Immunotherapeutic Potential of Echinococcus granulosus Hydatid Cyst Antigens in Autoimmune Disease and Allergy

Abstract

This study explores recent advances in harnessing the immunotherapeutic potential of hydatid cyst antigens for the treatment of allergies and autoimmunity. The aim is to elucidate the immunotherapeutic mechanisms employed by these parasite antigens. The hydatid cyst is considered the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus, a parasitic helminth with life cycles involving a carnivorous definitive host (usually dogs) and an intermediate herbivore host (human, ungulate, or rodent). The two major species of this parasite with human public health importance are E granulosus and E multilocularis. E granulosus is a highly immunogenic organism that stimulates proinflammatory responses, significant antibody production, and T cell-mediated responses. Host adaptive immune responses to the parasite are T_H2 dominant, but responses are absent in one-fifth of patients. Diagnostic antigens from cyst fluid are well-known, and the high abundance of hydatid cysts in the lungs and livers of slaughtered farm animals has made it easy to access the source of cyst antigens. Emerging from current preclinical studies, antigens derived from hydatid cyst cells and fluid show potential for suppressing and regulating immune responses associated with allergic and autoimmune conditions, disorders which increase with Western-type human development.