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Published on: November 6, 2019
Brugia malayi: establishment in inbred and outbred strains of mice
Ruma Gupta1, Kumkum Tyagi, S K Jain
1Division of Parasitology, Central Drug Research Institute, P.O. Box 173, 226001, Lucknow, India.
Abstract:
Immunocompetent mouse model for human filarial parasite Brugia malayi is urgently required in view of the paucity of commercial reagents for other susceptible rodent viz. mastomys and gerbil. Genes within the major histocompatibility complex have been reported to influence the susceptibility of mouse to helminth parasites. Attempts have therefore been made in the present investigation to experimentally infect various inbred strains of mice viz. NZB/BINJ, BALB/c, AKR, C(3)H, and SJL/J with H-2 haplotype (H-2: d, d, k, k, s, respectively) and outbred strains of mice viz. Parks and Swiss. Findings indicate that susceptibility of mice to B. malayi is strain associated. This is the first report on the successful completion of full developmental cycle of subperiodic B. malayi in NZB/BINJ, an immunocompetent mouse strain. In some of the other strains, partial development or low degree of establishment of worms was observed.
Insights
Developing an immunocompetent mouse model for Brugia malayi filarial parasites is crucial. The NZB/BINJ mouse strain demonstrated successful completion of the parasite's full developmental cycle, offering a valuable research tool.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- A critical need exists for an immunocompetent mouse model for the human filarial parasite Brugia malayi.
- Existing rodent models like mastomys and gerbils lack sufficient commercial reagents for research.
- Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) genes are known to influence host susceptibility to helminth infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and establish a suitable immunocompetent mouse model for Brugia malayi.
- To investigate the influence of different mouse strains and their H-2 haplotypes on Brugia malayi susceptibility.
- To achieve the full developmental cycle of Brugia malayi in a mouse model.
Main Methods:
- Experimental infection of various inbred mouse strains (NZB/BINJ, BALB/c, AKR, C(3)H, SJL/J) and outbred strains (Parks, Swiss) with Brugia malayi.
- Monitoring of parasite establishment and development across different mouse strains.
- Characterization of H-2 haplotypes for each tested mouse strain (H-2: d, d, k, k, s).
Main Results:
- Mouse susceptibility to Brugia malayi infection is significantly associated with the host strain.
- The NZB/BINJ mouse strain (H-2: d) successfully supported the complete developmental cycle of subperiodic Brugia malayi.
- Partial development or low worm establishment was observed in some other tested mouse strains.
Conclusions:
- The NZB/BINJ mouse strain represents the first reported immunocompetent model supporting the full lifecycle of Brugia malayi.
- This finding provides a valuable new tool for research into filariasis and related host-parasite interactions.
- Strain-specific susceptibility highlights the genetic basis of host-parasite dynamics in helminth infections.
