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Eroksuz Y, Timurkan MO, Shams F, Seuberlich T, Karabulut B, Incili CA, Kara E, Eroksuz H. Astrovirus induced nonpurulent encephalomyelitis in sheep: First report from Türkiye by high-throughput sequencing. Vet Med Sci 2024; 10:e1499. [PMID: 38879881 PMCID: PMC11180474 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study presents the case of non-purulent encephalomyelitis associated with astrovirus infection in a sheep from Eastern Anatolia, Türkiye. METHODS A necropsy was performed on a sheep showing nervous signs. Afterwards, brain tissue samples were taken and examined with histopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular techniques. RESULTS Neuropathologic changes included neuronal degeneration, diffuse gliosis, multifocal perivascular cuffing, neuronophagy and neuronal necrosis in the cerebrum, the cerebellum and the cervical spinal cord. Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial culture, selective culture for Listeria monocytogenes, and PCR analysis for rabies virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, Türkiye encephalitis virus, small ruminant lentiviruses and border disease virus were negative. However, the presence of astrovirus RNA in cerebral, cerebellar and spinal cord samples was demonstrated by a pan-astrovirus RT-PCR. Immunohistochemical examinations revealed astrovirus antigens within the neuronal cytoplasm. High-throughput sequencing techniques identified the causative agent as a member of the genotype species Mamastrovirus 13 but representing a distinct genetic lineage with similarity to ovine astrovirus 1 in the open-reading frames (ORF)1ab region and muskox astrovirus in the ORF2 region. CONCLUSION This report provides evidence that astroviruses are potentially encephalitis-causing pathogens in ovine populations in Türkiye, featuring an astrovirus strain distinct from those previously identified in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesari Eroksuz
- Department of PathologyFaculty of Veterinary MedicineFirat UniversityElazigTurkey
| | | | - Farzane Shams
- Division of Neurological SciencesVetsuisse FacultyUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Torsten Seuberlich
- Division of Neurological SciencesVetsuisse FacultyUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Burak Karabulut
- Department of PathologyFaculty of Veterinary MedicineFirat UniversityElazigTurkey
| | - Canan Akdeniz Incili
- Department of PathologyFaculty of Veterinary MedicineFirat UniversityElazigTurkey
| | - Emel Kara
- Department of PathologyFaculty of Veterinary MedicineFirat UniversityElazigTurkey
| | - Hatice Eroksuz
- Department of PathologyFaculty of Veterinary MedicineFirat UniversityElazigTurkey
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2
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Martyn C, Hayes BM, Lauko D, Midthun E, Castaneda G, Bosco-Lauth A, Salkeld DJ, Kistler A, Pollard KS, Chou S. Metatranscriptomic investigation of single Ixodes pacificus ticks reveals diverse microbes, viruses, and novel mRNA-like endogenous viral elements. mSystems 2024; 9:e0032124. [PMID: 38742892 PMCID: PMC11237458 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00321-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Ticks are increasingly important vectors of human and agricultural diseases. While many studies have focused on tick-borne bacteria, far less is known about tick-associated viruses and their roles in public health or tick physiology. To address this, we investigated patterns of bacterial and viral communities across two field populations of western black-legged ticks (Ixodes pacificus). Through metatranscriptomic analysis of 100 individual ticks, we quantified taxon prevalence, abundance, and co-occurrence with other members of the tick microbiome. In addition to commonly found tick-associated microbes, we assembled 11 novel RNA virus genomes from Rhabdoviridae, Chuviridae, Picornaviridae, Phenuiviridae, Reoviridae, Solemovidiae, Narnaviridae and two highly divergent RNA virus genomes lacking sequence similarity to any known viral families. We experimentally verified the presence of these in I. pacificus ticks across several life stages. We also unexpectedly identified numerous virus-like transcripts that are likely encoded by tick genomic DNA, and which are distinct from known endogenous viral element-mediated immunity pathways in invertebrates. Taken together, our work reveals that I. pacificus ticks carry a greater diversity of viruses than previously appreciated, in some cases resulting in evolutionarily acquired virus-like transcripts. Our findings highlight how pervasive and intimate tick-virus interactions are, with major implications for both the fundamental biology and vectorial capacity of I. pacificus ticks. IMPORTANCE Ticks are increasingly important vectors of disease, particularly in the United States where expanding tick ranges and intrusion into previously wild areas has resulted in increasing human exposure to ticks. Emerging human pathogens have been identified in ticks at an increasing rate, and yet little is known about the full community of microbes circulating in various tick species, a crucial first step to understanding how they interact with each and their tick host, as well as their ability to cause disease in humans. We investigated the bacterial and viral communities of the Western blacklegged tick in California and found 11 previously uncharacterized viruses circulating in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calla Martyn
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California–San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science & Biotechnology, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Beth M. Hayes
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California–San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- One Health Institute, Colorado State University–Fort Collins, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Domokos Lauko
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California–San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Edward Midthun
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University–Fort Collins, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Gloria Castaneda
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Angela Bosco-Lauth
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University–Fort Collins, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Daniel J. Salkeld
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University–Fort Collins, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Amy Kistler
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Katherine S. Pollard
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science & Biotechnology, San Francisco, California, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Seemay Chou
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California–San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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3
