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Boleti APDA, Jacobowski AC, Monteiro-Alfredo T, Pereira APR, Oliva MLV, Maria DA, Macedo MLR. Cutaneous Melanoma: An Overview of Physiological and Therapeutic Aspects and Biotechnological Use of Serine Protease Inhibitors. Molecules 2024; 29:3891. [PMID: 39202970 PMCID: PMC11357276 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29163891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2024] [Revised: 08/11/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metastatic melanoma stands out as the most lethal form of skin cancer because of its high propensity to spread and its remarkable resistance to treatment methods. METHODS In this review article, we address the incidence of melanoma worldwide and its staging phases. We thoroughly investigate the different melanomas and their associated risk factors. In addition, we underscore the principal therapeutic goals and pharmacological methods that are currently used in the treatment of melanoma. RESULTS The implementation of targeted therapies has contributed to improving the approach to patients. However, because of the emergence of resistance early in treatment, overall survival and progression-free periods continue to be limited. CONCLUSIONS We provide new insights into plant serine protease inhibitor therapeutics, supporting high-throughput drug screening soon, and seeking a complementary approach to explain crucial mechanisms associated with melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula De Araújo Boleti
- Laboratory of Protein Purification and Their Biological Functions, Food Technology and Public Health Unit, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande 79070-900, MS, Brazil; (A.P.D.A.B.); (A.C.J.); (T.M.-A.); (A.P.R.P.)
| | - Ana Cristina Jacobowski
- Laboratory of Protein Purification and Their Biological Functions, Food Technology and Public Health Unit, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande 79070-900, MS, Brazil; (A.P.D.A.B.); (A.C.J.); (T.M.-A.); (A.P.R.P.)
| | - Tamaeh Monteiro-Alfredo
- Laboratory of Protein Purification and Their Biological Functions, Food Technology and Public Health Unit, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande 79070-900, MS, Brazil; (A.P.D.A.B.); (A.C.J.); (T.M.-A.); (A.P.R.P.)
| | - Ana Paula Ramos Pereira
- Laboratory of Protein Purification and Their Biological Functions, Food Technology and Public Health Unit, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande 79070-900, MS, Brazil; (A.P.D.A.B.); (A.C.J.); (T.M.-A.); (A.P.R.P.)
| | - Maria Luiza Vilela Oliva
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023-062, SP, Brazil;
| | - Durvanei Augusto Maria
- Divisão de Ciências Fisiológicas e Químicas, Serviço de Bioquímica, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05585-000, SP, Brazil;
| | - Maria Lígia Rodrigues Macedo
- Laboratory of Protein Purification and Their Biological Functions, Food Technology and Public Health Unit, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande 79070-900, MS, Brazil; (A.P.D.A.B.); (A.C.J.); (T.M.-A.); (A.P.R.P.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food, and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, MS, Brazil
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2
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Morais KLP, Ciccone L, Stura E, Alvarez-Flores MP, Mourier G, Driessche MV, Sciani JM, Iqbal A, Kalil SP, Pereira GJ, Marques-Porto R, Cunegundes P, Juliano L, Servent D, Chudzinski-Tavassi AM. Structural and functional properties of the Kunitz-type and C-terminal domains of Amblyomin-X supporting its antitumor activity. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1072751. [PMID: 36845546 PMCID: PMC9948614 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1072751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Amblyomin-X is a Kunitz-type FXa inhibitor identified through the transcriptome analysis of the salivary gland from Amblyomma sculptum tick. This protein consists of two domains of equivalent size, triggers apoptosis in different tumor cell lines, and promotes regression of tumor growth, and reduction of metastasis. To study the structural properties and functional roles of the N-terminal (N-ter) and C-terminal (C-ter) domains of Amblyomin-X, we synthesized them by solid-phase peptide synthesis, solved the X-Ray crystallographic structure of the N-ter domain, confirming its Kunitz-type signature, and studied their biological properties. We show here that the C-ter domain is responsible for the uptake of Amblyomin-X by tumor cells and highlight the ability of this domain to deliver intracellular cargo by the strong enhancement of the intracellular detection of molecules with low cellular-uptake efficiency (p15) after their coupling with the C-ter domain. In contrast, the N-ter Kunitz domain of Amblyomin-X is not capable of crossing through the cell membrane but is associated with tumor cell cytotoxicity when it is microinjected into the cells or fused to TAT cell-penetrating peptide. Additionally, we identify the minimum length C-terminal domain named F2C able to enter in the SK-MEL-28 cells and induces dynein chains gene expression modulation, a molecular motor that plays a role in the uptake and intracellular trafficking of Amblyomin-X.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. L. P. Morais
- Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil,Laboratory of Development and Innovation, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil,Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L. Ciccone
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France,Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - E. Stura
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - M. P. Alvarez-Flores
- Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - G. Mourier
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - M. Vanden Driessche
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - J. M. Sciani
- Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - A. Iqbal
- Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil,Laboratory of Development and Innovation, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - S. P. Kalil
- Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - G. J. Pereira
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - R. Marques-Porto
- Laboratory of Development and Innovation, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - P. Cunegundes
- Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil,Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L. Juliano
- Department of Biophysics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - D. Servent
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA SIMoS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France,*Correspondence: D. Servent, ; A. M. Chudzinski-Tavassi,
| | - A. M. Chudzinski-Tavassi
- Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery (CENTD), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil,Laboratory of Development and Innovation, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil,*Correspondence: D. Servent, ; A. M. Chudzinski-Tavassi,
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3
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Lobba ARM, Alvarez-Flores MP, Fessel MR, Buri MV, Oliveira DS, Gomes RN, Cunegundes PS, DeOcesano-Pereira C, Cinel VD, Chudzinski-Tavassi AM. A Kunitz-type inhibitor from tick salivary glands: A promising novel antitumor drug candidate. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:936107. [PMID: 36052162 PMCID: PMC9424826 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.936107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Salivary glands are vital structures responsible for successful tick feeding. The saliva of ticks contains numerous active molecules that participate in several physiological processes. A Kunitz-type factor Xa (FXa) inhibitor, similar to the tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) precursor, was identified in the salivary gland transcriptome of Amblyomma sculptum ticks. The recombinant mature form of this Kunitz-type inhibitor, named Amblyomin-X, displayed anticoagulant, antiangiogenic, and antitumor properties. Amblyomin-X is a protein that inhibits FXa in the blood coagulation cascade and acts via non-hemostatic mechanisms, such as proteasome inhibition. Amblyomin-X selectively induces apoptosis in cancer cells and promotes tumor regression through these mechanisms. Notably, the cytotoxicity of Amblyomin-X seems to be restricted to tumor cells and does not affect non-tumorigenic cells, tissues, and organs, making this recombinant protein an attractive molecule for anticancer therapy. The cytotoxic activity of Amblyomin-X on tumor cells has led to vast exploration into this protein. Here, we summarize the function, action mechanisms, structural features, pharmacokinetics, and biodistribution of this tick Kunitz-type inhibitor recombinant protein as a promising novel antitumor drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline R. M. Lobba
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery-CENTD, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Development and Innovation Centre, Butantan Institute, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Miryam Paola Alvarez-Flores
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery-CENTD, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Development and Innovation Centre, Butantan Institute, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Melissa Regina Fessel
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery-CENTD, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Development and Innovation Centre, Butantan Institute, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcus Vinicius Buri
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery-CENTD, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Development and Innovation Centre, Butantan Institute, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Douglas S. Oliveira
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery-CENTD, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Development and Innovation Centre, Butantan Institute, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Biochemistry Department, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata N. Gomes
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery-CENTD, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Development and Innovation Centre, Butantan Institute, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Priscila S. Cunegundes
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery-CENTD, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Development and Innovation Centre, Butantan Institute, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Biochemistry Department, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos DeOcesano-Pereira
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery-CENTD, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Development and Innovation Centre, Butantan Institute, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Victor D. Cinel
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery-CENTD, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Development and Innovation Centre, Butantan Institute, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Biochemistry Department, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana M. Chudzinski-Tavassi
- Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery-CENTD, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Development and Innovation Centre, Butantan Institute, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Biochemistry Department, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Ana M. Chudzinski-Tavassi,
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Lara PG, Esteves E, Sales-Campos H, Assis JB, Henrique MO, Barros MS, Neto LS, Silva PI, Martins JO, Cardoso CRB, Ribeiro JMC, Sá-Nunes A. AeMOPE-1, a Novel Salivary Peptide From Aedes aegypti, Selectively Modulates Activation of Murine Macrophages and Ameliorates Experimental Colitis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:681671. [PMID: 34349757 PMCID: PMC8327214 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.681671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The sialotranscriptomes of Aedes aegypti revealed a transcript overexpressed in female salivary glands that codes a mature 7.8 kDa peptide. The peptide, specific to the Aedes genus, has a unique sequence, presents a putative secretory nature and its function is unknown. Here, we confirmed that the peptide is highly expressed in the salivary glands of female mosquitoes when compared to the salivary glands of males, and its secretion in mosquito saliva is able to sensitize the vertebrate host by inducing the production of specific antibodies. The synthetic version of the peptide downmodulated nitric oxide production by activated peritoneal murine macrophages. The fractionation of a Ae. aegypti salivary preparation revealed that the fractions containing the naturally secreted peptide reproduced the nitric oxide downmodulation. The synthetic peptide also selectively interfered with cytokine production by murine macrophages, inhibiting the production of IL-6, IL-12p40 and CCL2 without affecting TNF-α or IL-10 production. Likewise, intracellular proteins associated with macrophage activation were also distinctively modulated: while iNOS and NF-κB p65 expression were diminished, IκBα and p38 MAPK expression did not change in the presence of the peptide. The anti-inflammatory properties of the synthetic peptide were tested in vivo on a dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis model. The therapeutic administration of the Ae. aegypti peptide reduced the leukocytosis, macrophage activity and nitric oxide levels in the gut, as well as the expression of cytokines associated with the disease, resulting in amelioration of its clinical signs. Given its biological properties in vitro and in vivo, the molecule was termed Aedes-specific MOdulatory PEptide (AeMOPE-1). Thus, AeMOPE-1 is a novel mosquito-derived immunobiologic with potential to treat immune-mediated disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila G. Lara
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eliane Esteves
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Helioswilton Sales-Campos
- Department of Clinical Analysis, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
| | - Josiane B. Assis
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maressa O. Henrique
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Michele S. Barros
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leila S. Neto
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro I. Silva
- Laboratory for Applied Toxinology, Butantan Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joilson O. Martins
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristina R. B. Cardoso
- Department of Clinical Analysis, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
| | - José M. C. Ribeiro
- Section of Vector Biology, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Anderson Sá-Nunes
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Molecular Entomology, National Council of Scientific and Technological Development (INCT-EM/CNPq), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Jmel MA, Aounallah H, Bensaoud C, Mekki I, Chmelař J, Faria F, M’ghirbi Y, Kotsyfakis M. Insights into the Role of Tick Salivary Protease Inhibitors during Ectoparasite-Host Crosstalk. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:E892. [PMID: 33477394 PMCID: PMC7831016 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Protease inhibitors (PIs) are ubiquitous regulatory proteins present in all kingdoms. They play crucial tasks in controlling biological processes directed by proteases which, if not tightly regulated, can damage the host organism. PIs can be classified according to their targeted proteases or their mechanism of action. The functions of many PIs have now been characterized and are showing clinical relevance for the treatment of human diseases such as arthritis, hepatitis, cancer, AIDS, and cardiovascular diseases, amongst others. Other PIs have potential use in agriculture as insecticides, anti-fungal, and antibacterial agents. PIs from tick salivary glands are special due to their pharmacological properties and their high specificity, selectivity, and affinity to their target proteases at the tick-host interface. In this review, we discuss the structure and function of PIs in general and those PI superfamilies abundant in tick salivary glands to illustrate their possible practical applications. In doing so, we describe tick salivary PIs that are showing promise as drug candidates, highlighting the most promising ones tested in vivo and which are now progressing to preclinical and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Amine Jmel
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (M.A.J.); (C.B.); (I.M.)
| | - Hajer Aounallah
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, LR19IPTX, Service d’Entomologie Médicale, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (H.A.); (Y.M.)
