Molecular interactions at the interface of parsitic nematodes with their hosts

寄生线虫与其宿主界面的分子相互作用

• 批准号: 342206-2008
• 负责人: Duffy, Michael
• 金额: $ 2.35万
• 依托单位: University of New Brunswick
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2008-01-01 至 2009-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=399809
• 关键词: Molecular; interactions; interface; parsitic; nematodes

Parasitic nematodes cause chronic and disabling disease in approximately 4 billion people worldwide. In addition, parasitic nematodes are responsible for substantial livestock production losses throughout the world. Eradication of such parasitic diseases remains a major challenge. Anti-parasite drugs are ineffective against some species and many other parasites have now developed drug resistance. Evolution of the host-parasite relationship is a fascinating subject of study. The host immune system functions to elicit the evolutionary derived response that is most effective in combating the parasite and minimizing damage to the host. However, parasites have evolved their own interesting methods for evading the immune response of their host in order to survive and reproduce. My interests in host-parasite interactions focus on parasite molecules that are released during infective processes to facilitate parasitism. The precise mechanisms and molecules involved are largely unknown at present. This research program is investigating molecules with putative functions in: 1) mimicry - parasites decorate themselves with host molecules to thereby avoid detection by the immune system; 2) infective processes - molecules produced by parasites only during the period of entry into a new host; and, 3) transmission - molecules that appear to be produced to promote parasite release from their host to facilitate infection of new hosts. Understanding the molecular interactions at the interface of host-parasite relationships provides insight into the mechanisms that parasites use for immune modulation and immune evasion to promote parasite entry into a host, survival within a host, and transmission from a host. My research address basic questions on the biology of parasitic nematodes with the ultimate goal of broader contributions towards development of contemporary methods for prevention of parasitic infection and disease. This research program is of fundamental importance to understanding infective processes and the molecular mechanisms that are involved in parasitism.

寄生线虫在全世界约40亿人中引起慢性和致残性疾病。此外，寄生线虫是造成全世界畜牧业生产重大损失的原因。根除这种寄生虫病仍然是一项重大挑战。抗寄生虫药物对某些物种无效，许多其他寄生虫现已产生耐药性。宿主-寄生虫关系的进化是一个令人着迷的研究课题。宿主免疫系统的功能是引发进化衍生的反应，这在对抗寄生虫和最小化对宿主的损害方面最有效。然而，寄生虫为了生存和繁殖，已经进化出了自己有趣的方法来逃避宿主的免疫反应。我对宿主-寄生虫相互作用的兴趣集中在寄生虫分子上，这些分子在感染过程中释放出来，以促进寄生。其确切的机制和所涉及的分子目前在很大程度上是未知的。该研究计划正在研究具有以下假定功能的分子：1）拟态-寄生虫用宿主分子装饰自己，从而避免被免疫系统检测到; 2）感染过程-寄生虫仅在进入新宿主期间产生的分子;以及3）传播-产生的分子似乎是为了促进寄生虫从其宿主释放以便于感染新宿主。 了解宿主-寄生虫关系界面的分子相互作用提供了对寄生虫用于免疫调节和免疫逃避以促进寄生虫进入宿主、在宿主内存活和从宿主传播的机制的深入了解。我的研究解决了寄生线虫生物学的基本问题，最终目标是为预防寄生虫感染和疾病的当代方法的发展做出更广泛的贡献。这个研究项目对于理解感染过程和寄生虫的分子机制具有根本的重要性。