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Dirofilaria repens is a zoonotic parasitic filarial nematode that infects carnivores and occasionally humans. Knowledge of the host–parasite molecular interactions enabling the parasite's avoidance of the host immune response in subcutaneous dirofilariasis remains limited. Parasitic orthologues of host macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) are molecules potentially involved in this process. Complementary DNA encoding two D. repens MIF orthologues (rDre-MIF-1 and rDre-MIF-2) was cloned into a pET-28a expression vector. The recombinant proteins were produced in Escherichia coli and purified using affinity nickel chromatography. The reactivity of both recombinant proteins was analysed with infected dog and immunised mouse sera. Stronger antibody production was induced by rDre-MIF-1 in mice, as evidenced by significantly higher levels of anti-rDre-MIF-1 total IgG, IgG2 and IgE antibodies than of anti-rDre-MIF-2 immunoglobulins. Additionally, a significantly different level of antibodies specific to both proteins was noted between the sera of infected dogs and those of uninfected dogs. This study is the first attempt to characterise MIF orthologues from the filarial parasite D. repens, which may affect the immune response during infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction:Fasciola hepatica (liver fluke) is a parasite of great socioeconomic importance. A number of fluke isolates have been identified; however, to date the differences between the immunomodulatory properties of different parasite isolates have not been sufficiently investigated. The aim of this study was to explore differences between the immunomodulatory properties of two F. hepatica isolates using unmaturated bovine macrophages.

Helminths are multicellular parasites that are a substantial problem for both human and veterinary medicine. According to estimates, 1.5 billion people suffer from their infection, resulting in decreased life quality and burdens for healthcare systems. On the other hand, these infections may alleviate autoimmune diseases and allergy symptoms. The immune system is programmed to combat infections; nevertheless, its effector mechanisms may result in immunopathologies and exacerbate clinical symptoms. This review summarizes the role of the immune response against worms, with an emphasis on the Th2 response, which is a hallmark of helminth infections. We characterize non-immune cells (enteric tuft cells—ETCs) responsible for detecting parasites, as well as the role of hematopoietic-derived cells (macrophages, basophils, eosinophils, neutrophils, innate lymphoid cells group 2—ILC2s, mast cells, T cells, and B cells) in initiating and sustaining the immune response, as well as the functions they play in granulomas. The aim of this paper is to review the existing knowledge regarding the immune response against helminths, to attempt to decipher the interactions between cells engaged in the response, and to indicate the gaps in the current knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]