Molecular mechanisms of hookworm disease: Stealth, virulence, and vaccines
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
7-1-2012
Journal
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume
130
Issue
1
DOI
10.1016/j.jaci.2012.05.029
Keywords
Ancylostoma secreted proteins; Hookworms; immune modulation; proteases; vaccines; virulence factors
Abstract
Hookworms produce a vast repertoire of structurally and functionally diverse molecules that mediate their long-term survival and pathogenesis within a human host. Many of these molecules are secreted by the parasite, after which they interact with critical components of host biology, including processes that are key to host survival. The most important of these interactions is the hookworm's interruption of nutrient acquisition by the host through its ingestion and digestion of host blood. This results in iron deficiency and eventually the microcytic hypochromic anemia or iron deficiency anemia that is the clinical hallmark of hookworm infection. Other molecular mechanisms of hookworm infection cause a systematic suppression of the host immune response to both the parasite and to bystander antigens (eg, vaccines or allergens). This is achieved by a series of molecules that assist the parasite in the stealthy evasion of the host immune response. This review will summarize the current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms used by hookworms to survive for extended periods in the human host (up to 7 years or longer) and examine the pivotal contributions of these molecular mechanisms to chronic hookworm parasitism and host clinical outcomes. © 2012 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
APA Citation
Pearson, M., Tribolet, L., Cantacessi, C., Periago, M., Valerio, M., Jariwala, A., Hotez, P., Diemert, D., Loukas, A., & Bethony, J. (2012). Molecular mechanisms of hookworm disease: Stealth, virulence, and vaccines. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 130 (1). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2012.05.029