Hookworm infection modulates lung and intestinal transcriptomic responses to SARS-CoV-2 in Syrian hamsters
Our findings demonstrate that <i>A. ceylanicum</i> infection reshapes host transcriptional responses to SARS-CoV-2 in a tissue-specific manner, enhancing B cell immunity in the lung while driving intestinal inflammation. Hookworm-induced immune modulation attenuated key SARS-CoV-2-responsive genes and pathways, suggesting potential mechanisms for reduced disease severity observed in helminth-endemic regions. These findings establish a molecular framework to better understand helminth, SARS-CoV-2 and host immune interactions, with relevance for other respiratory viral infections.
Authors
- Mahdiyeh Bigham (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1396-4338)
- Adrianus C. M. Boon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4700-8224)
- Bruce A. Rosa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6820-446X)
- Ashutosh Arun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0161-0727)
- Kumar Sachin Singh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7455-9072)
- Makedonka Mitreva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9572-3436)
- John Martin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1235-5952)
Institutions
- James S. McDonnell Foundation (US)
- Washington University in St. Louis (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Frontiers in Immunology
- Published
- 2025-11-05
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1701728
- Primary Topic
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00