Trichuris trichiura is a gastrointestinal dwelling nematode that infects almost 500 million people worldwide. T. muris occurs naturally in mice and is very closely related the human whipworm, making it a suitable model to dissect the immune response against the parasite. Studies using the Trichuris muris system have identified CD4+ T cells as dictators of the outcome of infection. In wild type mice, infection with a high dose of T. muris eggs leads to resistance and worm expulsion, which are dependent on a Th2 response and the secretion of type 2 cytokines especially interleukin (IL) 13. Chronicity is dependent on a Th1 response and occurs when mice are infected with a low dose of T. muris eggs. It is well established that metabolic changes are essential to promoting T cell activation and effector function. Moreover, during chronic infection the host immune system is continuously exposed to parasite antigen, which represents a metabolic challenge. This thesis has investigated the importance of T cell metabolism during response against T. muris. Data presented here show that low and high dose T. muris infections promote upregulation of the glycolytic pathway in CD4+ T cells. During later stages of chronic infection, CD4+ T cells displayed supressed glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration, and may be due to metabolic modulation imposed by the parasite. Leucine uptake via the amino acid transporter Slc7a5 was previously shown to be required for mTORC1 activation and for T cell effector function. Data presented here show that in early stages following a high dose T. muris infection, mice that lack Slc7a5 in T cells have delayed worm expulsion, impaired production of antibodies, and lower levels of IL-13. Their CD4+ T cells present reduced glycolytic rates when compared to cells from cohoused infected wild type mice. However, at later stages of infection, antibody, IL-13 and glycolytic levels were restored together with worm expulsion. CD4+ T cells from the early stage of infection showed reduced phosphorylation of mTOR, which suggested that impairment of function was mTOR dependent. Indeed, mice lacking mTOR in T cells fail to expel a high dose of parasites. They showed abrogation of IL-13 production, impairment in antibody class switching and their CD4+ T cells failed to upregulate glycolysis. Thus, this thesis shows that mTOR is essential for the proper functioning of T cells during T. muris infection and efficient amino acid transport plays a significant role. Taken together, these data show that metabolic orchestration of T cell function influences the capacity to effectively control helminth infection and that even subtle changes in T cell metabolic control can have a major effect on response phenotype.

Infections are a common co-morbidity in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and evidence suggests that infections can exacerbate neuroinflammation and increase cognitive decline in AD patients. In AD, immune changes are observed both in the central nervous system (CNS) and in the rest of the body. However, only a few studies have investigated immune responses to infection in AD. Here, two extensively studied infections, Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and Trichuris muris (T. muris) were used to investigate infection in AD. T. gondii is a protozoan parasite which is common globally, including in the developed world where AD cases are increasing dramatically. Infection with T. gondii starts in the gut, before becoming systemic and then infecting the CNS, where the parasite forms a chronic cyst infection. In contrast, T. muris is a nematode parasite, which remains localised to the gut. Notably, T. gondii is known to alter neuroinflammation and behaviour. T. gondii forms cysts preferentially in the areas of the brain commonly affected by AD, such as the hippocampus, which therefore makes it an interesting model to study co-morbidity. AD is often associated with advanced age. As we age, our immune system declines, and an important unanswered question is whether age impacts on the immune response to infection. This is of particular significance when considering chronic infections such as T. gondii, which require immune surveillance to prevent parasite recrudescence. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to investigate infection in AD by determining: whether the immune response to an infection is altered in AD; whether the immune response to an infection in AD differs with age; what the effects of infection are on neuroinflammation, pathology and behaviour in AD; what are the effects of chronic infection with T. gondii. Immune responses to infection were altered in both the 3xTg-AD and the APP PS1 mouse models of AD, including increased inflammation and weight loss in AD mice following infection. Although older (eleven to twelve-month-old) 3xTg-AD mice showed some alterations in cytokine responses following infection, overall there were no major difference compared to younger (five to six-month-old) animals. Additionally, infection was found to alter neuroinflammation in both 3xTg-AD and APP PS1 mice, though differently. In 3xTg-AD mice, microglia activation increased following infection with T. gondii and T. muris, showing that infection did not need to be in the brain to alter neuroinflammation. In APP PS1 mice, a decrease in microglia activation occurred after infection with T. gondii, which was accompanied by an increase in IL-1alpha production and increased amyloid beta levels in APP PS1 mice following infection. However, no changes were found in behaviour following infection with T. gondii or T. muris in AD mouse models. Finally, chronic T. gondii infection was investigated in the TgF344-AD rat, which was established as a suitable AD model with both amyloid and tau pathology in which to study chronic infection. This work adds to a growing body of literature to suggest that infections are detrimental to AD patients, and that future measures to decrease morbidity could focus on further study of infections in AD, and the development of strategies to better prevent infections in AD patients.

