A helminth chitinase structurally similar to mammalian chitinase displays immunomodulatory properties

Abstract

AbstractPreviously, we reported significant immunomodulatory effects of the entire excretory-secretory (ES) proteins of the first larval stage (L1) of the gastrointestinal nematodeTrichuris suisin a rodent model of allergic hyperreactivity. In the present study, we aimed to identify the proteins accounting for the modulatory effects of theT. suisL1 ES proteins and thus studied selected components for their immunomodulatory efficacy in an OVA-induced allergic airway disease model. In particular, an enzymatically activeT. suischitinase mediated amelioration of airway hyperreactivity, primarily associated with suppression of eosinophil recruitment into the lung. The three-dimensional structure of theT. suischitinase as determined by high-resolution X-ray crystallography revealed significant similarities to mouse acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase). In addition, the unique ability ofT. suischitinase to form dimers, as well as acidic surface patches within the dimerization region may contribute to the formation of cross-reactive antibodies to the mouse homologs. This hypothesis is supported by the observation thatT. suischitinase treatment induced cross-reactive antibodies to mouse AMCase and chitinase-like protein BRP-39 in the AHR model. In conclusion, a biologically activeT. suischitinase exhibits immunomodulatory properties despite its structural similarity to the mammalian counterpart.Author summaryExperimental immunotherapy via reintroduction of intestinal worms to treat and prevent autoimmune, chronic inflammatory or allergic diseases is being discussed but the underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. Here, we investigated the immunomodulatory potential of specific proteins of the whipwormTrichuris suisthat are secreted very early during larval development. Using a murine model of allergic lung disease, we show that in particular oneT. suisprotein, functionally characterized as an active chitinase, is reducing the lung inflammation. TheT. suischitinases three-dimensional protein structure revealed remarkable similarities to the hosts’ chitinase, an enzyme known to play a pivotal role in lung allergy. We also show that treatment with the helminth chitinase induced cross-reactive antibody responses against murine chitinase and chitinase-like proteins, both being inflammatory marker and regulators of type 2 immunity. Thus, our study provides a novel mechanism of immunomodulation by helminth components and may contribute to a better understanding of clinical responses of patients receiving helminthic therapy.