Modulation of T cell responses by the products of Ascaris suum

Paterson, Jacqueline Clyde McEwen (1999) Modulation of T cell responses by the products of Ascaris suum. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

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Printed Thesis Information: https://eleanor.lib.gla.ac.uk/record=b1891749

Abstract

Parasitic helminths infect over a billion people world-wide and contribute to one million deaths annually. Therefore, these parasites represent an enormous burden on human health and well-being. Amongst the most prevalent of helminth parasites is the round worm Ascaris. The development of protective immunity against helminth infections is characterised by eosinophilia, mastocytosis and elevated IgE antibody. These responses are known to be controlled by CD4+ T helper type-2 (Th2) cells through the cytokines they secrete following activation. The features of helminth infections that promote the induction of Th2-type immune responses are unknown but it has been suggested that parasite-derived products may have some involvement. The experiments presented in this thesis analysed the immune response resulting from infection with Ascaris suum in the murine host and the contribution of the parasite's products in this process. It was found that infection with Ascaris resulted in the generation of a Th2-type response that was influenced by the host MHC haplotype. Furthermore the Th2-type response generated by infection could be modulated following exposure to the pseudocolomic fluid (ABF) but not with the major allergen of Ascaris, ABA- 1. Immunomodulation by ABF was demonstrated further in its ability to suppress development of the Th1-associated delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction to a heterologous antigen. Immunomodulation by ABF did not require the presence of ABA-1 and was a stable phenomenon resistant to both heat and acid treatments. The future identification and analysis of the component of ABF responsible for this activity has important implications for the mechanisms by which helminth parasites modulate the immune response of their host, which has important implications for vaccine development and the control of pathology.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Qualification Level: Doctoral
Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology
Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR180 Immunology
Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
Supervisor's Name: Kennedy, Professor Malcolm
Date of Award: 1999
Depositing User: Enlighten Team
Unique ID: glathesis:1999-71692
Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
Date Deposited: 17 May 2019 09:31
Last Modified: 28 Oct 2022 08:41
Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.71692
URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/71692

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