Submitted by Pós Imunologia (ppgimicsufba@gmail.com) on 2017-02-14T15:24:05Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO - Samara Alves Sá Teles.pdf: 1106383 bytes, checksum: 1bb15f702feb2f073001225aaae2d132 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Delba Rosa (delba@ufba.br) on 2017-06-29T13:56:29Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO - Samara Alves Sá Teles.pdf: 1106383 bytes, checksum: 1bb15f702feb2f073001225aaae2d132 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-29T13:56:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO - Samara Alves Sá Teles.pdf: 1106383 bytes, checksum: 1bb15f702feb2f073001225aaae2d132 (MD5) / CAPES / Com o aumento da prevalência de doenças inflamatórias, em especial as alérgicas, a busca por estratégias terapêuticas visando à melhoria de vida dos indivíduos doentes tornou-se um vasto campo de pesquisa. Neste âmbito, o uso de helmintos e derivados que possuem potencial imunomodulatório tem se mostrado eficiente na inibição da inflamação em modelos experimentais dessas doenças. Objetivo: Produzir e analisar, in silico, o antígeno recombinante do Trichuris trichiura homólogo ao fator inibidor de migração de macrófagos (rTt-MIF) e avaliar seu efeito em cultura de células monomorfonucleares de sangue periférico (CMSP) de indivíduos atópicos e não atópicos. Métodos: A análise in silico da proteína foi realizada utilizando diversas ferramentas de bioinformática. A sequência codificadora do antígeno recombinante foi sintetizada e clonada em um plasmídeo de expressão, a partir do qual foi realizada a expressão heteróloga da proteína em sistema procarioto, com posterior purificação por cromatografia de afinidade e determinação do conteúdo proteico e de endotoxina. Após teste cutâneo e dosagem de IgE por ImunoCAP, foram selecionados 12 indivíduos não atópicos e 14 indivíduos atópicos cujo sangue periférico foi coletado para realizar o cultivo de células monomorfonucleares. As células foram cultivadas sob três condições: estímulo do rTt-MIF, meio de cultivo sem estímulo e estimuladas por Pokeweed ou LPS. Após o cultivo, os sobrenadantes foram coletados para realização da dosagem das citocinas IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-5 e IL-17A. Resultados: A molécula caracterizada como estável e solúvel foi produzida, obtida na quantidade de 2,4 mg/mL com 1,9 EU/mL. O rTt-MIF induziu o aumento da produção de IL-10 pelas células dos indivíduos atópicos (P=0,0001) e dos não atópicos (P=0,0005). Em relação às citocinas IFN-γ, IL-5 e IL-17, o rTt-MIF não induziu a produção destas pelas células dos indivíduos atópicos e não atópicos. Conclusão: A ação do rTt-MIF sobre o cultivo de células momonucleares do sangue periférico, de aumentar a produção de IL-10 e não induzir a produção de IFN-γ, IL-5 e IL-17A, mostra o potencial imunomodulador dessa molécula, com possível efeito de reduzir a elevação de eosinófilos, neutrófilos e citocinas inflamatórias. / With the increasing prevalence of inflammatory diseases, in particular allergies, the search for therapeutic strategies aiming to improve life quality of sick individuals has become a vast field of research. In this context, the use of helminths and their derivatives that demonstrate potential immunomodulatory effect has been effective in inhibiting inflammation in experimental models of inflammatory diseases. Objective: To produce and analyze in silico the recombinant antigen from Trichuris trichiura homologous to the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (rTt-MIF) and evaluate its effect on peripheral blood mononuclear cells culture (PBMC) of atopic and non-atopic individuals. Methods: Bioinformatics tools made the analysis in silico. The Tt-MIF codifying sequence was synthesized and cloned into a plasmid, allowing the heterologous expression of the protein in a prokaryotic system, with subsequent purification by affinity chromatography and protein and endotoxin quantifications. After prick test and IgE dosage by ImmunoCAP test, 12 non-atopic individuals and 14 atopic individuals were selected, whose peripheral blood were collected to obtain the mononuclear cells (PBMC) for in vitro culture. Cells were stimulated with the rTt-MIF, as negative control cells were cultivated without stimuli and, as positive control, cells were cultivated with Pokeweed or LPS. After the culture, the supernatants were assayed to quantify IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-5 and IL-17A. Results: The protein characterized as soluble and stable was produced and obtained in the amount of 2,4 mg/mL with 1,9 EU/mL. The rTt-MIF induced a stimulatory effect on IL-10 production by cells from atopic individuals (P=0.0001) and by cells from non-atopic individuals (P=0,0005). The rTt-MIF did not induce the production of IFN-γ, IL-5 and IL-17A by cells from atopic and non-atopic individuals. Conclusion: The effects of rTt-MIF increasing IL-10 production and not inducing the production of IFN-γ, IL-5 and IL-17A on human PBMC cultures are indicative of its immunomodulatory potential, with possible effect of decreasing eosinophilic and neutrophilic presence and inducing immune regulation.

