McKay, DerekCampbell, Alec2016-08-312016-08-3120152015Campbell, A. (2015). Assessment of the Rat Tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta and its Antigens in the Treatment of DNBS Colitis (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/25031http://hdl.handle.net/11023/3242The concept of helminth therapy for autoinflammatory disorders is well-established. We utilized the H. diminuta-mouse model system to explore novel therapeutic options. We hypothesized that an optimal treatment regimen for H. diminuta existed which would be ideal for further study. Mice were infected with H. diminuta, or injected with one of two H. diminuta protein extracts, and the impact of this on dinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (DNBS)-induced colitis assessed. We found infection with a single H. diminuta significantly protected mice from DNBS. A single intraperitoneal injection of H. diminuta soluble products was also protective. Selective degradation of H. diminuta soluble products revealed a glycosylated, heat-stable immunomodulator. Finally, treatment with H. diminuta excretory-secretory products was effective at blocking DNBS. We conclude that infection with H. diminuta could be developed therapeutically for IBD and that further studies investigating the mechanism of H. diminuta’s immunomodulation should focus on the study of its excretory-secretory products.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Animal PhysiologyParasitologyImmunologyPharmacologymaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/25031