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The group of Dr. Mar Siles Lucas at IRNASA handles in vitro and in vivo models of parasitic-host interactions with Fasciola hepatica, which could be used to evaluate the potential of the parasite and its molecules to modulate relevant entry routes and inflammation routes in COVID-19. On one hand, this parasite has shown influence on the expression of endocytosis-related molecules (e.g. clathrins) on in vitro mouse epithelial cells, routes that may be relevant for SARS-Cov-2 entry to human cells. In addition, F. hepatica results in a modified Th2 response without the inflammatory component in its host in vivo, and this modulation may result in a controlled inflammatory response to COVID-19.
Description

Title: COVID-19: anti-infectious and anti-inflammatory action of immunomodulatory parasite molecules in a safe-to-use synthetic format

Research groups: Viral Biology and Virus Experimental Evolution

The group of Dr. Mar Siles Lucas at IRNASA handles in vitro and in vivo models of parasitic-host interactions with Fasciola hepatica, which could be used to evaluate the potential of the parasite and its molecules to modulate relevant entry routes and inflammation routes in COVID-19. On one hand, this parasite has shown influence on the expression of endocytosis-related molecules (e.g. clathrins) on in vitro mouse epithelial cells, routes that may be relevant for SARS-Cov-2 entry to human cells. In addition, F. hepatica results in a modified Th2 response without the inflammatory component in its host in vivo, and this modulation may result in a controlled inflammatory response to COVID-19.

Total amount: 100.000 €

CRUE - Universidades Españolas Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) Banco Santander

Non-UV principal researchers

Mar Siles Lucas (Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca, IRNASA)

Non-UV participating researchers

  • Ron Geller, Rafael Sanjuan (Universitat de València)
  • Prof. José Pérez, Prof. Álvaro Martínez (Universidad de Córdoba)
  • John Pius Dalton (National University of Ireland, Galway)

Start date
2020 May
End date
2021 May
Funding agencies:

CSIC-CRUE-Santander

Partners:

  • Universitat de València
  • Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca (IRNASA)
  • Universidad de Córdoba
  • NUI Galway