There is a rapidly growing body of evidence that production of extracellular vesicles (EVs) is a universal feature of cellular life. More recently, EVs have been identified in a broad range of both unicellular and multicellular parasites where they play roles in parasite–parasite intercommunication as well as parasite–host interactions. Parasitic helminth-derived EVs traverse host target cell membranes whereupon they offload their molecular cargo — proteins, lipids, and genetic information such as mRNAs and miRNAs — which are thought to hijack the target cell and modulate its gene expression to promote parasite survival. As such, EVs represent a novel mechanism of intercellular communication that could be targeted for vaccine-mediated interruption, given the abundance of surface antigens expressed on helminth EVs, and the ability of antibodies to block their uptake by target cells. In this Perspective article, we review recent developments in the field of helminth-derived EVs and highlight their roles in helminth vaccine discovery and development.
-
Cover Image
Cover Image
Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness. Among the parasitology topics covered in this issue are perspectives on various aspects of trypanosome biology: Kemmerling et al. (pages 573–577) look at the immune response against Trypanosoma cruzi in the human placenta, while Maya et al. (pages 579–584) discuss therapeutic strategies in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy, which is caused by T. cruzi. In addition, McCulloch et al. (pages 585–592) and Ooi and Rudenko (pages 593–600) explore antigenic variation in trypanosomes. Image credit: Kateryna Kon (Shutterstock ID: 520410646).
Extracellular vesicles as a target for the development of anti-helminth vaccines Available to Purchase
Roberto Docampo, Desalegn Woldeyohannes Kifle, Javier Sotillo, Mark S. Pearson, Alex Loukas; Extracellular vesicles as a target for the development of anti-helminth vaccines. Emerg Top Life Sci 22 December 2017; 1 (6): 659–665. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/ETLS20170095
Download citation file: