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Immunization of guinea pigs with cement extract induces resistance against Ixodes scapularis ticks

Authors :
Geoffrey E. Lynn
Jiří Černý
Cheyne Kurokawa
Hüsrev Diktaş
Jaqueline Matias
Andaleeb Sajid
Gunjan Arora
Kathleen DePonte
Sukanya Narasimhan
Erol Fikrig
Source :
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases. 13:102017
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
Elsevier BV, 2022.

Abstract

As hematophagous parasites, many tick species are important vectors of medical and veterinary disease agents. Proteins found in tick saliva and midgut have been used with some success in immunizations of animal hosts against feeding ticks, and whole saliva has been used effectively in this capacity against Ixodes scapularis, the primary vector of tickborne pathogens in the United States. Tick saliva is a complex substance containing hundreds of proteins, and the identification of specific protective antigens is ongoing. We performed a series of experiments immunizing guinea pigs with extracts prepared from midgut or attachment cement collected from adult female I. scapularis followed by challenge with nymphs of the same species. Midgut extract did not induce protective immunity, while immunization with cement extract resulted in partial protection of hosts as evidenced by premature tick detachment and 34-41% reduction in tick engorgement weights. Proteomic characterization of I. scapularis cement was performed, demonstrating that the cement extract was compositionally different from tick saliva, and vitellogenin-like lipoproteins were the most abundant proteins in cement extract (40%). Cement was also heavily enriched with lysozymes and defensins, including those originating from both the mammalian host as well as ticks. These results demonstrate that I. scapularis cement contains immunogenic components capable of stimulating host resistance against tick feeding. Because the cement is present at the tick-host interface for an extended period of time during the feeding process, these antigens present auspicious candidates for further evaluation and potential inclusion in an anti-tick vaccine.

Details

ISSN :
1877959X
Volume :
13
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....2402269747d547055fb842188be43ee1
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102017