Projects per year
Abstract / Description of output
Helminth parasites defy immune exclusion through sophisticated evasion mechanisms, including activation of host immunosuppressive regulatory T (Treg) cells. The mouse parasite Heligmosomoides polygyrus can expand the host Treg population by secreting products that activate TGF-β signalling, but the identity of the active molecule is unknown. Here we identify an H. polygyrus TGF-β mimic (Hp-TGM) that replicates the biological and functional properties of TGF-β, including binding to mammalian TGF-β receptors and inducing mouse and human Foxp3+ Treg cells. Hp-TGM has no homology with mammalian TGF-β or other members of the TGF-β family, but is a member of the complement control protein superfamily. Thus, our data indicate that through convergent evolution, the parasite has acquired a protein with cytokine-like function that is able to exploit an endogenous pathway of immunoregulation in the host.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 1741 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Nature Communications |
Volume | 8 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 23 Nov 2017 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- immune evasion
- parasitic infection
- regulatory T cells
- transforming growth factor beta
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'A structurally distinct TGF-β mimic from an intestinal helminth parasite potently induces regulatory T cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 2 Finished
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Helminths and the Immune System: Regulation, Regulators and Immunity
Maizels, R.
1/04/15 → 30/04/16
Project: Research
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Exploration of Helminth-Derived Immunoregulatory Molecules as Options for cellular or Pharmacological Intervention in Transplantation
Maizels, R.
8/12/12 → 7/12/15
Project: Research
Profiles
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Alasdair Ivens
- School of Biological Sciences - Director of Bioinformatics for CIIE
Person: Academic: Research Active
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Stephen Wigmore
- Deanery of Clinical Sciences - Regius Chair of Clinical Surgery
- Centre for Inflammation Research
Person: Academic: Research Active