Regulation of Host Immune System by the Hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Ballroom A
Start Date
17-5-2012
End Date
17-5-2012
Abstract
Approximately one billion people in the world are currently infected with hookworm. Despite this high prevalence, little research has been done on host immunosuppression by hookworm. Our study focuses on characterizing the mechanisms by which hookworm suppresses the host immune response. We hypothesize that hookworm secretes proteins to shift the immune system away from a Th2 response, a normal response responsible for clearing the infection, to a mixed Th1/Th2 response. This mixed response results in cytokines from each of these two immune responses being released, thereby suppressing a full Th2 immune response. Hamsters, Mesocricetus auratus, will be infected with 150 stage three larvae by oral gavage and given time to allow the larvae to develop into adult worms. The worms will then be collected from the euthanized hamsters and incubated at 37°C in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) to allow for excretory/secretory protein collection. These proteins will be inoculated subcutaneously into mice, Mus musculus, and given time to allow the immune system to recognize the proteins. Proteins will either be inoculated alone, with ovalbumin, or mice will be inoculated with PBS alone. Mice will then be boosted later on with the same priming innoculum. Characterization of the host immune response will be done using a proliferation assay, a flow cytometry assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and a delayed-type hypersensitivity measurement.
Recommended Citation
Diliani, Nicholas, "Regulation of Host Immune System by the Hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum" (2012). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 31.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2012/posters/31
Poster Number
13
Additional Mentoring Department
Biological Sciences
Regulation of Host Immune System by the Hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum
SURC Ballroom A
Approximately one billion people in the world are currently infected with hookworm. Despite this high prevalence, little research has been done on host immunosuppression by hookworm. Our study focuses on characterizing the mechanisms by which hookworm suppresses the host immune response. We hypothesize that hookworm secretes proteins to shift the immune system away from a Th2 response, a normal response responsible for clearing the infection, to a mixed Th1/Th2 response. This mixed response results in cytokines from each of these two immune responses being released, thereby suppressing a full Th2 immune response. Hamsters, Mesocricetus auratus, will be infected with 150 stage three larvae by oral gavage and given time to allow the larvae to develop into adult worms. The worms will then be collected from the euthanized hamsters and incubated at 37°C in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) to allow for excretory/secretory protein collection. These proteins will be inoculated subcutaneously into mice, Mus musculus, and given time to allow the immune system to recognize the proteins. Proteins will either be inoculated alone, with ovalbumin, or mice will be inoculated with PBS alone. Mice will then be boosted later on with the same priming innoculum. Characterization of the host immune response will be done using a proliferation assay, a flow cytometry assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and a delayed-type hypersensitivity measurement.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Blaise Dondji