The role and interaction of Treg cells during schistosomiasis

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Development, activation, cytokine-stimulation, life-span and antigen-specificity are prime topics currently addressed about regulatory T cells. Our primary focus has been the in vivo study of Treg cells during a chronic infection with the helminth Schistosome mansoni: currently estimated to inflict over 200 million people. Our studies have proven that without Treg cells, the immunopathology of the host is significantly elevated and simultaneously, the production of viable eggs by the helminth is reduced. Furthermore, in the absence of TLR2 signalling there is a failure to expand Schistosome-specific Treg cells, thus linking innate and adaptive immune responses. The following proposal provides an account on the investigations we have completed so far. With these findings and thus the direction of our current work, we also describe our future plans of investigation which would provide greater in-depth knowledge about Treg cells in schistosomiasis.