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The role of carbon dioxide in mediating host-parasite interactions in a skin-penetrating nematode

Award Number: DP2AI192743
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/18/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2031

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The role of carbon dioxide in mediating host-parasite interactions in a skin-penetrating nematode - PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT The overall goal of the proposed study is to investigate the behavioral and physiological responses of skin- penetrating nematodes to host-associated chemosensory cues and elucidate the neural and molecular mechanisms that drive these responses. Skin-penetrating nematodes such as the human-parasitic threadworm Strongyloides stercoralis and hookworms of the genera Ancylostoma and Necator infect over a billion people worldwide and cause extensive morbidity, yet the chemosensory mechanisms that enable these nematodes to locate and infect hosts remain poorly understood. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an important host-associated cue for many parasites and disease vectors that elicits robust behavioral responses in multiple parasitic nematode species. However, the role of CO2 in shaping parasite-host interactions is poorly understood and the neural and molecular mechanisms that underlie CO2-evoked responses have not been studied in any mammalian-parasitic nematode. This proposal will elucidate the role of CO2 in driving the interactions of skin-penetrating nematodes with their hosts using S. stercoralis as a model. Specifically, this study aims to elucidate the role of CO2 in mediating three crucial steps of the parasite-host interaction: (a) the process of finding hosts (host seeking), (b) development inside hosts after host invasion (intra-host development), and (c) navigation inside the host body to complete the parasitic life cycle and establish an infection (intra-host navigation). By elucidating the neural circuits and molecular signaling pathways that drive chemosensory responses of S. stercoralis to CO2 in the context of host seeking, intra-host development and intra-host navigation, this proposal will provide the first insights into how host-associated chemosensory cues support the life cycle of skin-penetrating nematodes and enable them to parasitize humans. The proposed study will also reveal the unique chemosensory adaptations of the nervous systems of parasitic nematodes that sculpt parasite-specific behavior and physiology. In addition, the outcome of the proposed work may help in the development of novel approaches to prevent nematode infections.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $455,680 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON	7000 FANNIN ST FL 9	HOUSTON	TX	77030	HARRIS	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	9/18/2026	NEW	$455,680
														Subtotal = $455,680

Grand Total All Awards = $455,680

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The role of carbon dioxide in mediating host-parasite interactions in a skin-penetrating nematode

Award Number: DP2AI192743

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/18/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2031

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