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Interaction of the tick immune system with transmitted pathogens.

Authors :
Hajdušek O
Síma R
Ayllón N
Jalovecká M
Perner J
de la Fuente J
Kopáček P
Source :
Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology [Front Cell Infect Microbiol] 2013 Jul 16; Vol. 3, pp. 26. Date of Electronic Publication: 2013 Jul 16 (Print Publication: 2013).
Publication Year :
2013

Abstract

Ticks are hematophagous arachnids transmitting a wide variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, and protozoans to their vertebrate hosts. The tick vector competence has to be intimately linked to the ability of transmitted pathogens to evade tick defense mechanisms encountered on their route through the tick body comprising midgut, hemolymph, salivary glands or ovaries. Tick innate immunity is, like in other invertebrates, based on an orchestrated action of humoral and cellular immune responses. The direct antimicrobial defense in ticks is accomplished by a variety of small molecules such as defensins, lysozymes or by tick-specific antimicrobial compounds such as microplusin/hebraein or 5.3-kDa family proteins. Phagocytosis of the invading microbes by tick hemocytes is likely mediated by the primordial complement-like system composed of thioester-containing proteins, fibrinogen-related lectins and convertase-like factors. Moreover, an important role in survival of the ingested microbes seems to be played by host proteins and redox balance maintenance in the tick midgut. Here, we summarize recent knowledge about the major components of tick immune system and focus on their interaction with the relevant tick-transmitted pathogens, represented by spirochetes (Borrelia), rickettsiae (Anaplasma), and protozoans (Babesia). Availability of the tick genomic database and feasibility of functional genomics based on RNA interference greatly contribute to the understanding of molecular and cellular interplay at the tick-pathogen interface and may provide new targets for blocking the transmission of tick pathogens.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2235-2988
Volume :
3
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
23875177
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2013.00026