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Rodríguez-Durán A, Ullah S, Parizi LF, Ali A, da Silva Vaz Junior I. Rabbits as Animal Models for Anti-Tick Vaccine Development: A Global Scenario. Pathogens 2023; 12:1117. [PMID: 37764925 PMCID: PMC10536012 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies evaluating candidate tick-derived proteins as anti-tick vaccines in natural hosts have been limited due to high costs. To overcome this problem, animal models are used in immunization tests. The aim of this article was to review the use of rabbits as an experimental model for the evaluation of tick-derived proteins as vaccines. A total of 57 tick proteins were tested for their immunogenic potential using rabbits as models for vaccination. The most commonly used rabbit breeds were New Zealand (73.8%), Japanese white (19%), Californians (4.8%) and Flemish lop-eared (2.4%) rabbits. Anti-tick vaccines efficacy resulted in up to 99.9%. Haemaphysalis longicornis (17.9%) and Ornithodoros moubata (12.8%) were the most common tick models in vaccination trials. Experiments with rabbits have revealed that some proteins (CoAQP, OeAQP, OeAQP1, Bm86, GST-Hl, 64TRP, serpins and voraxin) can induce immune responses against various tick species. In addition, in some cases it was possible to determine that the vaccine efficacy in rabbits was similar to that of experiments performed on natural hosts (e.g., Bm86, IrFER2, RmFER2, serpins and serine protease inhibitor). In conclusion, results showed that prior to performing anti-tick vaccination trials using natural hosts, rabbits can be used as suitable experimental models for these studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arlex Rodríguez-Durán
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande de Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil; (A.R.-D.); (S.U.); (L.F.P.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande de Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9090, Porto Alegre 91540-000, RS, Brazil
- Grupo de Investigación Parasitología Veterinaria, Laboratorio de Parasitología Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 45 No. 26-85, Bogotá 110911, Colombia
| | - Shafi Ullah
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande de Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil; (A.R.-D.); (S.U.); (L.F.P.)
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan;
| | - Luís Fernando Parizi
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande de Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil; (A.R.-D.); (S.U.); (L.F.P.)
| | - Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan;
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz Junior
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande de Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil; (A.R.-D.); (S.U.); (L.F.P.)
- Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande de Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9090, Porto Alegre 91540-000, RS, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro 21941-853, RJ, Brazil
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Abbas MN, Chlastáková A, Jmel MA, Iliaki-Giannakoudaki E, Chmelař J, Kotsyfakis M. Serpins in Tick Physiology and Tick-Host Interaction. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:892770. [PMID: 35711658 PMCID: PMC9195624 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.892770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick saliva has been extensively studied in the context of tick-host interactions because it is involved in host homeostasis modulation and microbial pathogen transmission to the host. Accumulated knowledge about the tick saliva composition at the molecular level has revealed that serine protease inhibitors play a key role in the tick-host interaction. Serpins are one highly expressed group of protease inhibitors in tick salivary glands, their expression can be induced during tick blood-feeding, and they have many biological functions at the tick-host interface. Indeed, tick serpins have an important role in inhibiting host hemostatic processes and in the modulation of the innate and adaptive immune responses of their vertebrate hosts. Tick serpins have also been studied as potential candidates for therapeutic use and vaccine development. In this review, we critically summarize the current state of knowledge about the biological role of tick serpins in shaping tick-host interactions with emphasis on the mechanisms by which they modulate host immunity. Their potential use in drug and vaccine development is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Nadeem Abbas
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Adéla Chlastáková
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czechia
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Ticks, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Mohamed Amine Jmel
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | | | - Jindřich Chmelař
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Jindřich Chmelař, ; Michail Kotsyfakis,
| | - Michail Kotsyfakis
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Jindřich Chmelař, ; Michail Kotsyfakis,
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Abstract
Introduction: Blood coagulation factor XII (FXII) is an emerging and potentially safe drug target, which dysregulation is associated with thrombosis, hereditary angioedema, and (neuro)inflammation. At the same time, FXII-deficiency is practically asymptomatic. Industrial and academic institutions have developed a number of potential therapeutic agents targeting either FXII zymogen or its active form FXIIa for the treatment of thrombotic and inflammatory conditions associated with the activity of this enzyme.Areas covered: A short overview of the FXII(a) structure and function, underlining its suitability as a drug target, is given. The article reviews patents reported over the last three decades on FXII(a)-targeting therapeutic agents. These agents include small molecules, proteins, peptides, oligonucleotides, siRNAs, and monoclonal antibodies.Expert opinion: The performed analysis of patents revealed that many FXII(a) inhibitors are in the early preclinical stage, while several already showed efficacy in vivo animal models of thrombosis, sepsis, hereditary angioedema, and multiple sclerosis. Two anti-FXIIa agents namely tick protein Ir-CPI and monoclonal antibody CSL312 are currently in human clinical trials. The results of these trials and further studies of FXII(a) pathophysiological functions will encourage the development of new FXII(a) inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitrii V Kalinin
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Factor XII/XIIa inhibitors: Their discovery, development, and potential indications. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 208:112753. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Mans BJ. Quantitative Visions of Reality at the Tick-Host Interface: Biochemistry, Genomics, Proteomics, and Transcriptomics as Measures of Complete Inventories of the Tick Sialoverse. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:574405. [PMID: 33042874 PMCID: PMC7517725 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.574405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Species have definitive genomes. Even so, the transcriptional and translational products of the genome are dynamic and subject to change over time. This is especially true for the proteins secreted by ticks at the tick-host feeding interface that represent a complex system known as the sialoverse. The sialoverse represent all of the proteins derived from tick salivary glands for all tick species that may be involved in tick-host interaction and the modulation of the host's defense mechanisms. The current study contemplates the advances made over time to understand and describe the complexity present in the sialoverse. Technological advances at given periods in time allowed detection of functions, genes, and proteins enabling a deeper insight into the complexity of the sialoverse and a concomitant expansion in complexity with as yet, no end in sight. The importance of systematic classification of the sialoverse is highlighted with the realization that our coverage of transcriptome and proteome space remains incomplete, but that complete descriptions may be possible in the future. Even so, analysis and integration of the sialoverse into a comprehensive understanding of tick-host interactions may require further technological advances given the high level of expected complexity that remains to be uncovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben J Mans
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
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Catalogue of stage-specific transcripts in Ixodes ricinus and their potential functions during the tick life-cycle. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:311. [PMID: 32546252 PMCID: PMC7296661 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04173-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The castor bean tick Ixodes ricinus is an important vector of several clinically important diseases, whose prevalence increases with accelerating global climate changes. Characterization of a tick life-cycle is thus of great importance. However, researchers mainly focus on specific organs of fed life stages, while early development of this tick species is largely neglected. Methods In an attempt to better understand the life-cycle of this widespread arthropod parasite, we sequenced the transcriptomes of four life stages (egg, larva, nymph and adult female), including unfed and partially blood-fed individuals. To enable a more reliable identification of transcripts and their comparison in all five transcriptome libraries, we validated an improved-fit set of five I. ricinus-specific reference genes for internal standard normalization of our transcriptomes. Then, we mapped biological functions to transcripts identified in different life stages (clusters) to elucidate life stage-specific processes. Finally, we drew conclusions from the functional enrichment of these clusters specifically assigned to each transcriptome, also in the context of recently published transcriptomic studies in ticks. Results We found that reproduction-related transcripts are present in both fed nymphs and fed females, underlining the poorly documented importance of ovaries as moulting regulators in ticks. Additionally, we identified transposase transcripts in tick eggs suggesting elevated transposition during embryogenesis, co-activated with factors driving developmental regulation of gene expression. Our findings also highlight the importance of the regulation of energetic metabolism in tick eggs during embryonic development and glutamate metabolism in nymphs. Conclusions Our study presents novel insights into stage-specific transcriptomes of I. ricinus and extends the current knowledge of this medically important pathogen, especially in the early phases of its development.![]()
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Roudnický P, Vorel J, Ilgová J, Benovics M, Norek A, Jedličková L, Mikeš L, Potěšil D, Zdráhal Z, Dvořák J, Gelnar M, Kašný M. Identification and partial characterization of a novel serpin from Eudiplozoon nipponicum (Monogenea, Polyopisthocotylea). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 25:61. [PMID: 30516130 PMCID: PMC6280883 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2018062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background: Serpins are a superfamily of serine peptidase inhibitors that participate in the regulation of many physiological and cell peptidase-mediated processes in all organisms (e.g. in blood clotting, complement activation, fibrinolysis, inflammation, and programmed cell death). It was postulated that in the blood-feeding members of the monogenean family Diplozoidae, serpins could play an important role in the prevention of thrombus formation, activation of complement, inflammation in the host, and/or in the endogenous regulation of protein degradation. Results: In silico analysis showed that the DNA and primary protein structures of serpin from Eudiplozoon nipponicum (EnSerp1) are similar to other members of the serpin superfamily. The inhibitory potential of EnSerp1 on four physiologically-relevant serine peptidases (trypsin, factor Xa, kallikrein, and plasmin) was demonstrated and its presence in the worm’s excretory-secretory products (ESPs) was confirmed. Conclusion: EnSerp1 influences the activity of peptidases that play a role in blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, and complement activation. This inhibitory potential, together with the serpin’s presence in ESPs, suggests that it is likely involved in host-parasite interactions and could be one of the molecules involved in the control of feeding and prevention of inflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Roudnický
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Vorel
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Ilgová
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Benovics
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Norek
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Jedličková
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 12844 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Libor Mikeš
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 12844 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - David Potěšil
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zbyněk Zdráhal
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic - National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Dvořák
- School of Biological Sciences, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, United Kingdom - Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Kamýcká 129, 16521 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Gelnar
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kašný