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Litov AG, Shchetinin AM, Kholodilov IS, Belova OA, Gadzhikurbanov MN, Ivannikova AY, Kovpak AA, Gushchin VA, Karganova GG. High-Throughput Sequencing Reveals Three Rhabdoviruses Persisting in the IRE/CTVM19 Cell Line. Viruses 2024; 16:576. [PMID: 38675918 PMCID: PMC11054507 DOI: 10.3390/v16040576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell cultures derived from ticks have become a commonly used tool for the isolation and study of tick-borne pathogens and tick biology. The IRE/CTVM19 cell line, originating from embryos of Ixodes ricinus, is one such line. Previously, reovirus-like particles, as well as sequences with similarity to rhabdoviruses and iflaviruses, were detected in the IRE/CTVM19 cell line, suggesting the presence of multiple persisting viruses. Subsequently, the full genome of an IRE/CTVM19-associated rhabdovirus was recovered from a cell culture during the isolation of the Alongshan virus. In the current work, we used high-throughput sequencing to describe a virome of the IRE/CTVM19 cell line. In addition to the previously detected IRE/CTVM19-associated rhabdovirus, two rhabdoviruses were detected: Chimay rhabdovirus and Norway mononegavirus 1. In the follow-up experiments, we were able to detect both positive and negative RNA strands of the IRE/CTVM19-associated rhabdovirus and Norway mononegavirus 1 in the IRE/CTVM19 cells, suggesting their active replication in the cell line. Passaging attempts in cell lines of mammalian origin failed for all three discovered rhabdoviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander G. Litov
- Laboratory of Biology of Arboviruses, FSASI “Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS” (Institute of Poliomyelitis), 108819 Moscow, Russia; (A.G.L.); (I.S.K.); (O.A.B.); (M.N.G.)
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey M. Shchetinin
- Pathogenic Microorganisms Variability Laboratory, Gamaleya Federal Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (A.M.S.); (V.A.G.)
| | - Ivan S. Kholodilov
- Laboratory of Biology of Arboviruses, FSASI “Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS” (Institute of Poliomyelitis), 108819 Moscow, Russia; (A.G.L.); (I.S.K.); (O.A.B.); (M.N.G.)
| | - Oxana A. Belova
- Laboratory of Biology of Arboviruses, FSASI “Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS” (Institute of Poliomyelitis), 108819 Moscow, Russia; (A.G.L.); (I.S.K.); (O.A.B.); (M.N.G.)
| | - Magomed N. Gadzhikurbanov
- Laboratory of Biology of Arboviruses, FSASI “Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS” (Institute of Poliomyelitis), 108819 Moscow, Russia; (A.G.L.); (I.S.K.); (O.A.B.); (M.N.G.)
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna Y. Ivannikova
- Laboratory of Biology of Arboviruses, FSASI “Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS” (Institute of Poliomyelitis), 108819 Moscow, Russia; (A.G.L.); (I.S.K.); (O.A.B.); (M.N.G.)
| | - Anastasia A. Kovpak
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, FSASI “Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS” (Institute of Poliomyelitis), 108819 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Vladimir A. Gushchin
- Pathogenic Microorganisms Variability Laboratory, Gamaleya Federal Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (A.M.S.); (V.A.G.)
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Galina G. Karganova
- Laboratory of Biology of Arboviruses, FSASI “Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS” (Institute of Poliomyelitis), 108819 Moscow, Russia; (A.G.L.); (I.S.K.); (O.A.B.); (M.N.G.)
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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4
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Lin Y, Pascall DJ. Characterisation of putative novel tick viruses and zoonotic risk prediction. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e10814. [PMID: 38259958 PMCID: PMC10800298 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Tick-associated viruses remain a substantial zoonotic risk worldwide, so knowledge of the diversity of tick viruses has potential health consequences. Despite their importance, large amounts of sequences in public data sets from tick meta-genomic and -transcriptomic projects remain unannotated, sequence data that could contain undocumented viruses. Through data mining and bioinformatic analysis of more than 37,800 public meta-genomic and -transcriptomic data sets, we found 83 unannotated contigs exhibiting high identity with known tick viruses. These putative viral contigs were classified into three RNA viral families (Alphatetraviridae, Orthomyxoviridae and Chuviridae) and one DNA viral family (Asfarviridae). After manual checking of quality and dissimilarity towards other sequences in the data set, these 83 contigs were reduced to five contigs in the Alphatetraviridae from four putative viruses, four in the Orthomyxoviridae from two putative viruses and one in the Chuviridae which clustered with known tick-associated viruses, forming a separate clade within the viral families. We further attempted to assess which previously known tick viruses likely represent zoonotic risks and thus deserve further investigation. We ranked the human infection potential of 133 known tick-associated viruses using a genome composition-based machine learning model. We found five high-risk tick-associated viruses (Langat virus, Lonestar tick chuvirus 1, Grotenhout virus, Taggert virus and Johnston Atoll virus) that have not been known to infect human and two viral families (Nairoviridae and Phenuiviridae) that contain a large proportion of potential zoonotic tick-associated viruses. This adds to the knowledge of tick virus diversity and highlights the importance of surveillance of newly emerging tick-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Lin
- MRC Biostatistics UnitUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Royal Veterinary CollegeUniversity of LondonLondonUK
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5
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Mohd Jaafar F, Belhouchet M, Monsion B, Bell-Sakyi L, Mertens PPC, Attoui H. Orbivirus NS4 Proteins Play Multiple Roles to Dampen Cellular Responses. Viruses 2023; 15:1908. [PMID: 37766314 PMCID: PMC10535134 DOI: 10.3390/v15091908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-structural protein 4 (NS4) of insect-borne and tick-borne orbiviruses is encoded by genome segment 9, from a secondary open reading frame. Though a protein dispensable for bluetongue virus (BTV) replication, it has been shown to counter the interferon response in cells infected with BTV or African horse sickness virus. We further explored the functional role(s) of NS4 proteins of BTV and the tick-borne Great Island virus (GIV). We show that NS4 of BTV or GIV helps an E3L deletion mutant of vaccinia virus to replicate efficiently in interferon-treated cells, further confirming the role of NS4 as an interferon antagonist. Our results indicate that ectopically expressed NS4 of BTV localised with caspase 3 within the nucleus and was found in a protein complex with active caspase 3 in a pull-down assay. Previous studies have shown that pro-apoptotic caspases (including caspase 3) suppress type I interferon response by cleaving mediators involved in interferon signalling. Our data suggest that orbivirus NS4 plays a role in modulating the apoptotic process and/or regulating the interferon response in mammalian cells, thus acting as a virulence factor in pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fauziah Mohd Jaafar
