Transgenesis and neuronal ablation in parasitic nematodes: revolutionary new tools to dissect host-parasite interactions

Ease of experimental gene transfer into viral and prokaryotic pathogens has made transgenesis a powerful tool for investigating the interactions of these pathogens with the host immune system. Recent advances have made this approach feasible for more complex protozoan parasites. By contrast, the lac...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Parasite immunology 2008-04, Vol.30 (4), p.203-214
Main Authors: LOK, J.B, ARTIS, D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
biolistics
Caenorhabditis elegans
Gene Transfer Techniques
Host-Parasite Interactions
microinjection
model antigen
Nematoda
Nematoda - genetics
Nematoda - immunology
Nematoda - physiology
Neurons - parasitology
Strongy-loides
Strongyloides stercoralis
transgenesis
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Summary:Ease of experimental gene transfer into viral and prokaryotic pathogens has made transgenesis a powerful tool for investigating the interactions of these pathogens with the host immune system. Recent advances have made this approach feasible for more complex protozoan parasites. By contrast, the lack of a system for heritable transgenesis in parasitic nematodes has hampered progress toward understanding the development of nematode-specific cellular responses. Recently, however, significant strides towards such a system have been made in several parasitic nematodes, and the possible applications of these in immunological research should now be contemplated. In addition, methods for targeted cell ablation have been successfully adapted from Caenorhabditis elegans methodology and applied to studies of neurobiology and behaviour in Strongyloides stercoralis. Together, these new technical developments offer exciting new tools to interrogate multiple aspects of the host-parasite interaction following nematode infection.
ISSN:0141-9838
1365-3024
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-3024.2008.01006.x