Salzmann Manuel, Resch Ulrike, Boccuni Laura, Schneider Carina, Pichler Elena T, Brekalo Mira, Uhrin Pavel, Kronenberg Philipp A, Wassermann Marion, Romig Thomas, Wojta Johann, Hohensinner Philipp J
Department of Internal Medicine II/Cardiology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
Institute of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Centre of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstraße 17, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
Commun Biol. 2025 Jun 5;8(1):871. doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08283-6.
The helminth Echinococcus multilocularis relies on immune evasion strategies to persist within its host. The laminated layer (LL) surrounding the parasite provides physical protection while modulating host immune responses. E. multilocularis' immunomodulatory mechanisms are poorly understood and we explored the role of phytic acid, a known component of E. granulosus sensu lato. We show that phytic acid is also present in E. multilocularis-infected tissue and impairs macrophage inflammation. In vivo, inflammatory macrophages accumulate near the metacestode, yet do not express IL-6, indicating anti-inflammatory modulation. In vitro, phytic acid reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-1β by lowering intracellular calcium levels in macrophages. This calcium-chelating effect is mirrored by the anti-inflammatory properties of an E. multilocularis metacestode extract, revealing a protein-independent immune modulation strategy. These findings suggest that phytic acid plays a crucial role in E. multilocularis' ability to suppress host immune responses and supports the parasite's long-term survival.
多房棘球绦虫这种蠕虫依靠免疫逃避策略在其宿主体内生存。寄生虫周围的分层层（LL）在调节宿主免疫反应的同时提供物理保护。多房棘球绦虫的免疫调节机制尚不清楚，我们探究了植酸（细粒棘球绦虫复合体的一种已知成分）的作用。我们发现，在多房棘球绦虫感染的组织中也存在植酸，它会损害巨噬细胞炎症反应。在体内，炎性巨噬细胞在原头蚴附近积聚，但不表达白细胞介素-6（IL-6），表明存在抗炎调节。在体外，植酸通过降低巨噬细胞内的钙水平来减少白细胞介素-6和白细胞介素-1β等促炎细胞因子。多房棘球绦虫原头蚴提取物的抗炎特性也体现了这种钙螯合效应，揭示了一种不依赖蛋白质的免疫调节策略。这些发现表明，植酸在多房棘球绦虫抑制宿主免疫反应的能力中起着关键作用，并支持寄生虫的长期生存。