- UMR1161 VIROLOGIE, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, ANSES, Université Paris-Est, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France;
| | - Mourad Belhouchet
- Division of Structural Biology, Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK;
| | - Baptiste Monsion
- UMR1161 VIROLOGIE, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, ANSES, Université Paris-Est, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France;
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK;
| | - Peter P. C. Mertens
- One Virology, The Wolfson Centre for Global Virus Research, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK;
| | - Houssam Attoui
- UMR1161 VIROLOGIE, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, ANSES, Université Paris-Est, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France;
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6
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Wagner DM, Birdsell DN, McDonough RF, Nottingham R, Kocos K, Celona K, Özsürekci Y, Öhrman C, Karlsson L, Myrtennäs K, Sjödin A, Johansson A, Keim PS, Forsman M, Sahl JW. Genomic characterization of Francisella tularensis and other diverse Francisella species from complex samples. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273273. [PMID: 36223396 PMCID: PMC9555625 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Francisella tularensis, the bacterium that causes the zoonosis tularemia, and its genetic near neighbor species, can be difficult or impossible to cultivate from complex samples. Thus, there is a lack of genomic information for these species that has, among other things, limited the development of robust detection assays for F. tularensis that are both specific and sensitive. The objective of this study was to develop and validate approaches to capture, enrich, sequence, and analyze Francisella DNA present in DNA extracts generated from complex samples. RNA capture probes were designed based upon the known pan genome of F. tularensis and other diverse species in the family Francisellaceae. Probes that targeted genomic regions also present in non-Francisellaceae species were excluded, and probes specific to particular Francisella species or phylogenetic clades were identified. The capture-enrichment system was then applied to diverse, complex DNA extracts containing low-level Francisella DNA, including human clinical tularemia samples, environmental samples (i.e., animal tissue and air filters), and whole ticks/tick cell lines, which was followed by sequencing of the enriched samples. Analysis of the resulting data facilitated rigorous and unambiguous confirmation of the detection of F. tularensis or other Francisella species in complex samples, identification of mixtures of different Francisella species in the same sample, analysis of gene content (e.g., known virulence and antimicrobial resistance loci), and high-resolution whole genome-based genotyping. The benefits of this capture-enrichment system include: even very low target DNA can be amplified; it is culture-independent, reducing exposure for research and/or clinical personnel and allowing genomic information to be obtained from samples that do not yield isolates; and the resulting comprehensive data not only provide robust means to confirm the presence of a target species in a sample, but also can provide data useful for source attribution, which is important from a genomic epidemiology perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M. Wagner
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Dawn N. Birdsell
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Ryelan F. McDonough
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Roxanne Nottingham
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Karisma Kocos
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Kimberly Celona
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Yasemin Özsürekci
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Caroline Öhrman
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Linda Karlsson
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Myrtennäs
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Andreas Sjödin
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Anders Johansson
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Paul S. Keim
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Mats Forsman
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jason W. Sahl
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
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Bell-Sakyi L, Hartley CS, Khoo JJ, Forth JH, Palomar AM, Makepeace BL. New Cell Lines Derived from European Tick Species. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10061086. [PMID: 35744603 PMCID: PMC9228755 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10061086] [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: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick cell lines are important tools for research on ticks and the pathogens they transmit. Here, we report the establishment of ten new cell lines from European ticks of the genera Argas, Dermacentor, Hyalomma, Ixodes and Rhipicephalus originating from Germany and Spain. For each cell line, the method used to generate the primary culture, a morphological description of the cells and species confirmation by sequencing of the partial 16S rRNA gene are presented. Further molecular analysis of the two new Ixodes ricinus cell lines and three existing cell lines of the same species revealed genetic variation between cell lines derived from ticks collected in the same or nearby locations. Collectively, these new cell lines will support research into a wide range of viral, bacterial and protozoal tick-borne diseases prevalent in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; (C.S.H.); (J.J.K.); (B.L.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Catherine S. Hartley
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; (C.S.H.); (J.J.K.); (B.L.M.)
| | - Jing Jing Khoo
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; (C.S.H.); (J.J.K.); (B.L.M.)
| | - Jan Hendrik Forth
- Robert Koch-Institut, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ana M. Palomar
- Centre of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Hospital Universitario San Pedro-CIBIR, 26006 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain;
| | - Benjamin L. Makepeace
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; (C.S.H.); (J.J.K.); (B.L.M.)
