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Characterization of host responses against infective roundworm larvae

Page reviewed:  15/05/2025

Billions of people are infected with roundworms. Globally, increased antibiotic resistance and anthelminthic resistance in bacteria, fungi, protozoans, and parasitic worms is now a major societal problem. Furthermore, the anthelminthic drugs used causes environmental pollution.

Background

Nematodes have evolved several immunomodulatory mechanisms that reduce the subsequent immune response of the host and thus improve 'parasite resistance'. However, studies of host immune responses to Ascaridae L3 larval stages are still scarce. To this end, we are currently characterizing the host-parasite interactions in vitro. As model organisms, we use the infective L3 larval stages of the zoonotic Ascaris suum and Toxocara canis worms that infect pigs, dogs and humans, and the equine roundworm Parascaris univalens that infects horses. Primary cells isolated from horses and different cell lines from humans and dogs are used as experimental infection models. 

Goal

This project will generate important knowledge on immunomodulatory interactions between host and roundworm.

Project description

Possible project question is:

  • Characterization of the global gene expression changes following host cell-parasite worm interactions (30 credits)

We have transcriptomic RNA-seq data from SciLifeLab in Uppsala from host cell-L3 larvae interactions of equine BAL cells challenged with Parascaris L3 larvae and human Caco2 cells challenged with Parascaris and Toxocara L3 larvae. To elucidate host immune responses and Ascaridae immunomodulatory mechanisms, bioinformatics will be used to sort, annotate and compare the datasets.

Specifications

Open project start. This degree project is suitable for veterinarians, for both Bachelor and Master students.

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