Swiss scientists are taking lessons from a worm to come up with innovative medical therapies

New Delhi: Scientists are learning to develop new medical strategies for therapeutics and vaccines from a worm species. A study published 6 December in the journal Science Immunology by Swiss scientists observes the behaviour of helminths or parasitic worms to understand how they evade the immune responses of their hosts. 

Helminths have a specific enzyme called helminth glutamate dehydrogenase (HeGDH) which redirects the host’s immune cells so that instead of attacking the parasite, the cells start suppressing immune responses such as inflammation. 

In other words, the enzyme helps the parasite evade the host’s immune system and survive in the host. 

Through this study, scientists have finally figured out how the worm makes that happen, and the effects this can have on our own therapeutics. 

The epigenetic (relating to changes in the characteristics of an organism from altered gene expression but not DNA interference) process through which helminths are able to manage this immune evasion can be used to treat helminth infections in humans, the study said. But also, any process that reduces inflammation is helpful in therapies addressing asthma and other allergies that lead to inflammation.