Ostertagia ostertagi: Host-parasite interaction

Background
It has been shown that helminth parasites such as O. ostertagi drastically modulate their host environment. Changes in the abomasal pH rapidly occur during an infection and result in a reduction of pepsinogen activation, increased gastrin secretion and reduced bacteriostatic effect. The abomasal morphology is also drastically modified by the developing nematodes: mucous cell hyperplasia, epithelial cell damage, nodular appearance of parasitized glands and an accumulation of inflammatory cells such as eosinophils, neutrophils and lymphocytes. The parasite also modulates the host immune system so that it will take years of repeated exposure before a protective immune response is raised.

Current Research
The mechanisms used by the parasites to modulate their environment are largely unknown. An important role has been attributed to parasite excretory-secretory (ES) material. The objective of this research is the identification of ES antigens and to unravel their role in parasite biology, with a special interest in mucin degrading enzymes and galectins. Furthermore, the phage display technology is being assessed to identify interactions between ES products and the abomasal epithelial cells.

Contacts
Prof. Dr. E. Claerebout
Prof. Dr. P. Geldhof


References

Vercauteren, I, Geldhof, P., Peelaers, I., Claerebout, E., Berx, G. and Vercruysse, J., 2003. Identification of excretory-secretory products of larval and adult Ostertagia ostertagi by immunoscreening of cDNA libraries. Mol Biochem Parasitol 126, 201-208.

UA-21934874-1