PhD defence
Advancing helminth glycomics Structural specificity and mmunogenicity of schistosomal and filarial glycans
- L.M.C. Petralia
- Date
- Wednesday 16 April 2025
- Time
- Location
-
Academy Building
Rapenburg 73
2311 GJ Leiden
Supervisor(s)
- Prof.dr. C.H. Hokke
- dr. A. van Diepen
- dr. J. Foster
Summary
Schistosomes and filarial nematodes are parasitic worms causing widespread 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 filaria. Glycans are complex and diverse molecules involved in essential biological processes such as parasite development, cell-cell interactions and the human immune response. Therefore, glycans may be good diagnostic or therapeutic targets. In this thesis, the structure and characteristics of the many different glycans expressed by filaria and schistosomes were analysed in great detail, showing that each parasite species produces its own unique set of glycans. In addition, it was found that strong antibody responses, part of the immune defense system of the infected host, are directed against specific parts of these glycans. This means that the so-called antigenic parasite glycans can form a basis of urgently needed vaccines against schistosomes and filaria. The work in this thesis also shows that 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 and improve the health of many worldwide.
PhD dissertations
Approximately one week after the defence, PhD dissertations by Leiden PhD students are available digitally through the Leiden Repository, that offers free access to these PhD dissertations. Please note that in some cases a dissertation may be under embargo temporarily and access to its full-text version will only be granted later.
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