Research Themes

General

The aim of the research is to understand the molecular immunological basis of host-parasite interaction with focus on chronic helminth infections and more recently malaria. The skewing of immune responses towards Th2 and Treg by parasite derived molecules is being studied to devise methods for manipulation of immune responses.

The group is involved in field studies in Indonesia, Gabon and Ghana where where immunoepidemiologic and genetic studies are underway. Laboratory based investigations centered around T and B cell lymphocyte/dendritic cell interactions form the basis for dissecting mechanisms whereby innate immune responses condition the adaptive immune response. Animal models of schistosome infections are being combined with models of allergic airway inflammation to understand the interaction between parasites and allergic disorders in well controlled experimental settings.

Population based studies:
Indonesia

contact persons: Professor Maria Yazdanbakhsh and Dr. Erliyani Sartono

In collaboration with the University of Indonesia in Jakarta the immunology of human lymphtic filariasis, geohelminth infections and malaria is being studied. The question of how parasitic helminth infections affect levels of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax and also malarial disease are being investigated on Flores Island (www.immunospin.org) In the same study, the effect of helminth infections on inflammatory diseases is being investigated, to understand whether infections play a role in suppression of inflammatory diseases such as allergies and metabolic/cardiovascular disorders.

Whole blood as well as PBMC cultures stimulated with malaria, Ascaris and mycobacterial antigens, Influenza virus components, as well as stimuli that engage TLRs will shed light on the immunological mechanisms that underlie the associations between helminth infections, malarial disease, allergies and metabolic/cardiovascular condictions.

Regulatory T cells are being studied at the phenotypic and functional level in order to assess their role in the effect that these cells might have in controlling inflammatory processes being studied.

Ghana

In collaboration with Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research in Accra, the innate immune responses of human schistosomiasis are being studied. The effect of such infections on allergic diseases has been studied in great detail taking into account environmental exposures.

Current studies concentrate on responsiveness to Toll Like Receptor ligands, Scavernger Receptor Ligands and C Typle Lectin ligands in rural populations to pinpoint the molecular defects in innate immune responsiveness in helminth infected subjects.

Gabon

In collaboration with the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Gabon we have been investigating the immunological effects of schistosomes, intestinal helminth infections and malaria parasites on host immune responses, with particular emphasis on early life events.

Current projects concentrate on the ability of these trematode worms to suppress allergic diseases and to alter anti-malarial responses. Pregnant mothers as well as schoolchildren are being studied to understand the immunomodulatory mechanisms at play.

Cellular immunology research (filariasis, schistosomiasis, allergy)

Cellular epidemiology

Details will be provided later

Dendritic cell function

Dendritic cells are central to regulation of immune responses and our current research efforts are directed at understanding how parasite molecules and allergens interact and alter dendritic cell function determining whether Th1, Th2 or Treg cells are induced.

Genetic research

Details will be provided later