Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, AgriBio, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia.
School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia, Mt Helen, VIC 3350, Australia.
Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Jan 23;24(3):2283. doi: 10.3390/ijms24032283.
Nematode infection is a major threat to the health of humans, domestic animals and wildlife. Nematodes vary in their effect on the host and in the mechanisms underlying immunity but the general features are becoming clear. There is considerable variation among individuals in resistance to infection and much of this variation is due to genetic variation in the immune response. The major histocompatibility complex has a strong influence on resistance to infection but other genes are collectively more important. Resistant individuals produce more IgA, eosinophils, IgE and mast cells than susceptible individuals and this is a consequence of stronger type 2 (Th2) immune responses. A variety of factors promote Th2 responses including genetic background, diet, molecules produced by the parasite and the location of the infection. A variety of cells and molecules including proteins, glycolipids and RNA act in concert to promote responses and to regulate the response. Nematodes themselves also modulate the host response and over 20 parasite-derived immunomodulatory molecules have been identified. Different species of nematodes modulate the immune response in different ways and probably use multiple molecules. The reasons for this are unclear and the interactions among immunomodulators have still to be investigated.
线虫感染是人类、家畜和野生动物健康的主要威胁。线虫对线虫宿主的影响和免疫机制的差异很大，但一般特征正在变得清晰。个体对感染的抵抗力有很大差异，这种差异很大程度上是由于免疫反应中的遗传变异。主要组织相容性复合体对感染的抵抗力有很强的影响，但其他基因则更为重要。与易感个体相比，抗性个体产生更多的 IgA、嗜酸性粒细胞、IgE 和肥大细胞，这是由于更强的 2 型（Th2）免疫反应所致。多种因素促进 Th2 反应，包括遗传背景、饮食、寄生虫产生的分子和感染部位。多种细胞和分子，包括蛋白质、糖脂和 RNA，协同作用以促进反应和调节反应。线虫本身也调节宿主反应，已经鉴定出 20 多种寄生虫衍生的免疫调节分子。不同种类的线虫以不同的方式调节免疫反应，可能使用多种分子。原因尚不清楚，免疫调节剂之间的相互作用仍有待研究。
