Immunological Prevention Of Hydatid Disease And Cysticercosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,340.00
Summary
This project seeks to develop practical vaccines to control the transmission of cysticercosis and hydatid disease. These diseases are caused by infection with the larval stages of tapeworm parasites which have a worldwide distribution and cause substantial human morbidity and mortality. The parasites are transmitted to humans from animals. Methods for control of transmission of infection currently rely on public education and anthelmintic treatment of animals. These measures are often ineffectiv ....This project seeks to develop practical vaccines to control the transmission of cysticercosis and hydatid disease. These diseases are caused by infection with the larval stages of tapeworm parasites which have a worldwide distribution and cause substantial human morbidity and mortality. The parasites are transmitted to humans from animals. Methods for control of transmission of infection currently rely on public education and anthelmintic treatment of animals. These measures are often ineffective and there is an urgent need for new tools to help control transmission of these important diseases. Previous research has shown that the animal hosts of these parasites can be protected from infection by vaccination. Prevention of infection in the parasites' animal hosts has the effect of breaking the parasite life cycle and indirectly removes the source of infection for humans. This project will further develop an existing vaccine against hydatid disease, will develop a new vaccine against cysticercosis and will participate in initial international parasite control campaigns based on application of these vaccines.Read moreRead less
Immunological Prevention Of Cysticercosis And Hydatid Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$445,109.00
Summary
Cysticercosis and hydatid disease are caused by infections with the larval stages of tapeworm parasites. They are zoonotic diseases, transmitted to humans from animals. This project aims to develop practical vaccines to assist with the prevention of these diseases in humans. We will vaccinate the parasites' natural animal hosts and, thereby, break the parasite life-cycles, indirectly and inexpensively preventing the diseases being passed to humans.
Regulation Of Immune Mechanisms By Pathogen Cysteine Proteases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,676.00
Summary
To survive, parasites have evolved many strategies to control the human immune system. We have identified an enzyme secreted by parasites that can manipulate cells of the immune system, subsequently preventing the development of inflammatory responses. We will investigate the mechanism involved and determine whether this enzyme could be exploited for therapeutic purposes to switch off inflammation in autoimmune disease such as type-1 diabetes.
Use Of Peptides From Phage Display Libraries To Probe The Function Of AMA-1 And Other Malaria Surface Proteins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,650.00
Summary
Malaria remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Much current research is aimed at exploring the molecular interactions between malarial proteins and host components in order to gain a deeper understanding of parasite virulence mechanisms, design alternative anti-malarial approaches and improve vaccine design. The apical membrane antigen-1( AMA-1) is a surface exposed protein which is thought to play a crucial role in invasion of red blood cells by malaria parasites, and is cu ....Malaria remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Much current research is aimed at exploring the molecular interactions between malarial proteins and host components in order to gain a deeper understanding of parasite virulence mechanisms, design alternative anti-malarial approaches and improve vaccine design. The apical membrane antigen-1( AMA-1) is a surface exposed protein which is thought to play a crucial role in invasion of red blood cells by malaria parasites, and is currently one of the leading asexual stage vaccine candidates. While antibodies to AMA-1 prevents malaria invasion, little is known about the role of the antigen in the invasion process. The aim of this proposal is to investigate the molecular interactions that makes AMA-1 an important player in the invasion process. We propose to map the regions of AMA-1 responsible for binding a set of peptides which we have isolated from random peptide libraries. Since these peptides inhibit the invasion of parasites into red blood cells, regions of AMA1- that bind these peptides will be of functional significance. A further outcome will be the identification of peptide residues essential for the inhibition of invasion followed by in vitro evolution of these peptides to improve their binding and inhibitory properties. A molecular description of how AMA1 binding peptides prevent parasite invasion of host erythrocytes will improve our understanding of the invasion process, and aid in improving vaccines based on AMA-1. Furthermore, this peptide-AMA-1 interaction will be assessed as a possible target for the development of novel anti-malarial therapies. Using random peptide libraries we have selected peptides that specifically bind to other merozoite surface proteins thought to be involved in merozoite invasion of erythrocytes. The ability of these peptides to inhibit merozoite invasion will be examined and characterised as described above.Read moreRead less