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic - Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 12844 Prague 2, Czech Republic
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8
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Breijo M, Esteves E, Bizzarro B, Lara PG, Assis JB, Rocha S, Pastro L, Fernández C, Meikle A, Sá-Nunes A. Hematobin is a novel immunomodulatory protein from the saliva of the horn fly Haematobia irritans that inhibits the inflammatory response in murine macrophages. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:435. [PMID: 30053916 PMCID: PMC6064106 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3017-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The horn fly Haematobia irritans is a blood-sucking ectoparasite responsible for substantial economic loss of livestock. Like other hematophagous arthropods species, the successful blood-feeding of H. irritans is highly dependent on the modulation of the host’s hemostasis and immune system. Here, we evaluated the biological activity of hematobin (HTB), a protein recently identified in the H. irritans saliva, on macrophage biology. The goal was to understand the putative interactions between the components of H. irritans saliva and the early host immune responses. Results Thioglycolate-elicited peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c mice were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in the presence or absence of recombinant HTB. The presence of the salivary protein in the cultures inhibited nitric oxide production and decreased the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression induced by LPS plus IFN-γ. The tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-12p40 (IL-12p40) levels were also reduced in the macrophages pre-incubated with HTB; these findings correlated to the decreased NF-κB expression. The biological activities described here were not associated with changes in annexin V binding to macrophages suggesting that HTB does not induce cell death. In addition, the activity of HTB seems to be specific to macrophages because no changes were observed in lymphocyte proliferation or cytokine production. Conclusions We describe here the first bioactive salivary protein of H. irritans. We characterized its ability to modulate macrophage inflammatory response, and the results can help explain how horn flies modulate the host immune system to feed on blood. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-3017-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Breijo
- Unidad de Reactivos y Biomodelos de Experimentación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Gral. Flores, 2125, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Eliane Esteves
- Department of Immunology, Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Bruna Bizzarro
- Department of Immunology, Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Priscila G Lara
- Department of Immunology, Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Josiane B Assis
- Department of Immunology, Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Sergio Rocha
- Unidad de Reactivos y Biomodelos de Experimentación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Gral. Flores, 2125, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lucía Pastro
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Moleculares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá, 4225, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Cecilia Fernández
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Av. Alfredo Navarro, 3051, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ana Meikle
- Laboratorio de Técnicas Nucleares, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Lasplaces, 1550, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Anderson Sá-Nunes
- Department of Immunology, Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil. .,National Institute of Science and Technology in Molecular Entomology, National Council of Scientific and Technological Development (INCT-EM/CNPq), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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Chmelař J, Kotál J, Langhansová H, Kotsyfakis M. Protease Inhibitors in Tick Saliva: The Role of Serpins and Cystatins in Tick-host-Pathogen Interaction. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:216. [PMID: 28611951 PMCID: PMC5447049 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The publication of the first tick sialome (salivary gland transcriptome) heralded a new era of research of tick protease inhibitors, which represent important constituents of the proteins secreted via tick saliva into the host. Three major groups of protease inhibitors are secreted into saliva: Kunitz inhibitors, serpins, and cystatins. Kunitz inhibitors are anti-hemostatic agents and tens of proteins with one or more Kunitz domains are known to block host coagulation and/or platelet aggregation. Serpins and cystatins are also anti-hemostatic effectors, but intriguingly, from the translational perspective, also act as pluripotent modulators of the host immune system. Here we focus especially on this latter aspect of protease inhibition by ticks and describe the current knowledge and data on secreted salivary serpins and cystatins and their role in tick-host-pathogen interaction triad. We also discuss the potential therapeutic use of tick protease inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jindřich Chmelař
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České BudějoviceČeské Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Jan Kotál
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České BudějoviceČeské Budějovice, Czechia.,Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center, Czech Academy of SciencesČeské Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Helena Langhansová
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České BudějoviceČeské Budějovice, Czechia.,Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center, Czech Academy of SciencesČeské Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Michail Kotsyfakis
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center, Czech Academy of SciencesČeské Budějovice, Czechia
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Blisnick AA, Foulon T, Bonnet SI. Serine Protease Inhibitors in Ticks: An Overview of Their Role in Tick Biology and Tick-Borne Pathogen Transmission. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:199. [PMID: 28589099 PMCID: PMC5438962 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
New tick and tick-borne pathogen control approaches that are both environmentally sustainable and which provide broad protection are urgently needed. Their development, however, will rely on a greater understanding of tick biology, tick-pathogen, and tick-host interactions. The recent advances in new generation technologies to study genomes, transcriptomes, and proteomes has resulted in a plethora of tick biomacromolecular studies. Among these, many enzyme inhibitors have been described, notably serine protease inhibitors (SPIs), whose importance in various tick biological processes is only just beginning to be fully appreciated. Among the multiple active substances secreted during tick feeding, SPIs have been shown to be directly involved in regulation of inflammation, blood clotting, wound healing, vasoconstriction and the modulation of host defense mechanisms. In light of these activities, several SPIs were examined and were experimentally confirmed to facilitate tick pathogen transmission. In addition, to prevent coagulation of the ingested blood meal within the tick alimentary canal, SPIs are also involved in blood digestion and nutrient extraction from the meal. The presence of SPIs in tick hemocytes and their involvement in tick innate immune defenses have also been demonstrated, as well as their implication in hemolymph coagulation and egg development. Considering the involvement of SPIs in multiple crucial aspects of tick-host-pathogen interactions, as well as in various aspects of the tick parasitic lifestyle, these molecules represent highly suitable and attractive targets for the development of effective tick control strategies. Here we review the current knowledge regarding this class of inhibitors in tick biology and tick-borne pathogen transmission, and their potential as targets for future tick control trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thierry Foulon
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Biogenèse des Signaux Peptidiques, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06Paris, France
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Tirloni L, Kim TK, Coutinho ML, Ali A, Seixas A, Termignoni C, Mulenga A, da Silva Vaz I. The putative role of Rhipicephalus microplus salivary serpins in the tick-host relationship. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 71:12-28. [PMID: 26844868 PMCID: PMC4808628 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2016.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Revised: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation and hemostasis are part of the host's first line of defense to tick feeding. These systems are in part serine protease mediated and are tightly controlled by their endogenous inhibitors, in the serpin superfamily (serine protease inhibitors). From this perspective ticks are thought to use serpins to evade host defenses during feeding. The cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus encodes at least 24 serpins, of which RmS-3, RmS-6, and RmS-17 were previously identified in saliva of this tick. In this study, we screened inhibitor functions of these three saliva serpins against a panel of 16 proteases across the mammalian defense pathway. Our data confirm that Pichia pastoris-expressed rRmS-3, rRmS-6, and rRmS-17 are likely inhibitors of pro-inflammatory and pro-coagulant proteases. We show that rRmS-3 inhibited chymotrypsin and cathepsin G with stoichiometry of inhibition (SI) indices of 1.8 and 2.0, and pancreatic elastase with SI higher than 10. Likewise, rRmS-6 inhibited trypsin with SI of 2.6, chymotrypsin, factor Xa, factor XIa, and plasmin with SI higher than 10, while rRmS-17 inhibited trypsin, cathepsin G, chymotrypsin, plasmin, and factor XIa with SI of 1.6, 2.6, 2.7, 3.4, and 9.0, respectively. Additionally, we observed the formation of irreversible complexes between rRmS-3 and chymotrypsin, rRmS-6/rRmS-17 and trypsin, and rRmS-3/rRmS-17 and cathepsin G, which is consistent with typical mechanism of inhibitory serpins. In blood clotting assays, rRmS-17 delayed plasma clotting by 60 s in recalcification time assay, while rRmS-3 and rRmS-6 did not have any effect. Consistent with inhibitor function profiling data, 2.0 μM rRmS-3 and rRmS-17 inhibited cathepsin G-activated platelet aggregation in a dose-responsive manner by up to 96% and 95% respectively. Of significant interest, polyclonal antibodies blocked inhibitory functions of the three serpins. Also notable, antibodies to Amblyomma americanum, Ixodes scapularis, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick saliva proteins cross-reacted with the three R. microplus saliva serpins, suggesting the potential of these proteins as candidates for universal anti-tick vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Tirloni
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Tae Kwon Kim
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Mariana Loner Coutinho
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Abid Ali
- Institute of Biotechnology Genetic Engineering, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Adriana Seixas
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Departamento de Farmacociências, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Carlos Termignoni
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Albert Mulenga
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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12
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Chmelař J, Kotál J, Karim S, Kopacek P, Francischetti IMB, Pedra JHF, Kotsyfakis M. Sialomes and Mialomes: A Systems-Biology View of Tick Tissues and Tick-Host Interactions. Trends Parasitol 2015; 32:242-254. [PMID: 26520005 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2015.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Revised: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Tick saliva facilitates tick feeding and infection of the host. Gene expression analysis of tick salivary glands and other tissues involved in host-pathogen interactions has revealed a wide range of bioactive tick proteins. Transcriptomic analysis has been a milestone in the field and has recently been enhanced by next-generation sequencing (NGS). Furthermore, the application of quantitative proteomics to ticks with unknown genomes has provided deeper insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying tick hematophagy, pathogen transmission, and tick-host-pathogen interactions. We review current knowledge on the transcriptomics and proteomics of tick tissues from a systems-biology perspective and discuss future challenges in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jindřich Chmelař
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Budweis, Czech Republic; Department of Clinical Pathobiochemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jan Kotál
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Budweis, Czech Republic; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center, Czech Academy of Sciences, Budweis, Czech Republic
| | - Shahid Karim
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Petr Kopacek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center, Czech Academy of Sciences, Budweis, Czech Republic
| | - Ivo M B Francischetti
- Section of Vector Biology, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Joao H F Pedra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michail Kotsyfakis
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center, Czech Academy of Sciences, Budweis, Czech Republic.
