| Summary: |
Neospora caninum is an apicomplexa parasite first described as a causative agent of neurologic disease in dogs. Although N.
caninum has been isolated from several animal species, neosporosis assumes particular importance in cattle, where it is responsible
for abortions reported in many countries, including Portugal [1,2]. No commercial vaccine is currently available to prevent this
parasitic infection thus leading to a heavy economic impact in dairy and beef industry [1,2].
In recent years, this project team has made significant contributions for the characterization of the immune mechanisms elicited by
N. caninum infection. Our latest work showed marked immune cell alterations in the adipose tissue of N. caninum infected mice that
persist after local parasite elimination [3]. Interestingly, an evident Th1-mediated response, the prototypic type of immune
response protective against neosporosis was observed in the adipose tissue of the infected mice [3]. It would thus be pertinent to
further explore the role of adipose tissue T cell populations in the outcome of this parasitic infection, not only in the murine model
but, more importantly, in the bovine host. With this project we expect therefore to contribute for a better understanding of
neosporosis in a field yet to be explored and at the same time contribute to the understanding of immune responses occurring in the
adipose tissue of naturally infected animals. Our team gathers researchers with expertise in the different scientific areas necessary
to carry out this project such as Immunology, Veterinary Sciences, Anatomy and Microbiology. |