Host Receptor Immunomodulation in Response to Shigella Surface Antigens: An Insight for Vaccine Development

Shigellosis, caused by Shigella is the most common cause of bacillary dysentery. The disease is associated with high morbidity and mortality rate owing to its multiple drug resistance. Hence recovery from the disease would primarily depend on the development of an effective immune-modulator for strong mucosal immune response. The role of cellular immunity may be a critical factor in protection against shigellosis as Shigella remains an intracellular pathogen during most of its life-cycle. Development of a potent immunomodulator may provide strong and long-lasting immunity to shigellosis. In this review, the authors have attempted to highlight the disease dimension and its deviation due to the effect of various Shigella surface antigens that would help in the development of an effective immune response. Cellular innate immune modulation will be a new generation target for the development of mucosal candidate vaccines where proper receptor activation such as Toll-Like Receptors, Cytokine Receptors and/or T-Cell Receptors on the host cell could be aimed at producing mucosal immunity.