Host parasite communications-Messages from helminths for the immune system: Parasite communication and cell-cell interactions

•Helminth parasites release a spectrum of mediators to dampen host immunity.•Secreted proteins can act on host receptors and intracellular signalling.•Parasites also produce exosome-like extracellular vesicles containing microRNAs.•Exosomes can enter host cells and modulate host gene expression.•Extracellular vesicles may be a more general mode of host-parasite interaction.

Helminths are metazoan organisms many of which have evolved parasitic life styles dependent on sophisticated manipulation of the host environment. Most notably, they down-regulate host immune responses to ensure their own survival, by exporting a range of immuno-modulatory mediators that interact with host cells and tissues. While a number of secreted immunoregulatory parasite proteins have been defined, new work also points to the release of extracellular vesicles, or exosomes, that interact with and manipulate host gene expression. These recent results are discussed in the overall context of how helminths communicate effectively with the host organism.

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