Infections with parasitic trematodes of the genus Schistosoma affect 200 million people worldwide, primarily in developing countries. Studies involving S. mansoni have suggested that successful completion of parasite development and migration within the mammalian host is dependent on the receipt of appropriate host-derived signals by the parasite and on transmission of signals between male and female parasites. A molecular understanding of the signals and receptors involved in these interactions may reveal new opportunities to disrupt the parasite life cycle for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes. We have now found that normal development of S. mansoni in the murine host is dependent on adaptive immune responses mounted by the host during prepatency.
The aims of this proposal are to (i) identify the precise immune cells and factors responsible for promoting parasite development, and (ii) identify parasite molecules involved in mediating phenotypic plasticity to host factors. The ultimate goal of this work is to identify novel mechanisms for disrupting the parasite life cycle for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32AI010424-02
Application #
6362261
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-TMP (01))
Program Officer
Wali, Tonu M
Project Start
2001-03-01
Project End
Budget Start
2001-03-01
Budget End
2002-02-28
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$49,412
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California San Francisco
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
073133571
City
San Francisco
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94143
Davies, Stephen J; Smith, Steven J; Lim, K C et al. (2005) In vivo imaging of tissue eosinophilia and eosinopoietic responses to schistosome worms and eggs. Int J Parasitol 35:851-9
Davies, Stephen J; Lim, K C; Blank, Rebecca B et al. (2004) Involvement of TNF in limiting liver pathology and promoting parasite survival during schistosome infection. Int J Parasitol 34:27-36
Hernandez, David C; Lim, K C; McKerrow, James H et al. (2004) Schistosoma mansoni: sex-specific modulation of parasite growth by host immune signals. Exp Parasitol 106:59-61
Davies, Stephen J; McKerrow, James H (2003) Developmental plasticity in schistosomes and other helminths. Int J Parasitol 33:1277-84
Davies, S J; Grogan, J L; Blank, R B et al. (2001) Modulation of blood fluke development in the liver by hepatic CD4+ lymphocytes. Science 294:1358-61