is a tight interplay between the immune, hormone and nervous systems to regulate epithelial permeability, muscle motility, the activity of immune cells, mucus production and other mechanisms. Unfortunately, sometimes the host response to infection turns out to be too strong (“you shall not pass”) and leads to detrimental effects. To restrain negative impacts of a response, immune effector mechanisms are mitigated (“let`s make a deal”) which can be beneficial for both the host and the parasite; the host does not develop immunopathologies and the parasite is able to gain reproductive success. Nevertheless, helminth infections, especially during childhood, may have positive outcomes. During an infection the immune system is primed to be less responsive against host tissue and allergens, decreasing the risk of developing an autoimmune disease or allergies in adulthood.
Understanding the crosstalk between the immune, hormone and neural systems, and their impact on regulating the host response are crucial to the development of effective strategies to control helminth infections. Future directions may use information gained from helminths to manipulate the immune response and mitigate the symptoms of autoimmune diseases and allergies.
This Research Topic focuses on shedding light on the interactions between helminths and the host response. Reviews, mini reviews and experimental works will focus on
• Helminth interactions with the immune system
• Hormone status during helminth infections
• The nervous systems role in the response against helminths
• Molecular mechanisms used by the host to recognize helminths
Works regarding crosstalk between the neural, hormone and immune systems during helminth infections and the effect on host physiology will be especially welcomed.