This larval active ingredient is said to help with asthma – better than cortisone – naturopathy & naturopathic specialist portal

Asthma drug discovered in parasite larvae

Allergic asthma is common and treatment options are limited. A newly discovered active ingredient from the larvae of a worm parasite could help to dampen the excessive immune response.

Researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Helmholtz Zentrum München discovered an active ingredient in the larvae of the roundworm Heligmosomoides polygyrus (Hpb). The protein Hpb-glutamate dehydrogenase ensures that anti-inflammatory messenger substances are formed and at the same time the proportion of inflammatory messenger substances is reduced. The results were presented in the renowned journal “Science Translational Medicin”.

How a parasite outwits the immune system

The larvae of Heligmosomoides polygyrus survive in a very special environment. They grow in the rodent intestinal mucosa until they are sexually mature. So that the larvae are not controlled by the host, they trick the host’s immune system, which would otherwise defend itself against the invaders with inflammatory reactions, fluid secretion and muscle contractions.

“The larvae of the worm parasite would normally have no chance against these defense reactions,” reports Dr. Julia Eßer-von Bieren from the research team. But the larvae have active ingredients with which they outsmart the host’s immune response. “We want to use these evolutionarily mature active ingredients for the therapy of chronic inflammatory diseases,” emphasizes Eßer-von Bieren.

The parasite protein weakens the immune response

The research team was able to identify, analyze and isolate the substance responsible for the effect on the immune system. It is the protein Hpb-glutamate dehydrogenase. The protein activates various immunoregulatory metabolic pathways that ensure that anti-inflammatory messenger substances form in the immune cells of the host organism while reducing inflammation-promoting messenger substances. In other words, the protein weakens the immune response.

A promising candidate for asthma therapy

“The ability of Hpb-glutamate dehydrogenase to weaken the immune response makes it a promising candidate for the treatment of chronic respiratory infections,” explains Dr. Eat-of beers. Because respiratory diseases such as allergic asthma are often the result of an overreaction of the immune system. There is an overproduction of inflammatory messenger substances (leukotrienes) that trigger asthma attacks. Medicines such as cortisone, however, have hardly any effect on these messenger substances.

More effective than cortisone

The research team has already demonstrated that the parasite protein dampens inflammatory reactions in asthmatic mice. Studies on human cell cultures also gave good results. “We primarily looked at the effects on certain human immune cells, the macrophages,” explains the researcher. If these are permanently activated, chronic inflammation would result. By adding Hpb-glutamate dehydrogenase, the pro-inflammatory activity of the macrophages was significantly reduced. It has been shown that the substance is more effective than cortisone.

When will the active ingredient be available?

“We are in the preclinical phase and still have to answer many questions,” emphasizes Eßer-von Bieren. For example, it still needs to be clarified how the worm protein is absorbed by cells in the airways and what effects this has on the human immune system. So it could take a little while before a finished drug is made. (vb)