Submitted by Pós Imunologia (ppgimicsufba@gmail.com) on 2017-02-20T16:04:48Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_Leonardo N Santos_2015.pdf: 2984020 bytes, checksum: 9d50efbbf3adc016e9e13dce54e5a3d2 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Delba Rosa (delba@ufba.br) on 2017-06-07T13:34:06Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_Leonardo N Santos_2015.pdf: 2984020 bytes, checksum: 9d50efbbf3adc016e9e13dce54e5a3d2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-07T13:34:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_Leonardo N Santos_2015.pdf: 2984020 bytes, checksum: 9d50efbbf3adc016e9e13dce54e5a3d2 (MD5) / FAPESB / Helmintos modulam a resposta imune do hospedeiro e, consequentemente, protegem contra doenças inflamatórias. Diferentes classes de proteínas recombinantes derivadas destes parasitos, produzidas em sistemas de expressão procarióticos e eucarióticos, têm sido capazes de inibir respostas inflamatórias em modelos experimentais de doenças imunomediadas. A identificação do conteúdo proteico de frações do extrato somático de Trichuris trichiura com efeitos imunomodulatórios foi alcançada através de análises em sistema de cromatografia líquida acoplada à espectrometria de massas em uma abordagem proteômica que indicou proteínas candidatas a serem responsáveis por esta atividade biológica. Os resultados desta abordagem foram confirmados e expandidos pela análise transcriptômica do estágio adulto de T. trichiura usando tecnologia de sequenciamento de nova geração e uma estratégia de montagem de novo, onde vinte transcritos que codificam para as proteínas previamente detectadas foram identificados, sendo que cinco desses estão entre as sequências codificadoras de proteínas mais expressas no verme adulto. Estas análises contribuirão para a anotação funcional da sequência genômica de T. trichiurarecém disponibilizada e viabilizarão a produção de proteínas recombinantes codificadas por estes transcritos que poderãolevar ao desenvolvimento de novos medicamentos para a terapia de doenças alérgicas e autoimunes. / Helminths modulate the host immune response and, consequently, protect it against inflammatory diseases. Different classes of recombinant proteins derived from these parasites, produced in prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems, were able to inhibit inflammatory responses in experimental models of immune mediated diseases. The identification of the protein content of Trichuris trichiura somatic extract fractions with immunomodulatory effects was achieved by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in a proteomics approach that indicated candidate proteins to be responsible for this biological activity. The results of this approach were confirmed and expanded by transcriptomic analysis of T. trichiura adult worm using next-generation sequencing technology and a de novo assembly strategy, where twenty transcripts that code for previously detected proteins were identified, and five of whom were among the most expressed protein-encoding sequences in the adult worm. These analyses will contribute to the functional annotation of the recently released draft genomic sequence of this nematode and will enable the production of recombinant proteins, encoded by these transcripts, that may lead to the development of new drugs for the treatment of allergy, autoimmune and other inflammatory diseases.