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Toyomane K, Konnai S, Niwa A, Githaka N, Isezaki M, Yamada S, Ito T, Takano A, Ando S, Kawabata H, Murata S, Ohashi K. Identification and the preliminary in vitro characterization of IRIS homologue from salivary glands of Ixodes persulcatus Schulze. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 7:119-125. [PMID: 26460162 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2014] [Revised: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Ixodes ricinus immunosuppressor (Iris) is a tick salivary gland protein derived from I. ricinus. In this study, Iris homolog was identified in the salivary glands of Ixodes persulcatus, which is the specific vector of the Lyme disease agent in Japan. The homolog was named Ipis-1. To investigate the function of Ipis-1, we prepared a recombinant Ipis-1 expressed in COS-7 cells as a rabbit IgG Fc-fused protein (Ipis-1-Ig). Cell proliferation assay and IFN-γ ELISA showed that Ipis-1-Ig inhibits the proliferation and IFN-γ production of bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Notably, Ipis-1-Ig inhibited the cell proliferation and production of IFN-γ in bovine PBMCs even when CD14(+) cells were depleted, suggesting that Ipis could directly interact with T cells and inhibit their functions. In conclusion, Ipis could contribute to the establishment of environments suitable for tick blood feeding and pathogen transmission by suppressing the function of immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kochi Toyomane
- Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Satoru Konnai
- Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Ayano Niwa
- Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Naftaly Githaka
- Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Isezaki
- Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Shinji Yamada
- Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takuya Ito
- Hokkaido Institute of Public Health, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ai Takano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Shuji Ando
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kawabata
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shiro Murata
- Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Ohashi
- Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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14
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Tirloni L, Islam MS, Kim TK, Diedrich JK, Yates JR, Pinto AFM, Mulenga A, You MJ, Da Silva Vaz I. Saliva from nymph and adult females of Haemaphysalis longicornis: a proteomic study. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:338. [PMID: 26104117 PMCID: PMC4484640 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0918-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Haemaphysalis longicornis is a major vector of Theileria spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia spp. and Coxiella burnetti in East Asian countries. All life stages of ixodid ticks have a destructive pool-feeding style in which they create a pool-feeding site by lacerating host tissue and secreting a variety of biologically active compounds that allows the tick to evade host responses, enabling the uptake of a blood meal. The identification and functional characterization of tick saliva proteins can be useful to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in tick development and to conceive new anti-tick control methods. METHODS H. longicornis tick saliva was collected from fully engorged nymphs and fully engorged adults induced by dopamine or pilocarpine, respectively. Saliva was digested with trypsin for LC-MS/MS sequencing and peptides were searched against tick and rabbit sequences. RESULTS A total of 275 proteins were identified, of which 135 were tick and 100 were rabbit proteins. Of the tick proteins, 30 proteins were identified exclusively in fully engorged nymph saliva, 74 in fully engorged adult females, and 31 were detected in both stages. The identified tick proteins include heme/iron metabolism-related proteins, oxidation/detoxification proteins, enzymes, proteinase inhibitors, tick-specific protein families, and cytoskeletal proteins. Proteins involved in signal transduction, transport and metabolism of carbohydrate, energy, nucleotide, amino acids and lipids were also detected. Of the rabbit proteins, 13 were present in nymph saliva, 48 in adult saliva, and 30 were present in both. The host proteins include immunoglobulins, complement system proteins, antimicrobial proteins, serum albumin, peroxiredoxin, serotransferrin, apolipoprotein, hemopexin, proteinase inhibitors, and hemoglobin/red blood cells-related products. CONCLUSIONS This study allows the identification of H. longicornis saliva proteins. In spontaneously detached tick saliva various proteins were identified, although results obtained with saliva of fully engorged ticks need to be carefully interpreted. However, it is interesting to note that proteins identified in this study were also described in other tick saliva proteomes using partially engorged tick saliva, including hemelipoprotein, proteases, protease inhibitors, proteins related to structural functions, transporter activity, metabolic processes, and others. In conclusion, these data can provide a deeper understanding to the biology of H. longicornis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Tirloni
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Mohammad Saiful Islam
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bio-safety Research Centre, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Science, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh.
| | - Tae Kwon Kim
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
| | - Jolene K Diedrich
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - John R Yates
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Antônio F M Pinto
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Centro de Pesquisas em Biologia Molecular e Funcional, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Tuberculose (INCT-TB), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Albert Mulenga
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
| | - Myung-Jo You
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bio-safety Research Centre, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea.
| | - Itabajara Da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
- Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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15
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Conserved Amblyomma americanum tick Serpin19, an inhibitor of blood clotting factors Xa and XIa, trypsin and plasmin, has anti-haemostatic functions. Int J Parasitol 2015; 45:613-27. [PMID: 25957161 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2015.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Revised: 03/21/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tick saliva serine protease inhibitors (serpins) facilitate tick blood meal feeding through inhibition of protease mediators of host defense pathways. We previously identified a highly conserved Amblyomma americanum serpin 19 that is characterised by its reactive center loop being 100% conserved in ixodid ticks. In this study, biochemical characterisation reveals that the ubiquitously transcribed A. americanum serpin 19 is an anti-coagulant protein, inhibiting the activity of five of the eight serine protease blood clotting factors. Pichia pastoris-expressed recombinant (r) A. americanum serpin 19 inhibits the enzyme activity of trypsin, plasmin and blood clotting factors (f) Xa and XIa, with stoichiometry of inhibition estimated at 5.1, 9.4, 23.8 and 28, respectively. Similar to typical inhibitory serpins, recombinant A. americanum serpin 19 forms irreversible complexes with trypsin, fXa and fXIa. At a higher molar excess of recombinant A. americanum serpin 19, fXIIa is inhibited by 82.5%, and thrombin (fIIa), fIXa, chymotrypsin and tryptase are inhibited moderately by 14-29%. In anti-hemostatic functional assays, recombinant A. americanum serpin 19 inhibits thrombin but not ADP and cathepsin G activated platelet aggregation, delays clotting in recalcification and thrombin time assays by up to 250s, and up to 40s in the activated partial thromboplastin time assay. Given A. americanum serpin 19 high cross-tick species conservation, and specific reactivity of recombinant A. americanum serpin 19 with antibodies to A. americanum tick saliva proteins, we conclude that recombinant A. americanum serpin 19 is a potential candidate for development of a universal tick vaccine.
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Kim YH, Slam MS, You MJ. Proteomic screening of antigenic proteins from the hard tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae). THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2015; 53:85-93. [PMID: 25748713 PMCID: PMC4384799 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2015.53.1.85] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2014] [Revised: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 12/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Proteomic tools allow large-scale, high-throughput analyses for the detection, identification, and functional investigation of proteome. For detection of antigens from Haemaphysalis longicornis, 1-dimensional electrophoresis (1-DE) quantitative immunoblotting technique combined with 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) immunoblotting was used for whole body proteins from unfed and partially fed female ticks. Reactivity bands and 2-DE immunoblotting were performed following 2-DE electrophoresis to identify protein spots. The proteome of the partially fed female had a larger number of lower molecular weight proteins than that of the unfed female tick. The total number of detected spots was 818 for unfed and 670 for partially fed female ticks. The 2-DE immunoblotting identified 10 antigenic spots from unfed females and 8 antigenic spots from partially fed females. Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) of relevant spots identified calreticulin, putative secreted WC salivary protein, and a conserved hypothetical protein from the National Center for Biotechnology Information and Swiss Prot protein sequence databases. These findings indicate that most of the whole body components of these ticks are non-immunogenic. The data reported here will provide guidance in the identification of antigenic proteins to prevent infestation and diseases transmitted by H. longicornis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Ha Kim
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology , College of Veterinary Medicine and Biosafety Research Centre, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea
| | - Mohammad Saiful Slam
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology , College of Veterinary Medicine and Biosafety Research Centre, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea ; Department of Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Science, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh
| | - Myung-Jo You
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology , College of Veterinary Medicine and Biosafety Research Centre, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea
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17
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Rodriguez-Valle M, Xu T, Kurscheid S, Lew-Tabor AE. Rhipicephalus microplus serine protease inhibitor family: annotation, expression and functional characterisation assessment. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:7. [PMID: 25564202 PMCID: PMC4322644 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-014-0605-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Accepted: 12/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus evades the host's haemostatic system through a complex protein array secreted into tick saliva. Serine protease inhibitors (serpins) conform an important component of saliva which are represented by a large protease inhibitor family in Ixodidae. These secreted and non-secreted inhibitors modulate diverse and essential proteases involved in different physiological processes. METHODS The identification of R. microplus serpin sequences was performed through a web-based bioinformatics environment called Yabi. The database search was conducted on BmiGi V1, BmiGi V2.1, five SSH libraries, Australian tick transcriptome libraries and RmiTR V1 using bioinformatics methods. Semi quantitative PCR was carried out using different adult tissues and tick development stages. The cDNA of four identified R. microplus serpins were cloned and expressed in Pichia pastoris in order to determine biological targets of these serpins utilising protease inhibition assays. RESULTS A total of four out of twenty-two serpins identified in our analysis are new R. microplus serpins which were named as RmS-19 to RmS-22. The analyses of DNA and predicted amino acid sequences showed high conservation of the R. microplus serpin sequences. The expression data suggested ubiquitous expression of RmS except for RmS-6 and RmS-14 that were expressed only in nymphs and adult female ovaries, respectively. RmS-19, and -20 were expressed in all tissues samples analysed showing their important role in both parasitic and non-parasitic stages of R. microplus development. RmS-21 was not detected in ovaries and RmS-22 was not identified in ovary and nymph samples but were expressed in the rest of the samples analysed. A total of four expressed recombinant serpins showed protease specific inhibition for Chymotrypsin (RmS-1 and RmS-6), Chymotrypsin / Elastase (RmS-3) and Thrombin (RmS-15). CONCLUSION This study constitutes an important contribution and improvement to the knowledge about the physiologic role of R. microplus serpins during the host-tick interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Rodriguez-Valle
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, Queensland Biosciences Precinct, 306 Carmody Rd, St. Lucia Qld, 4072, Australia.
| | - Tao Xu
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, Queensland Biosciences Precinct, 306 Carmody Rd, St. Lucia Qld, 4072, Australia.
| | | | - Ala E Lew-Tabor
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, Queensland Biosciences Precinct, 306 Carmody Rd, St. Lucia Qld, 4072, Australia. .,Murdoch University, Centre for Comparative Genomics, Perth, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
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18
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Porter L, Radulović Ž, Kim T, Braz GRC, Da Silva Vaz I, Mulenga A. Bioinformatic analyses of male and female Amblyomma americanum tick expressed serine protease inhibitors (serpins). Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2014; 6:16-30. [PMID: 25238688 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2014.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Revised: 08/20/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Serine protease inhibitors (serpins) are a diverse family of proteins that is conserved across taxa. The diversity of Amblyomma americanum serpins (AAS) is far more complex than previously thought as revealed by discovery of 57 and 33 AAS transcripts that are respectively expressed in male and female A. americanum ticks, with 30 found in both. While distinct reproductively, both male and female metastriate ticks, such as A. americanum, require a blood meal. Thus, 30 AAS sequences found in both male and female ticks could play important role(s) in regulating tick feeding and thus represent attractive candidates for anti-tick vaccine development. Of significant interest, 19 AAS sequences expressed in male and female ticks are also part of the 48 AAS sequences expressed in fed female tick salivary glands or midguts; two organs through which the tick interacts with host blood and immune response factors. Considered the most important domain for serpin function, the reactive center loop (RCL) is further characterized by a single 'P1' site amino acid residue, which is central to determining the protease regulated by the serpin. In this study, a diversity of 17 different P1 site amino acid residues were predicted, suggesting that A. americanum serpins potentially regulate a large number of proteolytic pathways. Our data also indicate that some serpins in this study could regulate target protease common to all tick species, in that more than 40% of AAS show 58-97% inter-species amino acid conservation. Of significance, 24% of AAS showed 62-100% inter-species conservation within the functional RCL domain, with 10 RCLs showing ≥90-100% conservation. In vertebrates, serpins with basic residues at the P1 site regulate key host defense pathways, which the tick must evade to feed successfully. Interestingly, we found that AAS sequences with basic or polar uncharged residues at the putative P1 site are more likely to be conserved across tick species. Another notable observation from our data is that AAS sequences found only in female ticks and those found in both males and females, but not those found only in male ticks, were highly conserved in other tick species. While descriptive, this study provides the basis for more in-depth studies exploring the roles of serpins in tick feeding physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Porter
- Texas A & M University AgriLife Research, Department of Entomology, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, United States
| | - Željko Radulović
- Texas A & M University AgriLife Research, Department of Entomology, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, United States
| | - Tae Kim
- Texas A & M University AgriLife Research, Department of Entomology, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, United States
| | - Gloria R C Braz
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Itabajara Da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia and Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Prédio 43421, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil
| | - Albert Mulenga
- Texas A & M University AgriLife Research, Department of Entomology, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, United States.