- Innovation and Development Laboratory, Innovation and Development Center, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil;
| | - Chaima Bensaoud
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (M.A.J.); (C.B.); (I.M.)
| | - Imen Mekki
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (M.A.J.); (C.B.); (I.M.)
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
| | - Jindřich Chmelař
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
| | - Fernanda Faria
- Innovation and Development Laboratory, Innovation and Development Center, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil;
| | - Youmna M’ghirbi
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, LR19IPTX, Service d’Entomologie Médicale, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (H.A.); (Y.M.)
| | - Michalis Kotsyfakis
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (M.A.J.); (C.B.); (I.M.)
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Aounallah H, Bensaoud C, M'ghirbi Y, Faria F, Chmelar JI, Kotsyfakis M. Tick Salivary Compounds for Targeted Immunomodulatory Therapy. Front Immunol 2020; 11:583845. [PMID: 33072132 PMCID: PMC7538779 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.583845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunodeficiency disorders and autoimmune diseases are common, but a lack of effective targeted drugs and the side-effects of existing drugs have stimulated interest in finding therapeutic alternatives. Naturally derived substances are a recognized source of novel drugs, and tick saliva is increasingly recognized as a rich source of bioactive molecules with specific functions. Ticks use their saliva to overcome the innate and adaptive host immune systems. Their saliva is a rich cocktail of molecules including proteins, peptides, lipid derivatives, and recently discovered non-coding RNAs that inhibit or modulate vertebrate immune reactions. A number of tick saliva and/or salivary gland molecules have been characterized and shown to be promising candidates for drug development for vertebrate immune diseases. However, further validation of these molecules at the molecular, cellular, and organism levels is now required to progress lead candidates to clinical testing. In this paper, we review the data on the immuno-pharmacological aspects of tick salivary compounds characterized in vitro and/or in vivo and present recent findings on non-coding RNAs that might be exploitable as immunomodulatory therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajer Aounallah
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR19IPTX, Service d'Entomologie Médicale, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.,Innovation and Development Laboratory, Innovation and Development Center, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Chaima Bensaoud
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Youmna M'ghirbi
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR19IPTX, Service d'Entomologie Médicale, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Fernanda Faria
- Innovation and Development Laboratory, Innovation and Development Center, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jindr Ich Chmelar
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Michail Kotsyfakis
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia.,Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czechia
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Štibrániová I, Bartíková P, Holíková V, Kazimírová M. Deciphering Biological Processes at the Tick-Host Interface Opens New Strategies for Treatment of Human Diseases. Front Physiol 2019; 10:830. [PMID: 31333488 PMCID: PMC6617849 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are obligatory blood-feeding ectoparasites, causing blood loss and skin damage in their hosts. In addition, ticks also transmit a number of various pathogenic microorganisms that cause serious diseases in humans and animals. Ticks evolved a wide array of salivary bioactive compounds that, upon injection into the host skin, inhibit or modulate host reactions such as hemostasis, inflammation and wound healing. Modulation of the tick attachment site in the host skin involves mainly molecules which affect physiological processes orchestrated by cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. Suppressing host defense reactions is crucial for tick survival and reproduction. Furthermore, pharmacologically active compounds in tick saliva have a promising therapeutic potential for treatment of some human diseases connected with disorders in hemostasis and immune system. These disorders are often associated to alterations in signaling pathways and dysregulation or overexpression of specific cytokines which, in turn, affect mechanisms of angiogenesis, cell motility and cytoskeletal regulation. Moreover, tick salivary molecules were found to exert cytotoxic and cytolytic effects on various tumor cells and have anti-angiogenic properties. Elucidation of the mode of action of tick bioactive molecules on the regulation of cell processes in their mammalian hosts could provide new tools for understanding the complex changes leading to immune disorders and cancer. Tick bioactive molecules may also be exploited as new pharmacological inhibitors of the signaling pathways of cytokines and thus help alleviate patient discomfort and increase patient survival. We review the current knowledge about tick salivary peptides and proteins that have been identified and functionally characterized in in vitro and/or in vivo models and their therapeutic perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iveta Štibrániová
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Pavlína Bartíková
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Viera Holíková
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Mária Kazimírová
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
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