Worm parasites, known as helminths, have just paved the way for developing innovative vaccines and therapies that combat infectious diseases and chronic inflammatory conditions.

Researchers from Helmholtz Munich, the Technical University of Munich, and the University of Lausanne, under the leadership of Prof. Julia Esser-von Bieren, identified a unique molecular strategy that these parasites use to evade host immune defense. 

Sina Bonacker, the first author of the study, said:

"This study represents a major step toward leveraging the sophisticated immune evasion strategies of parasites for clinical benefit." 

The research, published in Science Immunology, revealed that the critical protein, helminth glutamate dehydrogenase (heGDH), functions as a molecular switch within macrophages, a type of innate immune cell. As the protein enters these cells, it suppresses their ability to capture and kill parasites and activates regulatory pathways that prevent excessive inflammation that could damage host tissues. 

What makes this discovery even more significant is the revelation that heGDH achieves this through an epigenetic mechanism. This means that its effects on immune regulation are long-lasting.

By leveraging the protein's immune-modulating properties, researchers aim to create vaccines that effectively combat helminth infections, which the World Health Organization estimates affect nearly 24% of the global population. 

In addition to vaccines, the team is exploring therapeutic applications. Optimized versions of heGDH could provide new treatment options for managing chronic inflammatory diseases, such as asthma and allergies. 

Read the full article here to learn more about heGDH and the discovery's potential to unlock innovative vaccines and therapies.

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