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8
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Salata C, Moutailler S, Attoui H, Zweygarth E, Decker L, Bell-Sakyi L. How relevant are in vitro culture models for study of tick-pathogen interactions? Pathog Glob Health 2021; 115:437-455. [PMID: 34190676 PMCID: PMC8635668 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2021.1944539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although tick-borne infectious diseases threaten human and animal health worldwide, with constantly increasing incidence, little knowledge is available regarding vector-pathogen interactions and pathogen transmission. In vivo laboratory study of these subjects using live, intact ticks is expensive, labor-intensive, and challenging from the points of view of biosafety and ethics. Several in vitro models have been developed, including over 70 continuous cell lines derived from multiple tick species and a variety of tick organ culture systems, facilitating many research activities. However, some limitations have to be considered in the translation of the results from the in vitro environment to the in vivo situation of live, intact ticks, and vertebrate hosts. In this review, we describe the available in vitro models and selected results from their application to the study of tick-borne viruses, bacteria, and protozoa, where possible comparing these results to studies in live, intact ticks. Finally, we highlight the strengths and weaknesses of in vitro tick culture models and their essential role in tick-borne pathogen research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiano Salata
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sara Moutailler
- Laboratoire De Santé Animale, Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Houssam Attoui
- Department of Animal Health, UMR1161 Virologie, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, ANSES, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Erich Zweygarth
- The Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Lygia Decker
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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Three-Dimensional Culture of Rhipicephalus ( Boophilus) microplus BmVIII-SCC Cells on Multiple Synthetic Scaffold Systems and in Rotating Bioreactors. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12080747. [PMID: 34442313 PMCID: PMC8396921 DOI: 10.3390/insects12080747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Tick cell culture facilitates research on the biology of ticks and their role as vectors of pathogens that affect humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Because two-dimensional cell culture doesn't promote the development of multicellular tissue-like composites, we hypothesized that culturing tick cells in a three-dimensional (3-D) configuration would form spheroids or tissue-like organoids. In this study, the cell line BmVIII-SCC obtained from the cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini, 1888), was cultured in different synthetic scaffold systems. Growth of the tick cells on macrogelatinous beads in rotating continuous culture system bioreactors enabled cellular attachment, organization, and development into spheroid-like aggregates, with evidence of tight cellular junctions between adjacent cells and secretion of an extracellular matrix. At least three cell morphologies were identified within the aggregates: fibroblast-like cells, small endothelial-like cells, and larger cells exhibiting multiple cytoplasmic endosomes and granular vesicles. These observations suggest that BmVIII-SCC cells adapted to 3-D culture retain pluripotency. Additional studies involving genomic analyses are needed to determine if BmVIII-SCC cells in 3-D culture mimic tick organs. Applications of 3-D culture to cattle fever tick research are discussed.
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Uiterwijk M, Ibáñez-Justicia A, van de Vossenberg B, Jacobs F, Overgaauw P, Nijsse R, Dabekaussen C, Stroo A, Sprong H. Imported Hyalomma ticks in the Netherlands 2018-2020. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:244. [PMID: 33962655 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04738-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks of the genus Hyalomma, which are vectors for several tick-borne diseases, are occasionally found in areas outside their endemic range including northern parts of Europe. The objective of this study was to analyse adult Hyalomma ticks that were recently found in the Netherlands. METHODS Hyalomma ticks were morphologically identified. Cluster analysis, based upon sequence data (cox1 barcoding) for molecular identification, and pathogen detection were performed. Additionally, a cross-sectional survey of horses was conducted to actively search for Hyalomma ticks in summer 2019. Analysis of temperature was done to assess the possibility of (i) introduced engorged nymphs moulting to adults and (ii) establishment of populations in the Netherlands. RESULTS Seventeen adult Hyalomma ticks (one in 2018, eleven in 2019, five in 2020) were found by citizens and reported. Fifteen ticks were detected on horses and two on humans. Twelve were identified as H. marginatum, one as H. rufipes and four, of which only photographic images were available, as Hyalomma sp. No Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus or Babesia/Theileria parasites were detected. One adult tick tested positive for Rickettsia aeschlimannii. In the cross-sectional horse survey, no Hyalomma ticks were found. Analysis of temperatures showed that engorged nymphs arriving on migratory birds in spring were able to moult to adults in 2019 and 2020, and that cumulative daily temperatures in the Netherlands were lower than in areas with established H. marginatum populations. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that Hyalomma ticks are regularly introduced in the Netherlands as nymphs. Under the Dutch weather conditions, these nymphs are able to develop to the adult stage, which can be sighted by vigilant citizens. Only one human pathogen, Rickettsia aeschlimannii, was found in one of the ticks. The risk of introduction of tick-borne diseases via Hyalomma ticks on migratory birds is considered to be low. Establishment of permanent Hyalomma populations is considered unlikely under the current Dutch climatic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Uiterwijk
- Centre for Monitoring of Vectors (CMV), National Reference Laboratory, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Adolfo Ibáñez-Justicia
- Centre for Monitoring of Vectors (CMV), National Reference Laboratory, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Bart van de Vossenberg
- National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO-NL), National Reference Laboratory, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Frans Jacobs
