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SUMMARY:Schistosoma-gut microbiome interactions: Implications for the path
 ophysiology of the infection (and more?) - Alba Cortéz Carbonell (Univers
 itat de València\, Spain) 
DTSTART:20221214T160000Z
DTEND:20221214T170000Z
UID:TALK182774@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Anna Protasio
DESCRIPTION:A wealth of both experimental and epidemiological data support
 s the occurrence of complex interactions between parasites of the genus Sc
 histosoma and the gut microbiota of their vertebrate hosts. Moreover\, inc
 reasing evidence shows that signals from the host gut flora might be invol
 ved in the immunological cascade that culminates with the formation of tis
 sue granulomas underlaying the pathophysiology of schistosomiasis. In two 
 recent studies we investigated the impact of experimental S. mansoni infec
 tions on the gut microbiome composition and metabolic capacity of mice col
 onised with gut microbial populations from a healthy human donor (HMA mice
 )\, as well as microbiota-wild type (WT) rodents. Our results showed signi
 ficantly higher infection burdens in HMA compared to WT mice\, which were 
 linked to extensive dissimilarities between the gut microbial profiles of 
 each mouse line at baseline. Infection-associated alterations of the gut m
 icrobiota composition also differed between the two mouse lines. However\,
  remarkably\, selected metabolic pathways were consistently affected by pa
 rasite infection in HMA and WT mice. In particular\, the gut microbiomes o
 f infected mice of both lines displayed enhanced capacity for tryptophan a
 nd butyrate production\, which might be linked to the activation of mechan
 isms aimed at preventing excessive injuries caused by migrating parasite e
 ggs. Thus\, complementing data from previous studies\, our findings sugges
 t that the host gut microbiome might play a dual role in the pathophysiolo
 gy of schistosomiasis\, where intestinal bacteria may contribute to egg-as
 sociated pathology while\, in turn\, protect the host from uncontrolled ti
 ssue damage. Indeed\, the immunomodulatory ability of the schistosome-asso
 ciated microbiota is supported by our preliminary observation that faecal 
 microbial transplants from S. mansoni-infected to germ free mice ameliorat
 e allergic airway inflammation. Future investigations are necessary to ide
 ntify specific bacteria-derived products mediating such protective effects
 . Thus far\, studies undertaking this task have mainly focused on selected
  microbial metabolites (e.g.\, short chain fatty acids). However\, recent 
 advances in gut microbiome research point towards an important role for mi
 crobiota-derived extracellular vesicles in the regulation of both intestin
 al barrier function and host immunity\; therefore\, these nanoparticles mi
 ght represent yet overlooked key mediators of host-helminth-microbiota cro
 sstalk.\n\nThis talk will be broadcasted via Zoom. Please use this "link":
 https://zoom.us/j/93671923531?pwd=QnAzVUxzU3AvdHV1Rk5YeERNNjJOdz09 to gain
  access.
LOCATION:Seminar Room\, Tennis Court Road\, Dept of Pathology.
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