Modelling host/parasitic nematode interactions with ovine 'mini-gut' organoids.

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Sheep adult stem cells can be used in the lab to grow 3D gastrointestinal (GI) structures called GI organoids. In our lab we have developed sheep 'mini-gut' GI organoids that allow the study of interactions between the host and parasitic gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs). In temperate regions the brown stomach worm Teladorsagia circumcincta is the principal GIN of sheep. This parasite develops in the abomasum (which is analogous to the gastric stomach) causing significant mucosal damage associated with host inflammatory immune responses. To establish infection T. circumcincta secretes excretory/secretory (ES) products that it uses to modulate the immune response and cellular physiology of the host. There is emerging evidence that extracellular vesicles (EVs), a subcomponent of ES, plays an important role in host/parasite interactions. The overall aim of this project is to use ovine abomasum organoids to identify and characterise active components of T. circumcincta EVs and to study their impacts on host physiology.