- Centre for Monitoring of Vectors (CMV), National Reference Laboratory, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Paul Overgaauw
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Rolf Nijsse
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Charlotte Dabekaussen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Arjan Stroo
- Centre for Monitoring of Vectors (CMV), National Reference Laboratory, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb), National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
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11
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Sequence diversity and evolution of a group of iflaviruses associated with ticks. Arch Virol 2021; 166:1843-1852. [PMID: 33870470 PMCID: PMC8195936 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-021-05060-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We studied a group of tick-associated viruses with characteristics of members of the family Iflaviridae, a family of viruses frequently found in arthropods. Our aim was to gain insight into the evolutionary dynamics of this group of viruses, which may be linked to the biology of ticks. We explored assembled RNA-Seq data sets for different species of ticks. We identified members of five different iflavirus species, four of them novel, and discovered nine new genome sequences, including variants. Five variants represented a virus species associated with Ixodes ricinus. Unexpectedly, a sequence found in the Ixodes scapularis cell line ISE6 was nearly identical to the sequences of I. ricinus variants, suggesting a contamination of this cell line by I. ricinus material. Analysing patterns of substitutions between these variants, we detected a strong excess of synonymous mutations, suggesting evolution under strong positive selection. The phylogenies of the viruses and of their tick hosts were not congruent, suggesting recurrent host changes across tick genera during their evolution. Overall, our work constitutes a step in the understanding of the interactions between this family of viruses and ticks.
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12
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Al-Rofaai A, Bell-Sakyi L. Tick Cell Lines in Research on Tick Control. Front Physiol 2020; 11:152. [PMID: 32158404 PMCID: PMC7052283 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks and the diseases they transmit are of huge veterinary, medical and economic importance worldwide. Control of ticks attacking livestock and companion animals is achieved primarily by application of chemical or plant-based acaricides. However, ticks can rapidly develop resistance to any new product brought onto the market, necessitating an ongoing search for novel active compounds and alternative approaches to tick control. Many aspects of tick and tick-borne pathogen research have been facilitated by the application of continuous cell lines derived from some of the most economically important tick species. These include cell lines derived from acaricide-susceptible and resistant ticks, cell sub-lines with in vitro-generated acaricide resistance, and genetically modified tick cells. Although not a replacement for the whole organism, tick cell lines enable studies at the cellular and molecular level and provide a more accessible, more ethical and less expensive in vitro alternative to in vivo tick feeding experiments. Here we review the role played by tick cell lines in studies on acaricide resistance, mode-of-action of acaricides, identification of potential novel control targets through better understanding of tick metabolism, and anti-tick vaccine development, that may lead to new approaches to control ticks and tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Al-Rofaai
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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13
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Palomar AM, Premchand-Branker S, Alberdi P, Belova OA, Moniuszko-Malinowska A, Kahl O, Bell-Sakyi L. Isolation of known and potentially pathogenic tick-borne microorganisms from European ixodid ticks using tick cell lines. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:628-638. [PMID: 30819609 PMCID: PMC6446187 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ticks harbour and, in many cases transmit to their vertebrate hosts, a wide variety of pathogenic, apathogenic and endosymbiotic microorganisms. Recent molecular analyses have greatly increased the range of bacterial species potentially associated with ticks, but in most cases cannot distinguish between surface contaminants, microorganisms present in the remains of the previous blood meal and truly intracellular or tissue-associated bacteria. Here we demonstrate how tick cell lines, primary cell cultures and organ cultures can be used to isolate and propagate bacteria from within embryonic and adult Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor marginatus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks originating from different parts of Europe. We isolated and partially characterised four new strains of Spiroplasma from The Netherlands, Spain and Poland, two new strains of Rickettsia raoultii from Russia and Poland, one strain of Rickettsia slovaca from Spain and a species of Mycobacterium from the UK. Comparison with published sequences showed that the Spiroplasma strains were closely related to Spiroplasma ixodetis and the Mycobacterium isolate belonged to the Mycobacterium chelonae complex, while the R. raoultii and R. slovaca strains were similar to previously-validated species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Palomar
- Centre of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, CIBIR, C/ Piqueras, 98, Logroño 26006, La Rioja, Spain; The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK.
| | - Shonnette Premchand-Branker
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK; Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Pilar Alberdi
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
| | - Oxana A Belova
- Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides (Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS), prem. 8, k.17, pos. Institut Poliomyelita, poselenie Moskovskiy, Moscow 108819, Russia; Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, 20-1 Malaya Pirogovskaya St., Moscow 119435, Russia.
| | - Anna Moniuszko-Malinowska
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University in Białystok, Zurawia 14, 15-540 Białystok, Poland.
| | - Olaf Kahl
- Tick-radar GmbH, 10555 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK; The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK; Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Science Park IC2, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK.