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19
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Molehin AJ, Gobert GN, Driguez P, McManus DP. Characterisation of a secretory serine protease inhibitor (SjB6) from Schistosoma japonicum. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:330. [PMID: 25023829 PMCID: PMC4223420 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Accepted: 07/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proteins belonging to the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) superfamily play essential physiological roles in many organisms. In pathogens, serpins are thought to have evolved specifically to limit host immune responses by interfering with the host immune-stimulatory signals. Serpins are less well characterised in parasitic helminths, although some are thought to be involved in mechanisms associated with host immune modulation. In this study, we cloned and partially characterised a secretory serpin from Schistosoma japonicum termed SjB6, these findings provide the basis for possible functional roles. METHODS SjB6 gene was identified through database mining of our previously published microarray data, cloned and detailed sequence and structural analysis and comparative modelling carried out using various bioinformatics and proteomics tools. Gene transcriptional profiling was determined by real-time PCR and the expression of native protein determined by immunoblotting. An immunological profile of the recombinant protein produced in insect cells was determined by ELISA. RESULTS SjB6 contains an open reading frame of 1160 base pairs that encodes a protein of 387 amino acid residues. Detailed sequence analysis, comparative modelling and structural-based alignment revealed that SjB6 contains the essential structural motifs and consensus secondary structures typical of inhibitory serpins. The presence of an N-terminal signal sequence indicated that SjB6 is a secretory protein. Real-time data indicated that SjB6 is expressed exclusively in the intra-mammalian stage of the parasite life cycle with its highest expression levels in the egg stage (p < 0.0001). The native protein is approximately 60 kDa in size and recombinant SjB6 (rSjB6) was recognised strongly by sera from rats experimentally infected with S. japonicum. CONCLUSIONS The significantly high expression of SjB6 in schistosome eggs, when compared to other life cycle stages, suggests a possible association with disease pathology, while the strong reactivity of sera from experimentally infected rats against rSjB6 suggests that native SjB6 is released into host tissue and induces an immune response. This study presents a comprehensive demonstration of sequence and structural-based analysis of a secretory serpin from a trematode and suggests SjB6 may be associated with important functional roles in S. japonicum, particularly in parasite modulation of the host microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adebayo J Molehin
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston 4006, Australia.
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20
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Tirloni L, Reck J, Terra RMS, Martins JR, Mulenga A, Sherman NE, Fox JW, Yates JR, Termignoni C, Pinto AFM, da Silva Vaz I. Proteomic analysis of cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus saliva: a comparison between partially and fully engorged females. PLoS One 2014; 9:e94831. [PMID: 24762651 PMCID: PMC3998978 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 03/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is one of the most harmful parasites affecting bovines. Similarly to other hematophagous ectoparasites, R. microplus saliva contains a collection of bioactive compounds that inhibit host defenses against tick feeding activity. Thus, the study of tick salivary components offers opportunities for the development of immunological based tick control methods and medicinal applications. So far, only a few proteins have been identified in cattle tick saliva. The aim of this work was to identify proteins present in R. microplus female tick saliva at different feeding stages. Proteomic analysis of R. microplus saliva allowed identifying peptides corresponding to 187 and 68 tick and bovine proteins, respectively. Our data confirm that (i) R. microplus saliva is complex, and (ii) that there are remarkable differences in saliva composition between partially engorged and fully engorged female ticks. R. microplus saliva is rich mainly in (i) hemelipoproteins and other transporter proteins, (ii) secreted cross-tick species conserved proteins, (iii) lipocalins, (iv) peptidase inhibitors, (v) antimicrobial peptides, (vii) glycine-rich proteins, (viii) housekeeping proteins and (ix) host proteins. This investigation represents the first proteomic study about R. microplus saliva, and reports the most comprehensive Ixodidae tick saliva proteome published to date. Our results improve the understanding of tick salivary modulators of host defense to tick feeding, and provide novel information on the tick-host relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Tirloni
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - José Reck
- Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor, Fundação Estadual de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Eldorado do Sul, RS, Brazil
| | - Renata Maria Soares Terra
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Department of Microbiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
- CAPES, Ministério da Educação do Brasil, Brasília, DF, Brasil
| | - João Ricardo Martins
- Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor, Fundação Estadual de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Eldorado do Sul, RS, Brazil
| | - Albert Mulenga
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Nicholas E. Sherman
- Department of Microbiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Jay W. Fox
- Department of Microbiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - John R. Yates
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Carlos Termignoni
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Antônio F. M. Pinto
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Department of Microbiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
- CAPES, Ministério da Educação do Brasil, Brasília, DF, Brasil
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Ibelli AMG, Kim TK, Hill CC, Lewis LA, Bakshi M, Miller S, Porter L, Mulenga A. A blood meal-induced Ixodes scapularis tick saliva serpin inhibits trypsin and thrombin, and interferes with platelet aggregation and blood clotting. Int J Parasitol 2014; 44:369-79. [PMID: 24583183 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2014.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2013] [Revised: 12/29/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Ixodes scapularis is a medically important tick species that transmits causative agents of important human tick-borne diseases including borreliosis, anaplasmosis and babesiosis. An understanding of how this tick feeds is needed prior to the development of novel methods to protect the human population against tick-borne disease infections. This study characterizes a blood meal-induced I. scapularis (Ixsc) tick saliva serine protease inhibitor (serpin (S)), in-house referred to as IxscS-1E1. The hypothesis that ticks use serpins to evade the host's defense response to tick feeding is based on the assumption that tick serpins inhibit functions of protease mediators of the host's anti-tick defense response. Thus, it is significant that consistent with hallmark characteristics of inhibitory serpins, Pichia pastoris-expressed recombinant IxscS-1E1 (rIxscS-1E1) can trap thrombin and trypsin in SDS- and heat-stable complexes, and reduce the activity of the two proteases in a dose-responsive manner. Additionally, rIxscS-1E1 also inhibited, but did not apparently form detectable complexes with, cathepsin G and factor Xa. Our data also show that rIxscS-1E1 may not inhibit chymotrypsin, kallikrein, chymase, plasmin, elastase and papain even at a much higher rIxscS-1E1 concentration. Native IxscS-1E1 potentially plays a role(s) in facilitating I. scapularis tick evasion of the host's hemostatic defense as revealed by the ability of rIxscS-1E1 to inhibit adenosine diphosphate- and thrombin-activated platelet aggregation, and delay activated partial prothrombin time and thrombin time plasma clotting in a dose-responsive manner. We conclude that native IxscS-1E1 is part of the tick saliva protein complex that mediates its anti-hemostatic, and potentially inflammatory, functions by inhibiting the actions of thrombin, trypsin and other yet unknown trypsin-like proteases at the tick-host interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana M G Ibelli
- Texas A & M University AgriLife Research, Department of Entomology, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Federal University of São Carlos, Graduate Program in Genetics and Evolution, Brazil
| | - Tae K Kim
- Texas A & M University AgriLife Research, Department of Entomology, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Creston C Hill
- Texas A & M University AgriLife Research, Department of Entomology, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Lauren A Lewis
- Texas A & M University AgriLife Research, Department of Entomology, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Mariam Bakshi
- Texas A & M University AgriLife Research, Department of Entomology, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Stephanie Miller
- Texas A & M University AgriLife Research, Department of Entomology, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA; College Station High School, Science Department-Biology, 4002 Victoria Ave, College Station, TX 77845, USA
| | - Lindsay Porter
- Texas A & M University AgriLife Research, Department of Entomology, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Albert Mulenga
- Texas A & M University AgriLife Research, Department of Entomology, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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Tirloni L, Seixas A, Mulenga A, Vaz IDS, Termignoni C. A family of serine protease inhibitors (serpins) in the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Exp Parasitol 2013; 137:25-34. [PMID: 24333790 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2013.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2013] [Revised: 11/29/2013] [Accepted: 12/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Proteins belonging to the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) superfamily play essential roles in many organisms. In arthropods these proteins are involved in innate immune system, morphogenesis and development. In mammals serpins regulate pathways that are essential to life such as blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, inflammation and complement activation, some of which are considered the host's first line of defense to hematophagous and/or blood dueling parasites. Thus, it is hypothesized that ticks use serpins to evade host defense, facilitating parasitism. This study describes eighteen full-length cDNA sequences encoding serpins identified in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, here named RmS 1-18 (R. microplus serpin). Spatial and temporal transcriptional profiling demonstrated that R. microplus serpins are transcribed during feeding, suggesting their participation in tick physiology regulation. We speculate that the majority of R. microplus serpins are conserved in other ticks, as indicated by phylogeny analysis. Over half of the 18 RmSs are putatively functional in the extracellular environment, as indicated by putative signal peptides on 11 of 18 serpins. Comparative modeling and structural-based alignment revealed that R. microplus serpins in this study retain the consensus secondary of typical serpins. This descriptive study enlarges the knowledge on the molecular biology of R. microplus, an important tick species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Tirloni
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves 9500, Prédio 43421, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil
| | - Adriana Seixas
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves 9500, Prédio 43421, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Rua Sarmento Leite 245, Porto Alegre 90050-170, RS, Brazil
| | - Albert Mulenga
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, Minnie Heep Center, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves 9500, Prédio 43421, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil; Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves 9090, Porto Alegre 91540-000, RS, Brazil.
