Recombinant Parasite Protein Reduces Allergic Skin Inflammation

According to a report by the Public Relations Office of the University of Tehran, the results of this research, titled “Ameliorative effects of Toxocara canis recombinant C-type lectin on atopic dermatitis in a mouse model”, were published in 2026 in the international journal Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Global.

Dr. Fateme Jalousian, Associate Professor in the Department of Parasitology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, and one of the corresponding authors of the article, explained the scientific achievement: “Some parasites have acquired the ability to modulate host immune responses during evolution. Molecules produced by these parasites can serve as models for the development of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory compounds.”

She emphasized: “This approach does not use live parasites. Instead, the effective molecules are identified and produced using recombinant DNA technology so that their biological capacity can be utilized without causing parasitic infection.”

Dr. Jalousian explained the reasons for selecting Toxocara canis: “Toxocara canis, a nematode parasite of dogs, produces molecules that affect host immune responses. One of these is C-type lectin, which has immunomodulatory capacity. Our aim was to investigate the effect of the recombinant form of this protein on atopic dermatitis.”

She added: “This research shows that parasitology, in addition to identifying pathogenic agents, can also play a role in discovering bioactive molecules and developing therapeutic approaches.”

Explaining atopic dermatitis, the faculty member of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, said: “Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease accompanied by severe itching, redness, and skin lesions, and it affects humans and animals, especially dogs. The limitations of existing treatments have increased the need to identify new compounds.”

She described the methodology of the study as follows: “First, the recombinant C-type lectin protein was produced and purified in the Molecular Parasitology Laboratory of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran. Then, 35 BALB/c mice were studied in seven groups. In six groups, atopic dermatitis-like lesions were induced using DNCB.”

Dr. Jalousian added: “The effects of the protein were compared with a disease control group and groups receiving topical and injectable dexamethasone. The prophylactic effect of the protein and indicators such as lesion severity, itching, serum IgE, and histopathological changes were also evaluated.”

Referring to the most important findings of the research, the Associate Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, stated: “Administration of the recombinant protein after disease induction significantly reduced the severity of skin lesions and itching. The mean dermatitis severity score fell from 8 in the disease control group to 3 in the group receiving the protein.”

In response to the question of whether this achievement could lead to the development of a new drug, Dr. Jalousian said: “This research is at the preclinical stage. To achieve a therapeutic product, it is necessary to investigate molecular mechanisms, safety, possible toxicity, appropriate dosage, and the durability of effects.”

She added: “Given certain immunological similarities between atopic dermatitis in humans and dogs, these findings can provide a basis for future studies in medicine and veterinary medicine.”

Dr. Jalousian concluded: “This achievement is the result of interdisciplinary collaboration among specialists in parasitology, immunology, internal medicine, and pathology, and it demonstrates that understanding the biology of parasites can provide new opportunities for developing therapeutic approaches.”

The study was conducted with the participation of Dr. Hamidreza Jahani, Dr. Shahram Jamshidi, Dr. Fateme Jalousian, Dr. Sara Shokrpoor, Dr. Maryam Nourizadeh, Dr. Seyed Hossein Hosseini, Dr. Parmida Malekzadeh, and Dr. Zahra Bolouki. It is available to researchers via the following link:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772829326001189