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14
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The Unique Phylogenetic Position of a Novel Tick-Borne Phlebovirus Ensures an Ixodid Origin of the Genus Phlebovirus. mSphere 2018; 3:3/3/e00239-18. [PMID: 29898985 PMCID: PMC6001614 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00239-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of novel tick-borne RNA viruses causing severe illness in humans has complicated the epidemiological landscape of tick-borne diseases, requiring further investigation to safeguard public health. In the present study, we discovered a novel tick-borne phlebovirus from Ixodes persulcatus ticks in Japan. While its viral RNA genome sequences were similar to those of mosquito/sandfly-borne viruses, molecular and biological footprints confirmed that this is a tick-borne virus. The unique evolutionary position of the virus allowed us to estimate the ancestral phlebovirus vector, which was likely a hard tick. Our findings may provide a better understanding of the evolution and emergence of phleboviruses associated with emerging infectious diseases, such as severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) and Heartland virus disease. The recent emergence of novel tick-borne RNA viruses has complicated the epidemiological landscape of tick-borne infectious diseases, posing a significant challenge to public health systems that seek to counteract tick-borne diseases. The identification of two novel tick-borne phleboviruses (TBPVs), severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) and Heartland virus (HRTV), as causative agents of severe illness in humans has accelerated the investigation and discoveries of novel TBPVs. In the present study, we isolated a novel TBPV designated Mukawa virus (MKWV) from host-questing Ixodes persulcatus females captured in Japan. Genetic characterization revealed that MKWV is a member of the genus Phlebovirus in the family Phenuiviridae. Interestingly, MKWV is genetically distinct from other known TBPVs and shares a most recent common ancestor with mosquito/sandfly-borne (insect-borne) phleboviruses. Despite its genetic similarity to insect-borne phleboviruses, the molecular footprints of its viral proteins and its biological characteristics define MKWV as a tick-borne virus that can be transmitted to mammals. A phylogenetic ancestral-state reconstruction for arthropod vectors of phleboviruses including MKWV based on viral L segment sequences indicated that ticks likely harbored ancestral phleboviruses that evolved into both the tick-borne and MKWV/insect-borne phlebovirus lineages. Overall, our findings suggest that most of the phlebovirus evolution has occurred in hard ticks to generate divergent viruses, which may provide a seminal foundation for understanding the mechanisms underlying the evolution and emergence of pathogenic phleboviruses, such as Rift Valley fever virus and SFTSV/HRTV. IMPORTANCE The emergence of novel tick-borne RNA viruses causing severe illness in humans has complicated the epidemiological landscape of tick-borne diseases, requiring further investigation to safeguard public health. In the present study, we discovered a novel tick-borne phlebovirus from Ixodes persulcatus ticks in Japan. While its viral RNA genome sequences were similar to those of mosquito/sandfly-borne viruses, molecular and biological footprints confirmed that this is a tick-borne virus. The unique evolutionary position of the virus allowed us to estimate the ancestral phlebovirus vector, which was likely a hard tick. Our findings may provide a better understanding of the evolution and emergence of phleboviruses associated with emerging infectious diseases, such as severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) and Heartland virus disease.
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15
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Bell-Sakyi L, Darby A, Baylis M, Makepeace BL. The Tick Cell Biobank: A global resource for in vitro research on ticks, other arthropods and the pathogens they transmit. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:1364-1371. [PMID: 29886187 PMCID: PMC6052676 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Tick cell lines are increasingly used in many fields of tick and tick-borne disease research. The Tick Cell Biobank was established in 2009 to facilitate the development and uptake of these unique and valuable resources. As well as serving as a repository for existing and new ixodid and argasid tick cell lines, the Tick Cell Biobank supplies cell lines and training in their maintenance to scientists worldwide and generates novel cultures from tick species not already represented in the collection. Now part of the Institute of Infection and Global Health at the University of Liverpool, the Tick Cell Biobank has embarked on a new phase of activity particularly targeted at research on problems caused by ticks, other arthropods and the diseases they transmit in less-developed, lower- and middle-income countries. We are carrying out genotypic and phenotypic characterisation of selected cell lines derived from tropical tick species. We continue to expand the culture collection, currently comprising 63 cell lines derived from 18 ixodid and argasid tick species and one each from the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis and the biting midge Culicoides sonorensis, and are actively engaging with collaborators to obtain starting material for primary cell cultures from other midge species, mites, tsetse flies and bees. Outposts of the Tick Cell Biobank will be set up in Malaysia, Kenya and Brazil to facilitate uptake and exploitation of cell lines and associated training by scientists in these and neighbouring countries. Thus the Tick Cell Biobank will continue to underpin many areas of global research into biology and control of ticks, other arthropods and vector-borne viral, bacterial and protozoan pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Science Park IC2, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, United Kingdom.
| | - Alistair Darby
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, United Kingdom.
| | - Matthew Baylis
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Science Park IC2, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, United Kingdom; NIHR Health Protection Research Institute in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, The Ronald Ross Building, 8 West Derby Street, Liverpool L69 7BE, United Kingdom.
| | - Benjamin L Makepeace
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Science Park IC2, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, United Kingdom.
