Suppression of inflammation by helminths: A role for the gut microbiota?

Abstract

Multiple recent investigations have highlighted the promise of helminth-based therapies for the treatment of inflammatory disorders of the intestinal tract of humans, including inflammatory bowel disease and coeliac disease. However, the mechanisms by which helminths regulate immune responses, leading to theamelioration of symptoms of chronic inflammation are unknown. Given the pivotal roles of the intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of these disorders, it has been hypothesized that helminth-induced modifications of the gut commensal floramay be responsible for the therapeutic properties of gastrointestinal parasites. In this article,we reviewrecent progress in the elucidation of host–parasite–microbiota interactions in both animalmodels of chronic inflammation and humans, and provide a working hypothesis of the role of the gut microbiota in helminth-induced suppression of inflammation.