| | - Carlos Termignoni
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves 9500, Prédio 43421, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil; Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2600, Porto Alegre 90035-000, RS, Brazil
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Brake DK, Pérez de León AA. Immunoregulation of bovine macrophages by factors in the salivary glands of Rhipicephalus microplus. Parasit Vectors 2012; 5:38. [PMID: 22333193 PMCID: PMC3320552 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-5-38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2011] [Accepted: 02/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Alternative strategies are required to control the southern cattle tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, due to evolving resistance to commercially available acaricides. This invasive ectoparasite is a vector of economically important diseases of cattle such as bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis. An understanding of the biological intricacies underlying vector-host-pathogen interactions is required to innovate sustainable tick management strategies that can ultimately mitigate the impact of animal and zoonotic tick-borne diseases. Tick saliva contains molecules evolved to impair host innate and adaptive immune responses, which facilitates blood feeding and pathogen transmission. Antigen presenting cells are central to the development of robust T cell responses including Th1 and Th2 determination. In this study we examined changes in co-stimulatory molecule expression and cytokine response of bovine macrophages exposed to salivary gland extracts (SGE) obtained from 2-3 day fed, pathogen-free adult R. microplus. Methods Peripheral blood-derived macrophages were treated for 1 hr with 1, 5, or 10 μg/mL of SGE followed by 1, 6, 24 hr of 1 μg/mL of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Real-time PCR and cytokine ELISA were used to measure changes in co-stimulatory molecule expression and cytokine response. Results Changes were observed in co-stimulatory molecule expression of bovine macrophages in response to R. microplus SGE exposure. After 6 hrs, CD86, but not CD80, was preferentially up-regulated on bovine macrophages when treated with 1 μg/ml SGE and then LPS, but not SGE alone. At 24 hrs CD80, CD86, and CD69 expression was increased with LPS, but was inhibited by the addition of SGE. SGE also inhibited LPS induced upregulation of TNFα, IFNγ and IL-12 cytokines, but did not alter IL-4 or CD40 mRNA expression. Conclusions Molecules from the salivary glands of adult R. microplus showed bimodal concentration-, and time-dependent effects on differential up-regulation of CD86 in bovine macrophages activated by the TLR4-ligand, LPS. Up regulation of proinflammatory cytokines and IL-12, a Th1 promoting cytokine, were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. The co-stimulatory molecules CD80, as well as the cell activation marker, CD69, were also suppressed in macrophages exposed to SGE. Continued investigation of the immunomodulatory factors will provide the knowledge base to research and develop therapeutic or prophylactic interventions targeting R. microplus-cattle interactions at the blood-feeding interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danett K Brake
- USDA-ARS Knipling, Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, Kerrville, TX 78028, USA.
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Brake DK, Wikel SK, Tidwell JP, Pérez de León AA. Rhipicephalus microplus salivary gland molecules induce differential CD86 expression in murine macrophages. Parasit Vectors 2010; 3:103. [PMID: 21054882 PMCID: PMC2993695 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-3-103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2010] [Accepted: 11/05/2010] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tick parasitism is a major impediment for cattle production in many parts of the world. The southern cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, is an obligate hematophagous parasite of domestic and wild animals that serves as vector of infectious agents lethal to cattle. Tick saliva contains molecules evolved to modulate host innate and adaptive immune responses which facilitates blood feeding and pathogen transmission. Tick feeding promotes CD4 T cell polarization to a Th2 profile usually accompanied by down-regulation of Th1 cytokines through as yet undefined mechanisms. Co-stimulatory molecules on antigen presenting cells are central to development of T cell responses including Th1 and Th2 responses. Tick induced changes to antigen presenting cell signal transduction pathways are largely unknown. Here we document the ability of R. microplus salivary gland extracts (SGE) to effect differential CD86 expression. Results We examined changes in co-stimulatory molecule expression in murine RAW 264.7 cells in response to R. microplus SGE exposure in the presence of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) ligand, LPS. After 24 hrs, CD86, but not CD80, was preferentially up-regulated on mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells when treated with SGE and then LPS, but not SGE alone. CD80 and CD40 expression was increased with LPS, but the addition of SGE did not alter expression. Higher concentrations of SGE were less effective at increasing CD86 RNA expression. The addition of mitogen or extracellular kinase (MEK) inhibitor, PD98059, significantly reduced the ability for SGE to induce CD86 expression, indicating activation of MEK is necessary for SGE induced up-regulation. Conclusions Molecules in SGE of R. microplus have a concentration-dependent effect on differential up-regulation of CD86 in a macrophage cell line activated by the TLR4 ligand, LPS. This CD86 up-regulation is at least partially dependent on the ERK1/2 pathway and may serve to promote Th2 polarization of the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danett K Brake
- USDA-ARS Knipling-Bushland U,S, Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, 2700 Fredericksberg Rd, Kerrville, TX 78028, USA.
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Mulenga A, Khumthong R. Silencing of three Amblyomma americanum (L.) insulin-like growth factor binding protein-related proteins prevents ticks from feeding to repletion. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 213:1153-61. [PMID: 20228352 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.035204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding proteins (IGFBP) family is the regulatory arm of the IGF signaling system that control mitogenic and anabolic actions of IGF peptide hormones. This study describes cloning and biological characterization of three Amblyomma americanum (L.) (Aam) proteins that show amino-terminal sequence and secondary structure similarity to the IGFBP superfamily. The three molecules here provisionally identified as AamIGFBP-rP1 and short (S) and long (L) AamIGFBP-rP6 are expressed in multiple tick organs and are responsive to tick feeding activity with the former being upregulated and the latter being downregulated. We show that they regulate tick physiological functions that may be related to A. americanum tick feeding success as revealed by RNAi-mediated dual silencing of AamIGFBP-rP6S and AamIGFBP-rP6L or AamIGFBP-rP1 alone, which caused a reduction in blood meal size compared to the controls. Additionally, in the case of AamIGFBP-rP1 silencing, 47% of ticks died while attempting to feed and those that did survive and spontaneously detached from the host failed to lay eggs. Although AamIGFBP-rP6S and AamIGFBP-rP6L show overall identities of 49% and 59%, respectively, to Rhipicephalus microplus C protein, the identity level jumps to ~84% when the comparison is restricted to first 70 amino acids of the mature protein. Similarly, the AamIGFBP-rP1 mature protein is ~72%, 87%, 88% and 92% identical to that of Ixodes scapularis S, R. microplus, R. appendiculatus N and A. variegatum F, respectively. The observed across-tick-species conservation suggests that the three molecules (AamIGFBP-rP1, AamIGFBP-rP6S and AamIGFBP-rP6L) represent target for development of vaccines to protect animals against multiple tick species. The data are discussed with reference to advances in tick molecular biology and the potential of the three proteins as targets for immunizing animals against tick feeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Mulenga
- Texas A & M University, AgriLife Research, Department of Entomology, College Station, Texas 77843, USA.
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Der-p2 ( Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) allergen-like protein from the hard tick Ixodes ricinus - a novel member of ML (MD-2-related lipid-recognition) domain protein family. Parasitology 2010; 137:1139-49. [PMID: 20388233 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182009992083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Expression of the gene encoding Der-p2 allergen-like protein in the castor bean tick Ixodes ricinus is induced by blood intake. Tick Der-p2 allergen-like protein belongs to a diverse family of ML proteins that includes major allergens of house dust mites, human MD-2 or similar proteins from Drosophila melanogaster. In ticks, genes encoding proteins belonging to the ML protein family were identified, but their protein products have not been characterized yet. METHODS A gene encoding tick Der-p2 allergen-like protein was amplified from cDNA of engorged I. ricinus female using the gene-specific primers designed on a basis of partial sequences of related allergen-like genes. The tissue and state specific patterns of expression of the gene were analysed. The IgE binding activity of the produced recombinant protein was studied by use of ELISA. RESULTS Analysis of the expression pattern showed that the gene encoding the tick Der-p2 allergen-like protein is strongly induced by the bloodmeal in gut and haemolymph throughout all tick developmental stages. Der-p2 allergen-like protein possesses a putative lipid-binding site, according to the comparisons with the related proteins. The ability of tick Der-p2 allergen-like protein to bind immunoglobulin E (IgE) was revealed. DISCUSSION The presence of a putative lipid-binding domain in Der-p2 allergen-like protein and its ability to interact with IgE might indicate the involvement of the protein in the tick's immune response.
