Objective
Research objectives and content
To generate efficient protection against chronic infections such as parasitic diseases, controlling pathology could be more relevant than controlling the infection itself. In chronic schistosomiasis, the major pathological hallmarks are hepatic granuloma formation and fibrosis due to the accumulation of viable eggs in liver. Limitation of local inflammatory reactions associated with or without reduction in worm fecundity and in worm burden may be a goal for vaccine development. Our approach will be based on unexpected effects of B subunit of cholera toxin (CTB), known for its mucosal adjuvant effects, which also strongly induces oral tolerance for directly linked antigens. In this proposal, we plan to test whether the mucosal administration of schistosomal antigens coupled to recombinant CTB can suppress antigen-specific and bystander T-cell mediated DTH inflammatory reactions in a way that could suppress immunopathological consequences of schistosome product deposition in host tissues. Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact)
This project will allow me to acquire competence on new cellular immune technologies and to improve my knowledge on mucosal immunology and mucosal vaccines.
Links with industry / industrial relevance (22)
The expected results should allow critical evaluation of the feasibility of future vaccination trials dedicated to reduction of immunopathology during parasitic infections and could provide economic opportunities for EC companies to manufacture recombinant vaccines.
Fields of science
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
RGI - Research grants (individual fellowships)Coordinator
413 46 Gfteborg
Sweden