Submitted by Helena Bejio (helena.bejio@unioeste.br) on 2017-11-16T18:52:34Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Fábio HR Silveira 2016.pdf: 2555885 bytes, checksum: 29051e06e2f268f821a9b563e9878402 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-11-16T18:52:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Fábio HR Silveira 2016.pdf: 2555885 bytes, checksum: 29051e06e2f268f821a9b563e9878402 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-14 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This study aims to assess the farm size effect and parturition order on the occurrence and the logarithm of the egg count per gram of endo- stool in commercial sows housed in the maternity and pregnancy in situated farms in West micro-region Paraná. The 43 Production Units Piglets, set in eight micro-regions, classified into four farm sizes: small (100 to 250 arrays), medium (251-510 arrays), large (511-1000 arrays) and very large (more than 1,000 dies ) and three orders calving up to two deliveries, 3 to 5 and more than 5 deliveries. The feces samples were processed through flotation technique saturated salt solution. Statistical analysis was based on the theory of generalized linear models, the observed data variables expressed by binary values were adjusted to the binomial and the normal distributions. The existing significance farm size (TG), birth order (PO), interaction between TG and OP was verified by the deviance analysis Of the 1,596 fecal samples, 4.64% were positive for Ascaris suum, 0, Trichuris suis to 56% and 8.27% for oocysts of coccidia. Properties with small and medium farm size have a higher percentage of parasites when compared with large and very large, especially in farrowing order between zero and two deliveries. The younger females removed a greater amount of Ascaris suum and Trichuris suis. / O presente estudo tem por objetivo avaliar o efeito de tamanho de granja e ordem de parição sobre a ocorrência e o logaritmo da contagem de ovos por grama de fezes de endoparasitas em matrizes suínas comerciais alojadas na maternidade e gestação em granjas situadas na microrregião do Oeste do Paraná. As 43 Unidades Produtoras de Leitões, inseridas em oito microrregiões, classificadas em quatro tamanhos de granja: pequena (100 a 250 matrizes), média (251 a 510 matrizes), grande (511 a 1.000 matrizes) e muito grande (mais que 1.000 matrizes) e em três ordens de parição: até 2 partos, 3 a 5 e mais que 5 partos. As amostras de fezes foram processadas por meio da técnica de flutuação em solução saturada de sal. A análise estatística foi realizada com base na teoria dos modelos lineares generalizados, os dados observados de variáveis expressas por valores binários foram ajustados às distribuições binomial e normal. A significância existente de tamanho de granja (TG), ordem de parto (OP), interação entre TG e OP foi verificada por meio da análise de deviance, Das 1.596 amostras fecais coletadas, 4,64% foram positivas para Ascaris suum, 0,56% para Trichuris suis e 8,27% para oocistos de coccídeos. As propriedades com tamanho de granja pequeno e médio possuem uma porcentagem mais elevada de parasitas quando comparada com as grandes e muito grandes, principalmente nas de ordem de parição entre zero e dois partos. As fêmeas mais novas eliminaram uma maior quantidade de ovos de Ascaris suum e Trichuris suis.

Trichuris trichiura (T. Trichiura) is a large-intestinal dwelling nematode that affects over 1 billion people world-wide and thus has large global significance. Much of our understanding of T. trichiura infection comes from the study of the mouse model Trichuris muris (T. muris). However, how the immune system is initiated in response to helminth threat and how inflammation and pathology are resolved in T. muris infection still remain to be addressed. Here, I have attempted to provide insight into these questions. Previous work has shown resistance to T. muris infection is associated with the rapid recruitment of dendritic cells (DCs) to the colonic epithelium via epithelial production of CCL5 and CCL20. However, the epithelial-parasite interaction that drives chemokine production is not known. Pattern recognition receptor (PRRS) are critical mediators of pathogen recognition but there is no known (PRR) specific for T. muris. Here, we address the role of the cytosolic pattern recognition receptor Nod2, the location of which within the crypts correlates with the T. muris niche. In WT mice, in response to infection, there was a rapid influx of CD103+CD11c+ DCs into the colonic epithelium, whereas, this recruitment was impaired in Nod2 /- animals. In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed the impairment in DC recruitment in Nod2-/- mice was attributable to the epithelial compartment. Subsequent work revealed decreased production of epithelial chemokines in the absence of functional Nod2. Thus, we have shown a novel role for Nod2 in the initiation the immune response to T. muris. We next addressed how pathology is regulated during T. muris infection. Firstly we investigated the role of arginase and Arg1-expressing macrophages in regulating pathology. My data showed that, unlike other gastrointestinal helminths, arginase and Arg1-expressing macrophages are not essential for resistance to T. muris or effective resolution of helminth-induced inflammation. I also addressed the role of DCs in the resolution of infection. DCs can regulate immune responses via the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and induction of regulatory T cells (Treg). I used an IL 10flox/floxCD11cCre transgenic model in which mice have DCs that cannot make IL-10. I found no role for CD11c+ cell mediated IL-10 production in the regulation of pathogen induced pathology in chronic T. muris infection. In summary I have been able to identify factors in the initiation of immunity to T. muris namely epithelial expression of Nod2. However, as arginase, Arg1-expressing macrophages and DC derived IL-10 appeared to play a redundant role in T. muris infection, the question as to how infection induced inflammation is resolved remains elusive.

