Role of Toll-like receptors in dendritic cell maturation and T cell activation in response to Wolbachia and filarial antigens

• Applicant: Dr. Katrin Gentil
• Subject Area: Parasitology and Biology of Tropical Infectious Disease Pathogens
• Term: from 2006 to 2007
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 25925104

Onchocerca volvulus infections which affect the eye (river blindness) are a major cause of blindness in Africa. Despite the success of control measures, more than 350.000 people are estimated to be suffering from blindness due to this disease. An understanding of the pathogenesis was accomplished when it was shown that pathogenic worms carry bacteria of the genus Wolbachia. Studies carried out in my supervisor¿s laboratory used a mouse model of the eye infection to show that the inflammatory response to bacteria rather than the worms are causing the corneal disease (1). It has been proposed that functionally impaired dendritic cells might be a key factor in early regulation of O. volvulus infection. My planned studies will focus on the role of receptor molecules in the development of T-cell response to bacteria and worm antigens. I will also examine the dependence of the immune response in the cornea and the migration of immune cells on Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Results from these studies will not only have an impact on the understanding of river blindness, but also identify critical mediators of the immune response to other parasitic diseases.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professor Dr. Eric Pearlman