The newly discovered larvae active ingredient is said to help with asthma, better than cortisone – naturopathic portal and naturopathic specialists

Asthma drug discovered in parasite larvae

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

Researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Helmholtz Zentrum München discovered an active ingredient in the larvae of the roundworm Heligmosomoides polygyrus (Hpb). The Hpb-glutamate dehydrogenase protein 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 famous journal “Science Translational Medicin”.

How a parasite overcomes the immune system

Heligmosomoides polygyrus larvae survive in a very special environment. They grow on the intestinal mucosa of rodents until they are sexually mature. To keep the host from fighting larvae, they trick the host’s immune system, which would otherwise defend itself against invaders with inflammatory reactions, fluid secretion, and muscle contractions.

“The worm parasite larvae 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 overcome 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 Hpb-glutamate dehydrogenase protein. The protein activates several immunoregulatory metabolic pathways, which ensure that anti-inflammatory messengers are formed in the immune cells of the host organism while reducing the messengers that promote inflammation. In other words, the protein weakens the immune response.

A promising candidate for asthma therapy.

“The ability of glutamate dehydrogenase Hpb to weaken the immune response makes it a promising candidate for the treatment of chronic respiratory infections,” explains Dr. Comer of Beers. Because respiratory illnesses like 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. However, medications like cortisone have little effect on these messenger substances.

More effective than cortisone.

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

When will the active ingredient be available?

“We are in the preclinical phase and we still have many questions to answer,” emphasizes Eßer-von Bieren. For example, it remains to be clarified how the worm’s protein is absorbed by airway cells and what effect it has on the human immune system. Therefore, it could take a while for a finished medicine to be produced. (vb)

Important note:
This article contains general information only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. It cannot replace a visit to the doctor.