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Decrem Y, Rath G, Blasioli V, Cauchie P, Robert S, Beaufays J, Frère JM, Feron O, Dogné JM, Dessy C, Vanhamme L, Godfroid E. Ir-CPI, a coagulation contact phase inhibitor from the tick Ixodes ricinus, inhibits thrombus formation without impairing hemostasis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 206:2381-95. [PMID: 19808248 PMCID: PMC2768864 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20091007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Blood coagulation starts immediately after damage to the vascular endothelium. This system is essential for minimizing blood loss from an injured blood vessel but also contributes to vascular thrombosis. Although it has long been thought that the intrinsic coagulation pathway is not important for clotting in vivo, recent data obtained with genetically altered mice indicate that contact phase proteins seem to be essential for thrombus formation. We show that recombinant Ixodes ricinus contact phase inhibitor (Ir-CPI), a Kunitz-type protein expressed by the salivary glands of the tick Ixodes ricinus, specifically interacts with activated human contact phase factors (FXIIa, FXIa, and kallikrein) and prolongs the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) in vitro. The effects of Ir-CPI were also examined in vivo using both venous and arterial thrombosis models. Intravenous administration of Ir-CPI in rats and mice caused a dose-dependent reduction in venous thrombus formation and revealed a defect in the formation of arterial occlusive thrombi. Moreover, mice injected with Ir-CPI are protected against collagen- and epinephrine-induced thromboembolism. Remarkably, the effective antithrombotic dose of Ir-CPI did not promote bleeding or impair blood coagulation parameters. To conclude, our results show that a contact phase inhibitor is an effective and safe antithrombotic agent in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves Decrem
- Service de Biologie Moléculaire des Ectoparasites, Institut de Biologie et Médecine Moléculaires, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies B-6041, Belgium
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Yamada S, Konnai S, Imamura S, Ito T, Onuma M, Ohashi K. Cloning and characterization of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus voraxinα and its effect as anti-tick vaccine. Vaccine 2009; 27:5989-97. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.07.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2009] [Revised: 07/10/2009] [Accepted: 07/22/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Mulenga A, Khumthong R, Chalaire KC. Ixodes scapularis tick serine proteinase inhibitor (serpin) gene family; annotation and transcriptional analysis. BMC Genomics 2009; 10:217. [PMID: 19435496 PMCID: PMC2689274 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-10-217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2008] [Accepted: 05/12/2009] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serine proteinase inhibitors (Serpins) are a large superfamily of structurally related, but functionally diverse proteins that control essential proteolytic pathways in most branches of life. Given their importance in the biology of many organisms, the concept that ticks might utilize serpins to evade host defenses and immunizing against or disrupting their functions as targets for tick control is an appealing option. RESULTS A sequence homology search strategy has allowed us to identify at least 45 tick serpin genes in the Ixodes scapularis genome that are structurally segregated into 32 intronless and 13 intron-containing genes. Nine of the intron-containing serpins occur in a cluster of 11 genes that span 170 kb of DNA sequence. Based on consensus amino acid residues in the reactive center loop (RCL) and signal peptide scanning, 93% are putatively inhibitory while 82% are putatively extracellular. Among the 11 different amino acid residues that are predicted at the P1 sites, 16 sequences possess basic amino acid (R/K) residues. Temporal and spatial expression analyses revealed that 40 of the 45 serpins are differentially expressed in salivary glands (SG) and/or midguts (MG) of unfed and partially fed ticks. Ten of the 38 serpin genes were expressed from six to 24 hrs of feeding while six and fives genes each are predominantly or exclusively expressed in either MG and SG respectively. CONCLUSION Given the diversity among tick species, sizes of tick serpin families are likely to be variable. However this study provides insight on the potential sizes of serpin protein families in ticks. Ticks must overcome inflammation, complement activation and blood coagulation to complete feeding. Since these pathways are regulated by serpins that have basic residues at their P1 sites, we speculate that I. scapularis may utilize some of the serpins reported in this study to manipulate host defense. We have discussed our data in the context of advances on the molecular physiology of I. scapularis. Although the paper is descriptive, this study provides the first step toward a comprehensive understanding of serpins in tick physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Mulenga
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, 2475 TAMU, Minnie Belle Heep center, College Station, Texas 77843, USA.
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Prevot PP, Beschin A, Lins L, Beaufays J, Grosjean A, Bruys L, Adam B, Brossard M, Brasseur R, Zouaoui Boudjeltia K, Vanhamme L, Godfroid E. Exosites mediate the anti-inflammatory effects of a multifunctional serpin from the saliva of the tick Ixodes ricinus. FEBS J 2009; 276:3235-46. [PMID: 19438720 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2009.07038.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Serine protease inhibitors (serpins) are a structurally related but functionally diverse family of ubiquitous proteins. We previously described Ixodes ricinus immunosuppressor (Iris) as a serpin from the saliva of the tick I. ricinus displaying high affinity for human leukocyte elastase. Iris also displays pleotropic effects because it interferes with both the immune response and hemostasis of the host. It thus inhibits lymphocyte proliferation and the secretion of interferon-gamma or tumor necrosis factor-alpha by peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and also platelet adhesion, coagulation and fibrinolysis. Its ability to interfere with coagulation and fibrinolysis, but not platelet adhesion, depends on the integrity of its antiproteolytic reactive center loop domain. Here, we dissect the mechanisms underlying the interaction of recombinant Iris with peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We show that Iris binds to monocytes/macrophages and inhibits their ability to secrete tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Recombinant Iris also has a protective role in endotoxemic shock. The anti-inflammatory ability of Iris does not depend on its antiprotease activity. Moreover, we pinpoint the exosites involved in this activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Paul Prevot
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire des Ectoparasites, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
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Proteomic Analysis of Proteins in the Salivary Glands of the Fed and Unfed Female Tick Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/s1671-2927(09)60017-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Ixodes ricinus tick lipocalins: identification, cloning, phylogenetic analysis and biochemical characterization. PLoS One 2008; 3:e3941. [PMID: 19096708 PMCID: PMC2601031 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2008] [Accepted: 11/17/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During their blood meal, ticks secrete a wide variety of proteins that interfere with their host's defense mechanisms. Among these proteins, lipocalins play a major role in the modulation of the inflammatory response. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Screening a cDNA library in association with RT-PCR and RACE methodologies allowed us to identify 14 new lipocalin genes in the salivary glands of the Ixodes ricinus hard tick. A computational in-depth structural analysis confirmed that LIRs belong to the lipocalin family. These proteins were called LIR for "Lipocalin from I. ricinus" and numbered from 1 to 14 (LIR1 to LIR14). According to their percentage identity/similarity, LIR proteins may be assigned to 6 distinct phylogenetic groups. The mature proteins have calculated pM and pI varying from 21.8 kDa to 37.2 kDa and from 4.45 to 9.57 respectively. In a western blot analysis, all recombinant LIRs appeared as a series of thin bands at 50-70 kDa, suggesting extensive glycosylation, which was experimentally confirmed by treatment with N-glycosidase F. In addition, the in vivo expression analysis of LIRs in I. ricinus, examined by RT-PCR, showed homogeneous expression profiles for certain phylogenetic groups and relatively heterogeneous profiles for other groups. Finally, we demonstrated that LIR6 codes for a protein that specifically binds leukotriene B4. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE This work confirms that, regarding their biochemical properties, expression profile, and sequence signature, lipocalins in Ixodes hard tick genus, and more specifically in the Ixodes ricinus species, are segregated into distinct phylogenetic groups suggesting potential distinct function. This was particularly demonstrated by the ability of LIR6 to scavenge leukotriene B4. The other LIRs did not bind any of the ligands tested, such as 5-hydroxytryptamine, ADP, norepinephrine, platelet activating factor, prostaglandins D2 and E2, and finally leukotrienes B4 and C4.
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Mulenga A, Khumthong R, Chalaire KC, Strey O, Teel P. Molecular and biological characterization of the Amblyomma americanum organic anion transporter polypeptide. J Exp Biol 2008; 211:3401-8. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.022376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY
The organic anion transporting polypeptides (Oatps in rodents and other organism; OATPs in human) are Na+-independent transporters that shuttle a wide range of endogenous and xenobotic amphipathic compounds across plasma membranes. We previously discovered an Amblyomma americanumtick (Aam) Oatp cDNA among genes that were upregulated or induced in ticks that were stimulated to start feeding. In this study, we have characterized a 2860 bp full-length cDNA that encode a 724 amino acid putative protein. Bioinformatics and hydropathy analyses revealed that, in addition to the kazal-type serine proteinase inhibitor motif, AamOatp possess typical features that characterize the Oatp/OATP protein family, including 12 transmembrane (TM) domains, the consensus amino acid motif D-X-RW-(I,V)-GAWW-X-G-(F,L)-L and 11 consensus cysteine residues in the large extracellular domain between TM9 and TM10. AamOatp is constitutively and ubiquitously expressed, as determined by RT-PCR amplification of the transcript, in all organs of ticks that fed for 1–7 days. Analysis of the normalized transcript abundance revealed that from days 1 to 5 of feeding, AamOatp mRNA expression in the midgut (MG) was 60–80-fold higher than levels found in the salivary gland (SG), ovary (OV) and carcass(CA). By contrast, by day 7 of feeding, the AamOatp mRNA was 60–80-fold more strongly expressed in the OV than in the SG, MG and CA. These data strongly indicate that changing physiological needs during the tick feeding process influences transcriptional regulation of AamOatp. Our data also show that RNAi-mediated suppression of the AamOatp caused ticks to obtain smaller blood meals, which consequently resulted in ticks laying fewer eggs. The results are discussed in the context of AamOatp as a potential pharmacological or anti-tick vaccine target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Mulenga
- Texas A&M University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,Department of Entomology, 2475 TAMU, Minnie Belle Heep Center, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Rabuesak Khumthong
- Texas A&M University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,Department of Entomology, 2475 TAMU, Minnie Belle Heep Center, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - K. C. Chalaire
- Texas A&M University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,Department of Entomology, 2475 TAMU, Minnie Belle Heep Center, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Otto Strey
- Texas A&M University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,Department of Entomology, 2475 TAMU, Minnie Belle Heep Center, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Pete Teel
- Texas A&M University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,Department of Entomology, 2475 TAMU, Minnie Belle Heep Center, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Decrem Y, Beaufays J, Blasioli V, Lahaye K, Brossard M, Vanhamme L, Godfroid E. A family of putative metalloproteases in the salivary glands of the tick Ixodes ricinus. FEBS J 2008; 275:1485-1499. [PMID: 18279375 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2008.06308.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are obligate blood-feeding arachnids. During their long-lasting blood meal, they have to counteract the protective barriers and defense mechanisms of their host. These include tissue integrity, pain, hemostasis, and the inflammatory and immune reactions. Here, we describe a multigene family coding for five putative salivary metalloproteases induced during the blood meal of Ixodes ricinus. The evolutionary divergence inside the family was driven by positive Darwinian selection. This came together with individual variation of expression, functional heterogeneity, and antigenic diversification. Inhibition of the expression of some of these genes by RNA interference prevented completion of the tick blood meal and affected the ability of the tick saliva to interfere with host fibrinolysis. This family of proteins could therefore participate in the inhibition of wound healing after the tick bite, thereby facilitating the completion of the blood meal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves Decrem
- IBMM (Institut de Biologie et Médecine Moléculaires), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Jérôme Beaufays
- IBMM (Institut de Biologie et Médecine Moléculaires), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Virginie Blasioli
- IBMM (Institut de Biologie et Médecine Moléculaires), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Kathia Lahaye
- IBMM (Institut de Biologie et Médecine Moléculaires), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | | | - Luc Vanhamme
- IBMM (Institut de Biologie et Médecine Moléculaires), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Edmond Godfroid
- IBMM (Institut de Biologie et Médecine Moléculaires), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
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Adam B, Charloteaux B, Beaufays J, Vanhamme L, Godfroid E, Brasseur R, Lins L. Distantly related lipocalins share two conserved clusters of hydrophobic residues: use in homology modeling. BMC STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2008; 8:1. [PMID: 18190694 PMCID: PMC2254393 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6807-8-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2007] [Accepted: 01/11/2008] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background Lipocalins are widely distributed in nature and are found in bacteria, plants, arthropoda and vertebra. In hematophagous arthropods, they are implicated in the successful accomplishment of the blood meal, interfering with platelet aggregation, blood coagulation and inflammation and in the transmission of disease parasites such as Trypanosoma cruzi and Borrelia burgdorferi. The pairwise sequence identity is low among this family, often below 30%, despite a well conserved tertiary structure. Under the 30% identity threshold, alignment methods do not correctly assign and align proteins. The only safe way to assign a sequence to that family is by experimental determination. However, these procedures are long and costly and cannot always be applied. A way to circumvent the experimental approach is sequence and structure analyze. To further help in that task, the residues implicated in the stabilisation of the lipocalin fold were determined. This was done by analyzing the conserved interactions for ten lipocalins having a maximum pairwise identity of 28% and various functions. Results It was determined that two hydrophobic clusters of residues are conserved by analysing the ten lipocalin structures and sequences. One cluster is internal to the barrel, involving all strands and the 310 helix. The other is external, involving four strands and the helix lying parallel to the barrel surface. These clusters are also present in RaHBP2, a unusual "outlier" lipocalin from tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. This information was used to assess assignment of LIR2 a protein from Ixodes ricinus and to build a 3D model that helps to predict function. FTIR data support the lipocalin fold for this protein. Conclusion By sequence and structural analyzes, two conserved clusters of hydrophobic residues in interactions have been identified in lipocalins. Since the residues implicated are not conserved for function, they should provide the minimal subset necessary to confer the lipocalin fold. This information has been used to assign LIR2 to lipocalins and to investigate its structure/function relationship. This study could be applied to other protein families with low pairwise similarity, such as the structurally related fatty acid binding proteins or avidins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoit Adam
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire et Numérique, Faculté Universitaire des Sciences Agronomiques de Gembloux, Gembloux, Belgium.
