Advancing helminth glycomics: structural specificity and immunogenicity of schistosomal and filarial glycans

Abstract

Schistosomes and filarial nematodes are parasitic worms causing disease in humans, particularly in developing countries where hundreds of millions are affected. The need for protective vaccines, new drugs for treatment and better diagnostic tools for accurate detection of infections is high. To tackle this need, a comprehensive understanding of parasite biology and molecular details of interactions between the parasite and the infected host are required. The research performed in this thesis investigates the role of carbohydrates, also called glycans, in infections with schistosomes and filarial nematodes. Glycans are complex and diverse molecules involved in essential biological processes and, therefore, hold potential as diagnostic or therapeutic targets. In this thesis, the structure of many different glycans expressed by filarial nematodes and schistosomes were minutely characterized, showing that each parasite species produces its own unique set of glycans. In addition, it was found that the infected host develop strong antibody responses against specific parts of these glycans. Thus, the so-called antigenic parasite glycans can form a basis of urgently needed vaccines. Moreover, antibodies against parasite species-specific glycans, detected in blood of infected people, can be used for diagnosis. Altogether this work provides valuable information to contribute to combatting schistosomiasis and filariasis.