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16
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Abstract
Ticks are important vectors for the transmission of pathogens including viruses. The viruses carried by ticks also known as tick-borne viruses (TBVs), contain a large group of viruses with diverse genetic properties and are concluded in two orders, nine families, and at least 12 genera. Some members of the TBVs are notorious agents causing severe diseases with high mortality rates in humans and livestock, while some others may pose risks to public health that are still unclear to us. Herein, we review the current knowledge of TBVs with emphases on the history of virus isolation and identification, tick vectors, and potential pathogenicity to humans and animals, including assigned species as well as the recently discovered and unassigned species. All these will promote our understanding of the diversity of TBVs, and will facilitate the further investigation of TBVs in association with both ticks and vertebrate hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junming Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zhihong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Fei Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Shu Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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17
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Moura-Martiniano NO, Machado-Ferreira E, Gazêta GS, Soares CAG. Relative transcription of autophagy-related genes in Amblyomma sculptum and Rhipicephalus microplus ticks. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2017; 73:401-428. [PMID: 29181673 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-017-0193-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Ticks endure stressful off-host periods and perform as vectors of a diversity of infectious agents, thus engaging pathways that expectedly demand for autophagy. Little is known of ticks' autophagy, a conserved eukaryotic machinery assisting in homeostasis processes that also participates in tissue-dependent metabolic functions. Here, the autophagy-related ATG4 (autophagin-1), ATG6 (beclin-1) and ATG8 (LC3) mRNAs from the human diseases vector Amblyomma sculptum and the cattle-tick Rhipicephalus microplus were identified. Comparative qPCR quantifications evidenced different transcriptional status for the ATG genes in the salivary glands (SG), ovaries and intestines of actively feeding ticks. These ATGs had increased relative transcription under nutrient-deprivation, as determined by validation tests with R. microplus embryo-derivative cells BME26 and A. sculptum SG explants incubations in HBSS. Starvation lead to 4-31.8× and ~ 60-500× increments on the ATGs mRNA loads in BME26 and A. sculptum SG explants, respectively. PI3K inhibitor 3MA treatment also affected ATGs expression in BME26. Some ATGs were more transcribed in the SGs than in the ovaries of cattle-ticks. Amblyomma sculptum/R. microplus interspecific comparisons showed that ATG4 and ATG6 were 0.18× less expressed in A. sculptum SGs, but ~ 10-100× more expressed in their ovaries when compared to R. microplus organs. ATG4 and ATG8a transcript loads were ~ 120× and ~ 40× higher, respectively, in A. sculptum intestines when compared to cattle-ticks of similar weight category. ATGs expression in A. sculptum intestines increased with tick weight, indicating Atgs contribution to intracellular blood digestion. Possible roles of the autophagy machinery and their organ-specific expression profile on vector biology are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole O Moura-Martiniano
- Laboratório de Genética Molecular de Eucariontes e Simbiontes, Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Erik Machado-Ferreira
- Laboratório de Genética Molecular de Eucariontes e Simbiontes, Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gilberto S Gazêta
- Laboratório de Referência Nacional em Vetores das Riquetsioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carlos Augusto Gomes Soares
- Laboratório de Genética Molecular de Eucariontes e Simbiontes, Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- , Ilha do Fundão, CCS, Bloco A, Lab. A2-120. Rua Professor Rodolpho Paulo Rocco S/N, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-617, Brazil.
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18
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Putative RNA viral sequences detected in an Ixodes scapularis-derived cell line. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 8:103-111. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Revised: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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19
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Bell-Sakyi L, Weisheit S, Rückert C, Barry G, Fazakerley J, Fragkoudis R. Microscopic Visualisation of Zoonotic Arbovirus Replication in Tick Cell and Organ Cultures Using Semliki Forest Virus Reporter Systems. Vet Sci 2016; 3:vetsci3040028. [PMID: 29056736 PMCID: PMC5606593 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci3040028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Revised: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are vectors and reservoirs of many arboviruses pathogenic for humans or domestic animals; in addition, during bloodfeeding they can acquire and harbour pathogenic arboviruses normally transmitted by other arthropods such as mosquitoes. Tick cell and organ cultures provide convenient tools for propagation and study of arboviruses, both tick-borne and insect-borne, enabling elucidation of virus-tick cell interaction and yielding insight into the mechanisms behind vector competence and reservoir potential for different arbovirus species. The mosquito-borne zoonotic alphavirus Semliki Forest virus (SFV), which replicates well in tick cells, has been isolated from Rhipicephalus, Hyalomma, and Amblyomma spp. ticks removed from mammalian hosts in East Africa; however nothing is known about any possible role of ticks in SFV epidemiology. Here we present a light and electron microscopic study of SFV infecting cell lines and organ cultures derived from African Rhipicephalus spp. ticks. As well as demonstrating the applicability of these culture systems for studying virus-vector interactions, we provide preliminary evidence to support the hypothesis that SFV is not normally transmitted by ticks because the virus does not infect midgut cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK.
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
| | - Sabine Weisheit
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK.
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
| | - Claudia Rückert
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK.
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
| | - Gerald Barry
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
| | - John Fazakerley
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK.
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
| | - Rennos Fragkoudis
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK.