Goblet cells in the mucosal layer of the gastrointestinal tract are the primary source of gel-forming mucins, representing front-line defense. Sterile alpha motif-pointed domain ETS family transcription factor (SPDEF) has a crucial role in terminal differentiation, proliferation and maturation of goblet cells. Gut microbiota is an integral part of our internal environment. In a murine model of intestinal helminthic infection Trichuris muris, the interaction between host microbiota and parasite was seen to play critical roles in immune defense. This interaction is mediated through various mechanisms, including Toll-like receptor (TLR) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor signaling cascades. However, the precise role of intestinal microbiota and NOD/TLR signaling in regulating SPDEF is not yet understood. Hence, we investigated the role of SPDEF in intestinal goblet cell response, the role of helminth-microbiota axis and NOD/TLR signaling in modulating SPDEF during T. muris infection. Experiments were conducted in wild-type (SPDEF+/+) and SPDEF-deficient (SPDEF-/-) mice on BALB/c background at different timepoints of T. muris infection. We observed increased PAS+ goblet cells and higher expression of SPDEF and Muc2 in SPDEF+/+ mice following infection with elevated levels of IL-4 and IL-13. SPDEF+/+ mice showed decreased worm burden from day 14 to 21 post-infection. Microbial analysis revealed altered composition in SPDEF+/+ and SPDEF-/- after infection. Microbiota was transplanted from naïve and T. muris infected mice to separate groups of antibiotic-treated (ABX-treated) mice. Increased PAS+ goblet cells and higher expression of SPDEF and Muc2 were observed in ABX-treated mice after receiving naive and T. muris-altered microbiota. Goblet cell number, the expression of SPDEF and Muc2 were higher in ABX-treated mice who received T. muris-altered microbiota. Microbial analysis revealed differences in T. muris-altered microbiota compared to naïve microbiota. In vitro experiment was conducted in human colonic mucin secreting LS174T cells where we observed stimulated mRNA expression of SPDEF and MUC2 by T. muris excretory-secretory products. These findings reveal new information about major interactions among parasites, microbiota and SPDEF-mediated intestinal goblet cell response in the context of host defense. / Thesis / Master of Health Sciences (MSc)

The swine whipworm, Trichuris suis, is a parasite present throughout the United States and is of concern to the swine industry worldwide because it is very pathogenic to growing pigs. The economic threat posed by T. suis and other intestinal parasite infections has created a strong interest in the development of parasite vaccines for the swine industry. Use of a vaccine either alone or with anthelmintics should reduce the economic losses. However, before effective parasite vaccines can be created, the swine gastrointestinal immune response to parasite antigens must be understood. In this study, an enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay was developed to measure total and antigen-specific IgG and IgA antibody secreting cells (ASC) from gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) [mesenteric lymph node explants from jejunal region of small intestine (SI-MLN) and cecum in large intestine (C-MLN); and ileocecal Peyer's patches (IC-PP)] and lamina propria from the proximal colon removed from T. suis infected pigs. Tbe local antibody responses were compared to peripheral antibody responses found in the spleen and submandibular lymph nodes. The hypotheses to be tested was that parasite antigen-specific antibody secreting cells would be greatest in lymphoid tissue draining the site of infection compared to peripheral lymphoid tissues and that 19A ASC would predominate over IgG ASC in the lamina propria of T. suis infected pigs. The total IgG and IgA ASC frequencies for the spleen, SI-MLN, and ICPP did not significantly change (P> 0.05) over time. For C-MLN, there was a significant increase (p< 0.05) of total IgG ASC during a primary infection with T. suis. Antigen-specific IgG ASC were greatest at the GALT site closest to the infection, CMLN, whereas, antigen-specific IgA ASC predominated in the proximal colonic: lamina propria. Host protection to T. suis develops after anthelmintic: treatment of a primary exposure to parasite. The ELISPOT assay provided valuable information on the localization and compartmentalization of the swine gastrointestinal immune response to T. suis which resides in the cecum and proximal colon. In the future, this technique may be useful for monitoring gastrointestinal immune parameters of pigs exposed to a T. sllis vaccine. / Ph. D.