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In vitro splenocyte proliferation responses of BALB/c mice to salivary gland extracts of three ixodid tick species (Acari: Ixodidae). Biologia (Bratisl) 2007. [DOI: 10.2478/s11756-007-0141-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Decrem Y, Mariller M, Lahaye K, Blasioli V, Beaufays J, Zouaoui Boudjeltia K, Vanhaeverbeek M, Cérutti M, Brossard M, Vanhamme L, Godfroid E. The impact of gene knock-down and vaccination against salivary metalloproteases on blood feeding and egg laying by Ixodes ricinus. Int J Parasitol 2007; 38:549-60. [PMID: 17959179 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2007.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2007] [Revised: 08/28/2007] [Accepted: 09/04/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Two cDNAs coding homologous putative metalloproteases (Metis 1 and Metis 2, expected molecular weights of 55.6 and 56.0kDa, respectively) were identified from the hard tick Ixodes ricinus. The expression of Metis genes was induced in salivary glands during tick blood meal. RNA interference was used to assess the role of both Metis 1 and Metis 2 in tick feeding. It was found that salivary gland extracts lacking Metis 1-2 had a restricted ability to interfere with fibrinolysis. RNAi against Metis 1-2 also induced a high mortality rate. An immune reaction was raised in repeatedly bitten animals against Metis 1 and 2. Vaccination of hosts with the recombinant Metis 1 protein produced in a eukaryotic system partially interfered with completion of the blood meal. Although vaccination did not alter the survival rate or feeding time of ticks, their weight gain and oviposition rate were reduced. This will affect their reproductive fitness in the field. We believe this is the first report of an anti-tick vaccine trial using a metalloprotease derived from I. ricinus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves Decrem
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire des Ectoparasites, IBMM (Institut de Biologie et Médecine Moléculaires), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Rue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet, 12, B-6041 Gosselies, Belgium
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38
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Abstract
Ticks are of vast medical and veterinary public health importance due to direct damage caused by feeding and their roles in transmitting well known and emerging infectious agents. Ticks and tick-borne pathogens stimulate the immune system of the host. Those immune interactions are of importance in tick biology, pathogen transmission and control of ticks and tick-borne diseases. Both innate and specific acquired immune defenses are involved in the responses of vertebrate hosts to infestation. Ticks have evolved countermeasures to circumvent host immune defenses. This review addresses the immunobiology of the tick-host interface from the perspectives of the pharmacology of tick saliva; relationship of tick saliva to pathogen transmission; host immune responses to infestation; tick modulation of host immune defences; and genomic/proteomic strategies for studying tick salivary gland molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Brossard
- Institute of Zoology, University of Neuchatel, Emile-Argand 11, CH-2007, Neuchatel, Switzerland
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39
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Abstract
Ticks are distributed worldwide and impact human and animal health, as well as food animal production. Control of ticks has been primarily by application of acaricides, which has resulted in selection of resistant ticks and environmental pollution. Vaccines have been shown to be a feasible tick control method that offers a cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternative to chemical control. However, identification of tick-protective antigens remains the limiting step in vaccine development. Tick antigens exposed naturally to the host during tick feeding and those concealed have both shown promise as candidate vaccine antigens. Development of vaccines against multiple tick species may be possible using highly conserved tick-protective antigens or by antigens showing immune cross-reaction to different tick species. Vaccines made from a combination of key protective antigens may greatly enhance vaccine efficacy. Preliminary studies have suggested the possibility of vaccine strategies directed toward both tick control and the blocking of pathogen transmission. Characterization of the tick genomes will have a great impact on the discovery of new protective antigens. The future of research directed toward tick vaccine development is exciting because of new and emerging technologies for gene discovery, and vaccine formulation and delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- J de la Fuente
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary pathobiology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-2007, USA.
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40
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Prevot PP, Adam B, Boudjeltia KZ, Brossard M, Lins L, Cauchie P, Brasseur R, Vanhaeverbeek M, Vanhamme L, Godfroid E. Anti-hemostatic effects of a serpin from the saliva of the tick Ixodes ricinus. J Biol Chem 2006; 281:26361-9. [PMID: 16672226 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m604197200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Serpins (serine protease inhibitors) are a large family of structurally related proteins found in a wide variety of organisms, including hematophagous arthropods. Protein analyses revealed that Iris, previously described as an immunomodulator secreted in the tick saliva, is related to the leukocyte elastase inhibitor and possesses serpin motifs, including the reactive center loop (RCL), which is involved in the interaction between serpins and serine proteases. Only serine proteases were inhibited by purified recombinant Iris (rIris), whereas mutants L339A and A332P were found devoid of any protease inhibitory activity. The highest Ka was observed with human leukocyte-elastase, suggesting that elastase-like proteases are the natural targets of Iris. In addition, mutation M340R completely changed both Iris substrate specificity and affinity. This likely identified Met-340 as amino acid P1 in the RCL. The effects of rIris and its mutants were also tested on primary hemostasis, blood clotting, and fibrinolysis. rIris increased platelet adhesion, the contact phase-activated pathway of coagulation, and fibrinolysis times in a dose-dependent manner, whereas rIris mutant L339A affected only platelet adhesion. Taken together, these results indicate that Iris disrupts coagulation and fibrinolysis via the anti-proteolytic RCL domain. One or more other domains could be responsible for primary hemostasis inhibition. To our knowledge, this is the first ectoparasite serpin that interferes with both hemostasis and the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Paul Prevot
- Department of Génétique Appliquée, Institut de Biologie et de Médecine Moléculaires, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Rue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet, 12, B-6041 Gosselies, Belgium
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Süss J, Klaus C, Diller R, Schrader C, Wohanka N, Abel U. TBE incidence versus virus prevalence and increased prevalence of the TBE virus in Ixodes ricinus removed from humans. Int J Med Microbiol 2006; 296 Suppl 40:63-8. [PMID: 16495152 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2005.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditionally, the classification of risk areas of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is based on the recording of autochthonous cases of the disease. In Germany, an extension of these areas over the years and an increasing virus prevalence in ticks have been observed in recent years. Registration of foci with autochthonous TBE cases, recording of disease incidence and virus prevalence in ticks are all proven epidemiological methods to characterize TBE risk areas. These data are necessary for a scientifically proven recommendation of TBE vaccines, and they need to be updated regularly. These epidemiological methods have advantages and disadvantages with respect to the risk assessment of TBE areas. Despite the fact that these methods are suitable for risk assessment in practice, disease incidence (new cases per year/100,000 inhabitants) and virus prevalence in questing ticks did not correlate. Using nested RT-PCR we were able to demonstrate that the prevalence of TBE virus (TBEV) in ticks removed from humans was significantly higher than in unfed, free-living Ixodes ricinus of the same area. The 561 ticks collected from humans in doctors' surgeries in Bavaria in 2002 were examined by nRT-PCR. The estimated overall virus prevalence in tested ticks was 8.8% (95% CI: 6.45-11.57%). The removed ticks examined were classified according to the sites of exposure of the patients in the individual districts. Peak values were measured in the district of Regen with 20.6% and in the district of Freyung-Grafenau with 18.3%. In recent studies on unfed I. ricinus (nymphs, adults), the average TBEV prevalence in ticks in Bavarian risk areas was between 0.5% and 2%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Süss
- National Reference Laboratory for Tick-Borne Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Naumburger Strasse 96a, D-07743 Jena, Germany.
