ICMI 2015

F.111 Parasite Derived Immunomodulatory Molecules for Prevention and Therapy of Allergy

Friday, July 17, 2015
Grand Hall and Gallery, Ground Floor & 1st Floor (Maritim Hotel)
Mirjana Drinic , Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Irma Schabussova , Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Angelika Wagner , Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Ursula Wiedermann-Schmidt , Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Anja Joachim , ² University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
Bärbel Ruttkowski , ² University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
The link between reduced incidence of allergic diseases and infection with certain parasites has been repeatedly confirmed in numerous epidemiological and experimental studies. This opens a new field in allergy research aiming to identify immunomodulatory molecules derived from these parasites.

We have previously shown that infection with certain protozoa and helminths, such as Toxoplasma gondii or Oesophagostomum dentatum prevented allergic immune responses and airway inflammation in a mouse model of type I allergy. In continuation of these studies we now demonstrate that the application of extracts from these parasites also reduce airway inflammation along with decreased levels of IL-5 and eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage. Moreover, we show that upon heat-inactivation the suppressive effect of O.dentatum is stabile, whereas T. gondii extract loses its immunomodulatory potential. Further aim in this study therefore is to identify, characterize and produce T. gondii- and O. dentatum-derived molecules with these immunomodulatory properties.

For this purpose the extracts of both parasites are being fractionized and biochemically characterized with different techniques such as normal- and reversed-phase HPLC, 2D gel electrophoresis, followed by MALDI-TOF-MS and ESI-MS/MS in order to identify specific compounds with immunomodulatory/anti-allergic properties. The most promising candidates will be purified/ produced and tested in vitro and in vivo aiming to use them as adjuvants in future allergy vaccines.

 Supported by FWF (SFB F46)