Výsledky projektu Proteomická analýza trávicí soustavy (zejména peptidáz) motolic s odlišnou potravní specializací

Infections of the human central nervous system by parasitic worms, such as pork tapeworm or rat lungworm, are a health threat, especially in communities with poor hygiene and sanitation. Understanding the diversity of host-parasite interactions, possibly leading to development of effective treatment or vaccine, requires suitable animal models. Our study deeply characterized the neuroinvasion of the mouse spinal cord by the neuropathogenic flatworm Trichobilharzia regenti. Its behavior within the nervous tissue (active migration, eager feeding) and clinical outcome of the infection (weight loss, motor dysfunctions, strong neuroinflammation) resemble those observed in human diseases. Using an integrative approach, we elucidated how the mice fight against the parasites and which mechanisms could be responsible for the pathological sequelae. Moreover, we identified pathways potentially involved in the reparation of the injured nervous tissue. All these features make T. regenti in mice a promising candidate for further research in parasitology, and neuroimmunology.