Connection between hookworm infestations and allergy responses

Connection between hookworm infestations and allergy responses

In a groundbreaking development, the Malaghan Institute, based in New Zealand, has announced human clinical trials for studying the potential of hookworms as a medication-free maintenance therapy for ulcerative colitis and various allergic diseases.

The research, which was extended in September 2020, aims to investigate the possibility of using human hookworms to manage conditions like ulcerative colitis. This exploration is based on the understanding that hookworms produce enzymes and proteins that can modulate the host immune system, suppressing inflammatory responses and offering an anti-inflammatory effect.

Professor Graham Le Gros, who leads the team, has been studying the relationship between hookworms and allergies, particularly asthma. His research has shown that hookworm infection can decrease the activity of the human immune system, including suppressing regulatory T cells that are involved in inflammatory responses typical of allergies and asthma.

One mechanism involves helminth-derived proteins that act as immune regulators, altering immune cell signaling pathways and cytokine profiles to dampen inflammation. This can prevent the exaggerated Th2 immune response commonly associated with asthma and allergic conditions. Clinical research has demonstrated that deliberate low-level hookworm infection can relieve allergy and asthma symptoms, possibly by reducing immune hypersensitivity.

The team uses a New Zealand mouse version of the hookworm for their research, as it responds in the same way as the human hookworm and can be used in the study. The goal is to determine the protein and DNA sequence of the enzyme to potentially use it in therapies or vaccines to treat inflammatory diseases like asthma and other allergies.

The human clinical trials, which were funded by the Health Research Council and the University of Otago Wellington, involve up to 15 healthy Wellingtonians being infected with a low, safe dose of Necator americanus larvae and studied over the course of a year. The Malaghan Institute also has similar trials in development for perennial hay fever and a chronic, allergic inflammatory disease of the oesophagus.

Professor Le Gros' long-term ambition includes developing vaccines against asthma, allergy, and human hookworm. This ambition is part of a broader effort to control infectious diseases, an achievement that has saved countless lives through vaccines and therapies for infectious diseases.

It's important to note that hookworm affects about a billion people worldwide, causing malnutrition and illness in tropical countries. However, the hookworm used in these trials is a controlled, safe dose, and the participants are closely monitored throughout the study.

Trillions of microorganisms live in and on our bodies, with most needed for survival but a small number being harmful (pathogenic). The potential use of hookworms in therapy is a testament to the intricate relationship between these organisms and our immune systems, and the ongoing quest to harness this relationship for medical advancements.

In 2010, Professor Le Gros obtained a grant from the government to work on a vaccine that will stop people in other countries from getting hookworm. His work continues to push the boundaries of what we understand about these parasites and their potential applications in medicine.

In a 2019 Radio NZ interview, Professor Le Gros discussed his long-term ambition of developing vaccines against asthma, allergy, and human hookworm, underscoring his commitment to this field of research.

Professor Le Gros and his colleague, Mali Camberis, work together to develop vaccines against parasites and to treat allergic diseases. Their work represents a significant step forward in the quest to understand and manage immune responses, with the potential to improve the lives of millions suffering from inflammatory diseases.

1. The science behind hookworms as potential medication-free therapies for ulcerative colitis and allergic diseases has gained significant traction.
2. These therapies aim to manage medical conditions like ulcerative colitis by using human hookworms, which produce enzymes and proteins that can modulate the host immune system.
3. Professor Graham Le Gros, leading the research, has been exploring the relationship between hookworms and allergies, specifically asthma.
4. His research has shown that hookworm infection can decrease the activity of the human immune system, including suppressing regulatory T cells.
5. One mechanism involves helminth-derived proteins that act as immune regulators, altering immune cell signaling pathways and cytokine profiles.
6. This can prevent the exaggerated Th2 immune response commonly associated with asthma and allergic conditions.
7. The use of hookworms in research involves a New Zealand mouse version of the hookworm, which responds similarly to the human hookworm.
8. The aim is to determine the protein and DNA sequence of the enzyme for potential use in therapies or vaccines to treat inflammatory diseases like asthma and allergies.
9. The human clinical trials, involving healthy participants, are funded by the Health Research Council and the University of Otago Wellington.
10. These trials aim to study up to 15 participants over a year, with the Malaghan Institute also developing similar trials for perennial hay fever and a chronic, allergic inflammatory disease of the esophagus.
11. The long-term ambition of Professor Le Gros includes developing vaccines against asthma, allergy, and human hookworm, contributing to the control of infectious diseases.
12. Hookworm affects about a billion people worldwide, causing malnutrition and illness in tropical countries; however, the hookworm used in these trials is a controlled, safe dose.
13. The potential use of hookworms in therapy is a testament to the intricate relationship between microorganisms and our immune systems, emphasizing the ongoing quest for medical advancements.
14. Professor Le Gros obtained a grant from the government in 2010 to work on a vaccine to prevent hookworm infections in other countries.
15. In a 2019 Radio NZ interview, Professor Le Gros discussed his long-term ambition of developing vaccines against asthma, allergy, and human hookworm.
16. The research conducted by Professor Le Gros and his colleague, Mali Camberis, represents a significant step forward in the understanding and management of immune responses.
17. This work has the potential to improve the lives of millions suffering from inflammatory diseases.
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