# IMMUNOBIOLOGY OF SCHISTOSOME-MOLLUSK INTERACTIONS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 1993 · $152,647

## Abstract

The long-term objective of the proposed research is to define and
characterize the molecular mechanisms underlying genetically-determined
resistance and susceptibility in snails Biomphalaria glabrata to
infection by larval Schistosoma mansoni, causative agent of human
schistosomiasis mansoni.  Defined susceptible (S) and resistant (R)
strains of B. glabrata will be employed in comparative biochemical and
immunological studies designed to provide an indepth analysis of the
molecular interaction between snail hemocytes (primary anti-parasite
effector cells) and the early intramolluscan stages of S. mansoni
(miracidium, primary sporocyst).  Surface polypeptides from S and R
strain hemocytes will be labeled using a highly sensitive biotin-avidin
system and subjected to SDS-PAGE analyses to compare the occurrence of
individual surface polypeptides on cells of each host strain, and to
determine which of the identified components serve as binding receptors
for larval excretory-secretory proteins (ESP) or sporocyst tegumental
surface proteins (TSP).  S and R snail hemocyte cDNA expression libraries
also will be constructed, and screened with hemocyte membrane-reactive
antisera to identify cDNA inserts encoding potential cell surface
polypeptides.  Expressed recombinant hemocyte proteins will then be used
in further structural comparisons between snail strains, and tested for
their abilities to bind S. mansoni ESP/TSP and to alter hemocyte function
as a consequence of binding.  Finally, individual ESP and TSP components
will be isolated by high performance liquid chromatography and
preparative PAGE, and evaluated for their ability to bind S and R
hemocyte surface proteins (receptors) and to modulate hemocyte-sporocyst
interactions.  this focused research plan directly addresses questions
related to the biochemical basis for hemocyte recognition and/or
activation by early schistosome larvae.  It is anticipated that the
information generated by this research will provide important insights
into the basic mechanisms of pathogen recognition by the molluscan
internal defense system, and eventually may be applied to novel
approaches to control invertebrate vectors of human disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3126215
- **Project number:** 2R01AI015503-16
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **SAM.gov UEI:** LCLSJAGTNZQ7
- **Principal Investigator:** TIMOTHY P. YOSHINO
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1993
- **Award amount:** $152,647
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1988-07-01 → 1997-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3126215

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3126215, IMMUNOBIOLOGY OF SCHISTOSOME-MOLLUSK INTERACTIONS (2R01AI015503-16). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3126215. Licensed CC0.

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