Oct 13, 2020
Parasites are a neglected area
of medicine and Rick Maizels is working to change that. But his
research also lends surprising findings in the human immune
response to parasites: allergy relief. With Professor Maizels'
accessible language and explanations, this podcast explores an
exciting step forward in both parasitology and allergy
research.
Listen and learn
Rick Maizels is a professor of
parasitology at the University of Glasgow and gives listeners a
clear lesson in the latest science of parasite research. He leads
listeners into the complex interchanges of
cellular and molecular immunology to explain how parasites have
the ability to dampen our immune system in ways that are sometimes
beneficial for us.
He explains that parasites are a neglected area of medicine because
they tend to infect the poorest parts of the world. Unfortunately,
past research money and efforts have gone to the needs of wealthier
world communities. But parasitologists are working hard to change
that. As they increased this research, they noticed a reciprocal
relationship between the prevalence of helminths and allergies. In
other words, helminths presence is inversely related to the
presence of allergies, as if parasites dampen "diseases of
modernity."
Professor Maizels explains this
in more detail and says there's a common theme: it involves the
"good cop" of the immune cell—the regulatory T-cell. The regulatory
T-cell makes sure that the immune response doesn't go into
overdrive or start attacking innocuous materials like the dust
mite. It turns out that the parasite can affect the host gene
expression in human body with products it releases. For example,
the hookworm release a protein that binds to the T-cell,
instructing it to make more. The overall effect is to dampen the
immune system.
He discusses more studies along these lines and the effect on
conditions like ulcerative colitis and celiac disease. They've also
found some parasites have wound healing properties, healing and
preventing infections in their entry point into the host.
Harnessing these findings can address parasitic infections in
poorer communities and offer therapeutics like vaccines to work for
immunity against helminths. Listen in to learn about additional
exciting discoveries.
For more see, Professor Maizels'
lab website: maizelslab.org.
Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0my