Over one third of the human population is currently infected by one or more species of parasitic helminth, but the immune responses elicited by these infections remain poorly defined. Studies in helminth-exposed human populations and laboratory models suggest that helminth infection elicits a range of different effector cell types and that protective immunity and resistance to immune-mediated pathology depends on the balance between these responses. The aim of this thesis was to investigate how cytokines, the molecular mediators of the immune system, can be used to characterise human immune phenotype during natural and experimental helminth infection. Cytokines associated with innate inflammatory (TNFα, IL-6 and IL-9), Thl (IFNγ, IL-2 and IL-12p70), Th2 (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13), Th17 (IL-17A, IL-21 and IL-23) and regulatory (IL-10 and TGFβ)immune phenotypes were analysed to provide the most comprehensive analysis of cytokine responses in human helminth infection conducted to-date. Using a multivariate statistical approach cytokines were analysed as combined immune profiles to reflect their complex interactions in vivo. In the first part of the study venous blood samples collected from a cross-sectional cohort of 284 Zimbabweans (age range: 3 -86 years) endemically-exposed to Schistosoma haematobium were cultured with antigens from different stages of the parasite's life-cycle(cercariae, adult worms and eggs) and the anti-schistosome vaccine candidate antigen glutathionine-S-transferase (GST). Cytokines responses were quantified in culture supernatants via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). These assays were repeated 6 weeks after clearance of infection by anti-helminthic treatment. Parasitological and demographic characterisation of the cohort before, 6 weeks, 6 and 18 months after treatment allowed cytokine responses to be related to epidemiological patterns of infection before treatment and the risk of re-infection after treatment. The main findings of this study were:Cytokine responses to the antigens of S. haematobium cercariae are more proinflammatory than those elicited by adult worms and eggs prior to treatment, reflecting the distinct proteomes and exposure patterns of the 3 life-cycle stages Young children (5-10 years old) have a more regulatory and Th17-polarised cytokine response to S. haematobium antigens than older children and adults. These responses are significantly associated with schistosome infection intensity and may contribute to the development of resistance to schistosomiasis with age and exposure to infection Anti-helminthic treatment leads to a shift in S. haematobium cercariae, egg and GST specific cytokine responses towards a more pro-inflammatory phenotype The magnitude of change in S. haematobium-specific cytokine profiles after treatment is dependent on schistosome infection intensity at the time of treatment Individuals who remain un-infected up to 18 months after treatment to clear schistosome infection have a more pro-inflammatory and IL-21-polarised response to S. haematobium antigens 6 weeks after treatment than those who become re-infected, suggesting that post-treatment cytokine profiles promote resistance to re-infection. The second part of the study assayed systemic, parasite and allergen-specific cytokine responses in 45 adults with seasonally exacerbated allergy to grass pollen who were experimentally exposed to Trichuris suis. Cytokine responses in infected individuals were compared to those of 44 un-infected controls. This aspect of the study showed that: Exposure to T. suis promotes systemic and parasite-specific Th2 and regulatory cytokine responses, but does not alter cytokine responses to environmental allergens.

In this thesis the concentrations of heavy metals have been statistically appraised on the basis of samples gained from small intestines of European hare - Lepus europaeus and from an endoparasite Trichuris leporis (found by a washing method). Tha appraisal has been performed by atomic absorption spectrometry -- AAS, electrothermal atomization - ETA-AAS (for Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb), and means of atomization in the flame FAAS (Cu, Mn, Zn). The pieces of offal of hare game have been obtained from a common hunting in the localities of the Czech Republic represented by the region of South Moravia, Moravian-Silesian, Olomouc, and the Highlands. The sample collecting has been conducted from 2008 to 2012. Statistically significant differences of heavy metals concentrations have been found out between the individual localities. In addition, an endoparasite as a possible bioindicator of heavy metals load on the forest environment has been evaluated differently. Furthermore, in endoparasites there have been detected an exceeding of the hygiene limits for food. Conclusion made on the basis of all statistical analysis performed in this study says that Trichuris leporis indicates heavy metals load on ecosystems by wider range of heavy metals than the small intestine and more, considerably in the higher concentrations. Thus, Trichuris leporis can be used as a sentinel organism for the indication of heavy metals in the forest environment, at least in an area of the European hare territory.