Immune responses to Fasciola hepatica infection, and Fasciola hepatica derived antigens
Walshe, Alan
(2003)
Immune responses to Fasciola hepatica infection, and Fasciola hepatica derived antigens.
Master of Science thesis, Dublin City University.
The aim of this study was to investigate immune responses as a result of infection with the parasitic helminth, Fasciola hepatica. Analysis of IL-4 and Interferon-y cytokines described a predominant type 2 immune response in BALB/c mice infected with metacercana of F hepatica Levels of IL-4 mRNA assessed by reverse transcnption-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) provide the first evidence that the immune response becomes polarised 1 day post infection. We also investigated immune responses to F hepatica derived antigens IL-4 and Interferon-y cytokine production revealed a polarised type 2 response m BALB/c mice immunised with F hepatica excretory/secretory (ES) products. As type 1 immune responses have been associated with protection against infection with F hepatica (Mulcahy et a l , 1998), we established a polarised type 1 immune response in BALB/c mice by immunising with cathepsm L in combination with various adjuvants.