How Do Host Leukocytes Recognize Parasitic Worms?
We know that eosinophils are rapidly recruited into the skin after injection of larvae of the parasitic worm, N. brasiliensis. These and other leukocytes quickly attach to parasite larvae and can kill them. With Professors David Gordan (Flinders University Adelaide) and Marina Botto (Imperial College, London), we are assessing the involvement of complement proteins in targeting eosinophils to the surface of the parasite. Mice in which genes encoding complement proteins have been knocked out (eg. C1q, factor B and C3 KO mice) will be used to analyze the importance of complement in controlling parasite infections. We are also determining if N. brasiliensis larvae can evade this innate defence mechanism by making use of proteins that down-regulate complement activity. Eosinophils may also use other innate pattern recognition receptors to bind to parasites and the targets for these receptors may change as the parasite passes through different life cycle stages. The Honours projects that mi
