A5068367604- Helminth infection and control
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Coccidia and coccidiosis research
- Peptidase Inhibition and Analysis
- Malaria Research and Control
- Trace Elements in Health
- Parasitic Infections and Diagnostics
- Agricultural safety and regulations
- Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- Iron Metabolism and Disorders
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- History and advancements in chemistry
- Insects and Parasite Interactions
- Trypanosoma species research and implications
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Aquaculture disease management and microbiota
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Protein Hydrolysis and Bioactive Peptides
- Traditional and Medicinal Uses of Annonaceae
- Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Complement system in diseases
Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway
2019-2025
Queen's University Belfast
2014-2023
University Hospital Heidelberg
2023
Heidelberg University
2023
McGill University
2009-2020
University of Technology Sydney
2006-2017
University of Auckland
2016
Maurice Wilkins Centre
2016
University College Cork
2011
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
1995-2007
To infect their mammalian hosts, Fasciola hepatica larvae must penetrate and traverse the intestinal wall of duodenum, move through peritoneum, liver. After migrating feeding on liver, causing extensive tissue damage, parasites to final niche in bile ducts where they mature produce eggs. Here we integrated a transcriptomics proteomics approach profile secretory proteins that are involved host-pathogen interactions correlate changes expression with migration parasite. Prediction F. from...
Abstract Background The liver fluke Fasciola hepatica is a major pathogen of livestock worldwide, causing huge economic losses to agriculture, as well 2.4 million human infections annually. Results Here we provide draft genome for F. , which find be among the largest known genomes at 1.3 Gb. This size cannot explained by duplication or expansion single repeat element, and remains paradox given burden it may impose on egg production necessary transmit infection. Despite potential inbreeding...
Alternatively activated macrophages (AAMphi) are primarily associated with the chronic stages of parasitic infections and development a polarized Th2 response. We have shown that Fasciola hepatica infection BALB/c mice induces response during both latent stage disease. The activation status was analyzed in this model helminth by evaluating expression genetic markers alternative activation, namely, Fizz1, Ym1, Arg1. AAMphi were recruited to peritoneum within 24 h F. after intraperitoneal...
Two cathepsin L proteinases, L1 and L2, secreted by liver flukes may be involved in tissue penetration, nutrition, protection from immune attack. To ascertain the immunoprophylactic potential of these another molecule, fluke hemoglobin (Hb), we performed vaccine trials cattle. In first trial various doses were tested. The mean level obtained was 53.7%. a second Hb elicited 42.5 43.8% levels, respectively, while combination two molecules induced significantly higher (51.9%). Cathepsin L2 not...
During helminth infections, alternatively activated macrophages (AAMacs) are key to promoting Th2 responses and suppressing Th1-driven inflammatory pathology. cytokines IL-4 and/or IL-13 believed be important in the induction activation of AAMacs. Using murine models for infections caused by Fasciola hepatica (Fh) Schistosoma mansoni (Sm), we show that a secreted antioxidant, peroxiredoxin (Prx), induces alternative macrophages. These activated, Ym1-expressing enhanced secretion IL-4, IL-5,...
ABSTRACT Fasciolosis, like other helminth infections, is associated with the induction of T-cell responses polarized to Th2 subtype. Respiratory infection Bordetella pertussis or immunization a whole-cell vaccine (Pw) induces potent Th1 response, which confers high level protection against bacterial challenge. We have used these two pathogens examine bystander cross-regulation and cells in vivo provide evidence immunomodulation host B. by concomitant Fasciola hepatica . Mice coinfection F....
Immune responses induced with helminth parasites have been extensively studied, but there is limited information on those to Fasciola hepatica, especially the subtype of T cell this parasite. We investigated local and systemic different strains mice following oral infection doses metacercariae from F. hepatica. Spleen cells BALB/c 129Sv/Ev given a low-dose (5 metacercariae) exhibited Th2 response, producing high levels cytokines IL-4 IL-5, low IFN-gamma IL-2. In contrast, C57BL/6 showed...
Major advances have been made in identifying potential vaccine molecules for the control of fasciolosis livestock but we yet to reach level efficacy required commercialisation. The pathogenesis is associated with liver damage that inflicted by migrating and feeding immature flukes as well host inflammatory immune responses parasite-secreted tissue alarm signals. Immune suppression/modulation parasites prevents development protective evidenced lack immunity observed naturally experimentally...
Plasmodium falciparum parasites are responsible for the major global disease malaria, which results in >2 million deaths each year. With rise of drug-resistant malarial parasites, novel drug targets and lead compounds urgently required development new therapeutic strategies. Here, we address this important problem by targeting neutral aminopeptidases that involved terminal stages hemoglobin digestion essential provision amino acids used parasite growth within erythrocyte. We characterize...
Over the last decade a significant number of studies have highlighted central role host antimicrobial (or defence) peptides in modulating response innate immune cells to pathogen-associated ligands. In humans, most widely studied peptide is LL-37, 37-residue containing an amphipathic helix that released via proteolytic cleavage precursor protein CAP18. Owing its ability protect against lethal endotoxaemia and clinically-relevant bacterial infections, LL-37 derivatives are seen as attractive...
Helminth pathogens prepare a Th2 type immunological environment in their hosts to ensure longevity. They achieve this by secreting molecules that not only actively drive 2 responses but also suppress 1 responses. Here, we show the major cysteine proteases secreted from helminth Fasciola hepatica (FheCL1) and Schistosoma mansoni (SmCB1) protect mice lethal effects of lipopolysaccharide preventing release inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha,...
Helminth parasites secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) that can be internalised by host immune cells resulting in modulation of immunity. While the molecular cargo EVs have been characterised many parasites, little is known about surface-exposed molecules participate ligand-receptor interactions with cell surface to initiate vesicle docking and subsequent internalisation. Using a membrane-impermeable biotin reagent capture proteins displayed on outer membrane two EV sub-populations (termed...
The parasite Fasciola hepatica infects a broad range of mammals with impunity. Following ingestion parasites (metacercariae) by the host, newly excysted juveniles (NEJ) emerge from their cysts, rapidly penetrate duodenal wall and migrate to liver. Successful infection takes just few hours involves negotiating hurdles presented host macromolecules, tissues micro-environments, as well immune system. Here, transcriptome proteome analysis ex vivo F. metacercariae NEJ reveal rapidity multitude...
Fasciolosis caused by the liver flukes Fasciola hepatica and gigantica is one of most important neglected parasitic diseases humans animals. The ability parasites to infect multiply in their intermediate snail hosts, adaptation a wide variety mammalian definitive hosts contribute high transmissibility distribution. Within host, trauma immature burrowing through parenchyma associated with pathogenesis. Similarly, feeding activity physical presence large bile ducts can lead anemia,...
ABSTRACT The potential of different parasite proteinases for use as vaccine candidates against fascioliasis in sheep was studied by vaccinating animals with the cathepsin L CL1 and CL2 leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) purified from adult flukes. In first trial, were immunized or mean protection levels obtained 33 34%, respectively. Furthermore, a significant reduction egg output observed vaccinated either (71%) (81%). second trial performed to determine protective two assayed together, well...