The immune system of maggots of the blow fly (Calliphora vicina) as a source of medicinal drugs

Abstract

Studies of cellular and humoral immunity of the blow fly Calliphora vicina maggot revealed three groups of pharmacologically active substances that are perspective for use in medicine: alloferons, allocations, and antimicrobial peptides. Alloferons are the C. vicina peptide family selectively stimulating cytotoxic activity of the natural killer cells, an evolutionary ancient group of immunocompetent cells playing the key role in antiviral and antitumoral immunity of mammals. Alloferons are used in medicine for treatment of herpes viral infections and viral hepatitis B. Allostatins are synthetic peptides combining structural characteristics both of alloferons and of some mammalian immunoactive proteins. Allostatins, like alloferons, stimulate cytotoxic activity of the natural killer cells and interferon production, but, unlike alloferons, have pronounced adjuvant properties, i. e., the ability to enhance immune recognition of alien (non-self) antigens. At present, allostatins are used to enhance resistance of skin and mucous membranes to viral infections; in future, they might find use in immunotherapy of cancer and other diseases. One more group of proteins and peptides of the C. vicina maggot immune response, which are promising for use in medicine, serve antimicrobial peptides. The study of the preparation whose composition inclusdes defensins, cecropins, diptericins, and proline-rich peptides of C. vicina show that this type of drugs has great potential for treatment and prevention of antibiotic-resistant infections. © 2011 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.