Understanding the laminated layer of larval Echinococcus II: immunology

• Published in: Trends in parasitology Vol. 27; no. 6; pp. 264 - 273
• Main Authors: Díaz, Alvaro, Casaravilla, Cecilia, Allen, Judith E, Sim, Robert B, Ferreira, Ana M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01-06-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adaptive Immunity; Animals; Antibodies, Helminth - immunology; Antigens, Helminth - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; echinococcosis; Echinococcosis - immunology; Echinococcosis - parasitology; Echinococcus; Echinococcus - immunology; epitopes; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte - immunology; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; General aspects; Glycosylation; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; immune response; Infectious Disease; Infectious diseases; innate immunity; Larva - chemistry; Larva - immunology; larvae; Medical sciences; Mucins - chemistry; Mucins - immunology; parasites; Parasitic diseases; parasitology; receptors; T-lymphocytes; Echinococcus; Immunology; Larva; Helmintha; Plathelmintha; Parasite; Cestoda; Invertebrata
• ISSN: 1471-4922; 1471-5007
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2011.01.008

The laminated layer (LL) is the massive carbohydrate-rich structure that protects Echinococcus larvae, which cause cystic echinococcosis (hydatid disease) and alveolar echinococcosis. Increased understanding of the biochemistry of the LL is allowing a more informed analysis of its immunology. The LL not only protects the parasite against host attack but also shapes the overall immune response against it. Because of its dense glycosylation, it probably contains few T-cell epitopes, being important instead in T-cell independent antibody responses. Crucially, it is decoded in non-inflammatory fashion by innate immunity, surely contributing to the strong immune-regulation observed in Echinococcus infections. Defining the active LL molecular motifs and corresponding host innate receptors is a feasible and promising goal in the field of helminth-derived immune-regulatory molecules.