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Steen NA, Barker SC, Alewood PF. Proteins in the saliva of the Ixodida (ticks): Pharmacological features and biological significance. Toxicon 2006; 47:1-20. [PMID: 16364387 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2005.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2005] [Revised: 09/05/2005] [Accepted: 09/05/2005] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The saliva of ticks (Suborder Ixodida) is critical to their survival as parasites. A tick bite should result in strong responses from the host defence systems (haemostatic, immune and inflammatory) but tick saliva appears to have evolved to counter these responses. We review current knowledge of tick saliva components, with emphasis on those molecules confirmed to be present in the secreted saliva but including some that have only been confirmed to be present in salivary glands. About 50 tick saliva proteins that are well described in the literature are discussed. These saliva components include enzymes, enzyme inhibitors, amine-binding proteins and cytokine homologues that act as anti-haemostatic, anti-inflammatory or immuno-modulatory agents. Sequence comparisons are illustrated. The importance of tick saliva and the significance of the findings to date are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- N A Steen
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
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43
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Rego ROM, Hajdusek O, Kovár V, Kopácek P, Grubhoffer L, Hypsa V. Molecular cloning and comparative analysis of fibrinogen-related proteins from the soft tick Ornithodoros moubata and the hard tick Ixodes ricinus. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2005; 35:991-1004. [PMID: 15979000 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2005.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2005] [Revised: 04/07/2005] [Accepted: 04/08/2005] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Among disease-vectors, the evolution of the tick innate immune system is still lagging when compared to insects. Such an investigation, which was initiated, by first cloning and sequencing lectins associated in the innate immunity of invertebrates and having fibrinogen related domains, helped in the sequencing of cDNA encoding for OMFREP from the soft tick, Ornithodoros moubata. Also obtained were Ixoderin A and Ixoderin B cDNA sequences from the hard tick Ixodes ricinus. Tissue-specific expression of OMFREP showed that it was present primarily in the hemocytes and salivary glands. Ixoderin A besides sharing a similar expression profile was also expressed in the midgut. Both showed significantly high homology to the lectin Dorin M, from O. moubata. Further, phylogenetic comparisons between these molecules of the soft and hard ticks showed their relatedness to Tachylectins 5A and 5B, involved in the innate immunity of Tachypleus tridentatus and ficolins from both vertebrates and invertebrates. Ixoderin B showing tissue-specific expression only in the salivary glands and the sequence displaying certain motif differences in homology point towards a possible function different from the other two molecules. This is the first report of lectin-like sequences, with a fibrinogen-domain, from the hard tick I. ricinus and a preliminary phylogenetic study of these tick sequences with related fibrinogen-domain containing sequences highlights a possible role for them in the innate immunity of the ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan O M Rego
- Institute of Parasitology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Branisovská 31, Ceské Budejovice, 370 05, Czech Republic.
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44
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Lambson B, Nene V, Obura M, Shah T, Pandit P, Ole-Moiyoi O, Delroux K, Welburn S, Skilton R, de Villiers E, Bishop R. Identification of candidate sialome components expressed in ixodid tick salivary glands using secretion signal complementation in mammalian cells. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2005; 14:403-14. [PMID: 16033433 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2005.00571.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Ixodid ticks manipulate mammalian host pathways by secreting molecules from salivary glands. Novel cDNAs containing functional secretion signals were isolated from ixodid tick salivary glands using a signal sequence trap. Only 15/61 Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and 1/7 Amblyomma variegatum cDNAs had significant identity (< 1e-15) to previously identified sequences. Polypeptides that may interact with host pathways included a kinase inhibitor. Two proteins encoded homologues of the yolk protein vitellogenin and seventeen contained glycine-rich motifs. Four proteins without sequence matches had conserved structural folds, identified using a Threading algorithm. Predicted secretion signals were between fifteen and fifty-seven amino acids long. Four homologous polymorphic proteins contained conserved (26/27 residues) signal peptides. Ten functional tick secretion signals could not be unambiguously identified using predictive algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Lambson
- The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
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45
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Valenzuela JG. Exploring tick saliva: from biochemistry to ‘sialomes’ and functional genomics. Parasitology 2005; 129 Suppl:S83-94. [PMID: 15938506 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182004005189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Tick saliva, a fluid once believed to be only relevant for lubrication of mouthparts and water balance, is now well known to be a cocktail of potent anti-haemostatic, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory molecules that helps these arthropods obtain a blood meal from their vertebrate hosts. The repertoire of pharmacologically active components in this cocktail is impressive as well as the number of targets they specifically affect. These salivary components change the physiology of the host at the bite site and, consequently, some pathogens transmitted by ticks take advantage of this change and become more infective. Tick salivary proteins have therefore become an attractive target to control tick-borne diseases. Recent advances in molecular biology, protein chemistry and computational biology are accelerating the isolation, sequencing and analysis of a large number of transcripts and proteins from the saliva of different ticks. Many of these newly isolated genes code for proteins with homologies to known proteins allowing identification or prediction of their function. However, most of these genes code for proteins with unknown functions therefore opening the road to functional genomic approaches to identify their biological activities and roles in blood feeding and hence, vaccine development to control tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Valenzuela
- Vector Molecular Biology Unit, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, 4 Center Drive, 4/B2-35, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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46
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Nene V, Lee D, Kang'a S, Skilton R, Shah T, de Villiers E, Mwaura S, Taylor D, Quackenbush J, Bishop R. Genes transcribed in the salivary glands of female Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks infected with Theileria parva. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2004; 34:1117-1128. [PMID: 15475305 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2004.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2004] [Revised: 06/30/2004] [Accepted: 07/01/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We describe the generation of an auto-annotated index of genes that are expressed in the salivary glands of four-day fed female adult Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks. A total of 9162 EST sequences were derived from an uninfected tick cDNA library and 9844 ESTs were from a cDNA library from ticks infected with Theileria parva, which develop in type III salivary gland acini. There were no major differences between abundantly expressed ESTs from the two cDNA libraries, although there was evidence for an up-regulation in the expression of some glycine-rich proteins in infected salivary glands. Gene ontology terms were also assigned to sequences in the index and those with potential enzyme function were linked to the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes database, allowing reconstruction of metabolic pathways. Several genes code for previously characterized tick proteins such as receptors for myokinin or ecdysteroid and an immunosuppressive protein. cDNAs coding for homologs of heme-lipoproteins which are major components of tick hemolymph were identified by searching the database with published N-terminal peptide sequence data derived from biochemically purified Boophilus microplus proteins. The EST data will be a useful resource for construction of microarrays to probe vector biology, vector-host and vector-pathogen interactions and to underpin gene identification via proteomics approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishvanath Nene
- Parasite Genomics Department, The Institute for Genomic Research, 9712 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
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Mulenga A, Simser JA, Macaluso KR, Azad AF. Stress and transcriptional regulation of tick ferritin HC. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2004; 13:423-433. [PMID: 15271215 DOI: 10.1111/j.0962-1075.2004.00502.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We previously identified a partial Dermacentor variabilis cDNA encoding ferritin HC (HC) subunit homolog (DVFER) that was differentially upregulated in Rickettsia montanensis infected ticks (Mulenga et al., 2003a). We have used rapid amplification of cDNA ends to clone full-length DVFER cDNA and its apparent ortholog from the wood tick, D. andersoni (DAFER), both of which show high sequence similarity to vertebrate than insect ferritin. Both DVFER and DAFER contain the stem-loop structure of a putative iron responsive element in the 5' untranslated region (nucleotide positions, 16-42) and the feroxidase centre loop typical for vertebrate ferritin HC subunits. Quantitative Western and Northern blotting analyses of protein and RNA from unfed and partially fed whole tick as well as dissected tick tissues demonstrated that DVFER is constitutively and ubiquitously expressed. Based on densitometric analysis of detected protein and mRNA bands, DVFER is predominantly expressed in the midgut, and to a lesser extent in the salivary glands, ovary and fatbody. Sham treatment (mechanical injury) and Escherichia coli challenge of D. variabilis ticks stimulated statistically significant (approximately 1.5- and approximately 3.0-fold, respectively) increases in DVFER mRNA abundance over time point matched naive control ticks. These data suggest that DVFER mRNA is nonspecifically up regulated in response to mechanical injury or bacterial infection induced stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mulenga
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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48
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Mulenga A, Macaluso KR, Simser JA, Azad AF. The American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis, encodes a functional histamine release factor homolog. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2003; 33:911-919. [PMID: 12915182 DOI: 10.1016/s0965-1748(03)00097-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We have identified a functional Dermacentor variabilis histamine release factor (DVHRF) homolog and shown that it is a secreted tick saliva protein. The 945 base pair (bp) full-length DVHRF cDNA has a 522 bp open reading frame that encodes a 20 kDa (173 amino acid) polypeptide. Sequence analysis showed that the two HRF signature amino acid sequences were conserved in DVHRF, indicating close structural similarity between DVHRF and other characterized HRF homologs. Northern and Western blotting analyses of partially fed and unfed ticks indicates that neither DVHRF transcriptional nor translational regulation were influenced by tick feeding activity. Like its counterparts from the mammalian system, tick DVHRF is expressed in various tissues, as assessed by both Northern and Western blotting analyses. Furthermore, an Escherichia coli-expressed recombinant DVHRF induced histamine secretion from a rat basophilic leukemic cell line in a dose-dependent manner. Extensive experimental evidence has shown that high levels of histamine at tick attachment sites impede the biological success of feeding ticks and, in response, ticks secrete histamine-binding proteins to minimize the adverse effects of histamine. Our results suggest the existence of a tick-derived multifaceted control mechanism for levels of histamine at tick feeding sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Mulenga
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
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49
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Mulenga A, Tsuda A, Onuma M, Sugimoto C. Four serine proteinase inhibitors (serpin) from the brown ear tick, Rhiphicephalus appendiculatus; cDNA cloning and preliminary characterization. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2003; 33:267-276. [PMID: 12535684 DOI: 10.1016/s0965-1748(02)00240-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
While development of an anti-Boophilus microplus vaccine is advanced and practical, work on other economically important ticks such as Rhipicephalus appendiculatus is still in its infancy. Guess PCR primers, designed from a consensus amino acid sequence (NAVYKFG) motif were used with rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) to clone four cDNAs encoding serine proteinase inhibitors (serpin) from the brown ear tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. The four genes designated as R. appendiculatus serpin (RAS) -1 to -4 encode polypeptides of 378, 380, 398 and 486 amino acids long, respectively. Sequence comparison of RAS-1 to -4 predicted amino acid sequences to the serpin-like hypothetical protein from Ixodes ricinus (Leboulle et al., 2002) revealed closer structural similarities among tick serpins. Expression analysis by RT-PCR showed that RAS-1 to -4 are expressed in other tick organs in addition to salivary glands and midguts. Except for RAS-3 whose expression level appears to be equivalent in all tick organs, RAS-1, -2 and -4 are predominantly expressed in the salivary glands. We have discussed our findings with reference to development of vaccines against R. appendiculatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mulenga
- Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kitaku, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Sapporo 060-0818, Hokkaido, Japan.
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