Host defences against Giardia lamblia. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lopez‐Romero, G.; Quintero, J.; Astiazarán‐García, H.; Velazquez, C.
• Is Part Of: Parasite immunology. Volume 37:Number 8(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 394
• Page End: 406
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Veterinary parasitology -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; Host-parasite relationships -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; 571.96
• DOI: 10.1111/pim.12210
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-9838

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="pim12210-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <p> <italic>Giardia</italic> spp. is a protozoan parasite that inhabits the upper small intestine of mammals and other species and is the aetiological agent of giardiasis. It has been demonstrated that nitric oxide, <italic>mast cells</italic> and dendritic cells are the first line of defence against <italic>Giardia</italic>. IL‐6 and IL‐17 play an important role during infection. Several cytokines possess overlapping functions in regulating innate and adaptive immune responses. IgA and CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells are fundamental to the process of <italic>Giardia</italic> clearance. It has been suggested that CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells play a double role during the anti‐<italic>Giardia</italic> immune response. First, they activate and stimulate the differentiation of B cells to generate <italic>Giardia</italic>‐specific antibodies. Second, they act through a B‐cell‐independent mechanism that is probably mediated by Th17 cells. Several <italic>Giardia</italic> proteins that stimulate humoral and cellular immune responses have been described. Variant surface proteins, α‐1 giardin, and cyst wall protein 2 can induce host protective responses to future <italic>Giardia</italic> challenges. The characterization and evaluation of the protective potential of the immunogenic proteins that are associated with <italic>Giardia</italic> will offer new insights into host–parasite interactions and may aid in the development of an effective vaccine against the parasite.</p> </abstract>