Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Host Resistance to Toxoplasma Gondii

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that has a worldwide distribution. Depending on the geographic area, 30-70% of the human population is infected with this parasite, and essentially the entire human population is at risk of infection. This obligate parasite is usually responsible for multi-organ failure only in immunocompromised individuals, especially those afflicted with AIDS, but if infection with T. gondii occurs during pregnancy, abortion or fetal abnormalities often occur. The combined efforts of IL-12 and IFN- are central to resistance to T. gondii.<P> We have recently established that TLR11 plays a dominant role in sensing T. gondii, regulating IL-12 production, and activating T cell-mediated responses to the parasite. Concomitantly, TLR11 is represented in humans only by a non-functional pseudogene, and the major question of how human innate and adaptive immune responses occur in the absence of TLR11 remains unanswered. <P>The overall goals of this project are 1) to determine the roles of neutrophils, macrophages, and DCs in the regulation of TLR11-independent induction of IL-12; 2) to determine the roles of NK, CD4, and CD8 T cells in IFN--dependent host resistance to T. gondii in the absence of TLR11; and 3) to identify similarities and differences during systemic and mucosal TLR11-independent immune responses to T. gondii. <P>These studies are expected to identify mechanisms of TLR11-independent host resistance to T. gondii. In addition, these studies are essential for establishing animal models suitable for the design of protective vaccines against T. gondii, and possibly against other apicomplexan parasites. <P> PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is a universally-distributed pathogen that infects over 1 billion people world-wide. The goal of this proposal is to determine how innate and adaptive immunity to T. gondii are induced and regulated in the absence of TLR11 (a situation relevant to human toxoplasmosis). Through the experiments described in this proposal, we expect to obtain the knowledge needed to develop strategies for safe and efficient vaccines against T. gondii and other protozoan parasites.