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
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Bell-Sakyi L, Attoui H. Virus Discovery Using Tick Cell Lines. Evol Bioinform Online 2016; 12:31-4. [PMID: 27679414 PMCID: PMC5026199 DOI: 10.4137/ebo.s39675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Revised: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
While ticks have been known to harbor and transmit pathogenic arboviruses for over 80 years, the application of high-throughput sequencing technologies has revealed that ticks also appear to harbor a diverse range of endogenous tick-only viruses belonging to many different families. Almost nothing is known about these viruses; indeed, it is unclear in most cases whether the identified viral sequences are derived from actual replication-competent viruses or from endogenous virus elements incorporated into the ticks' genomes. Tick cell lines play an important role in virus discovery and isolation through the identification of novel viruses chronically infecting such cell lines and by acting as host cells to aid in determining whether or not an entire replication-competent, infective virus is present in a sample. Here, we review recent progress in tick-borne virus discovery and comment on the actual and potential applications for tick cell lines in this emerging research area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- Head of The Tick Cell Biobank, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, UK
| | - Houssam Attoui
- Group leader, National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), Department of Animal Health, UMR1161 Virology, INRA-ANSES-ENVA, Maisons Alfort, France
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21
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Koh-Tan HHC, Strachan E, Cooper K, Bell-Sakyi L, Jonsson NN. Identification of a novel β-adrenergic octopamine receptor-like gene (βAOR-like) and increased ATP-binding cassette B10 (ABCB10) expression in a Rhipicephalus microplus cell line derived from acaricide-resistant ticks. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:425. [PMID: 27484910 PMCID: PMC4970269 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1708-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is an economically important parasite of livestock. Effective control of ticks using acaricides is threatened by the emergence of resistance to many existing compounds. Several continuous R. microplus cell lines have been established and provide an under-utilised resource for studies into acaricide targets and potential genetic mutations associated with resistance. As a first step to genetic studies using these resources, this study aimed to determine the presence or absence of two genes and their transcripts that have been linked with acaricide function in cattle ticks: β-adrenergic octopamine receptor (βAOR, associated with amitraz resistance) and ATP-binding cassette B10 (ABCB10, associated with macrocyclic lactone resistance) in six R. microplus cell lines, five other Rhipicephalus spp. cell lines and three cell lines representing other tick genera (Amblyomma variegatum, Ixodes ricinus and Hyalomma anatolicum). Methods End-point polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for detection of the βAOR gene and transcripts in DNA and RNA extracted from the tick cell lines, followed by capillary sequencing of amplicons. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was performed to determine the levels of expression of ABCB10. Results βAOR gene expression was detected in all Rhipicephalus spp. cell lines. We observed a second amplicon of approximately 220 bp for the βAOR gene in the R. microplus cell line BME/CTVM6, derived from acaricide-resistant ticks. Sequencing of this transcript variant identified a 36 bp insertion in the βAOR gene, leading to a 12-amino acid insertion (LLKTLALVTIIS) in the first transmembrane domain of the protein. In addition, nine synonymous SNPs were also discovered in R. appendiculatus, R. evertsi and R. sanguineus cell lines. Some of these SNPs appear to be unique to each species, providing potential tools for differentiating the tick species. The BME/CTVM6 cell line had significantly higher ABCB10 (P = 0.002) expression than the other R. microplus cell lines. Conclusions The present study has identified a new βAOR gene and demonstrated a higher ABCB10 expression level in the BME/CTVM6 cell line, indicating that tick cell lines provide a useful experimental tool for acaricide resistance studies and further elucidation of tick genetics. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1708-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- H H Caline Koh-Tan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, McCall Building, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Erin Strachan
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Katherine Cooper
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK
| | - Nicholas N Jonsson
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, McCall Building, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK.
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Lorusso V, Wijnveld M, Majekodunmi AO, Dongkum C, Fajinmi A, Dogo AG, Thrusfield M, Mugenyi A, Vaumourin E, Igweh AC, Jongejan F, Welburn SC, Picozzi K. Tick-borne pathogens of zoonotic and veterinary importance in Nigerian cattle. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:217. [PMID: 27090756 PMCID: PMC4836144 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1504-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks and tick-borne diseases undermine cattle fitness and productivity in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria. In this West African country, cattle are challenged by numerous tick species, especially during the wet season. Consequently, several TBDs are known to be endemic in Nigerian cattle, including anaplasmosis, babesiosis, cowdriosis and theilerioris (by Theileria mutans and Theileria velifera). To date, all investigations on cattle TBDs in Nigeria have been based on cytological examinations and/or on serological methods. This study aimed to ascertain the occurrence of tick-borne pathogens of veterinary and zoonotic importance in cattle in Nigeria using molecular approaches. METHODS In October 2008, 704 whole blood samples were collected from indigenous cattle in the Plateau State, Nigeria. Analysis for tick-borne pathogens was conducted by means of PCR-based reverse line blotting (RLB) and sequencing targeting a panel of five genera of microorganisms (i.e. Babesia, Theileria, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia spp.). RESULTS In total, 561/704 (82.6%) animals were found infected, with 465 (69.6%) of them being infected by two or more microorganisms, with up to 77 possible combinations of pathogens detected. Theileria mutans was the most prevalent microorganism (66.3%), followed by Theileria velifera (52.4%), Theileria taurotragi (39.5%), Anaplasma marginale (39.1%), Anaplasma sp. (Omatjenne) (34.7%), Babesia bigemina (7.9%), Anaplasma centrale (6.3%), Anaplasma platys (3.9%), Rickettsia massiliae (3.5%), Babesia bovis (2.0%) and Ehrlichia ruminantium (1.1%). Calves were found significantly less infected than juvenile and adult cattle. CONCLUSIONS This study provides updated, molecular-based information on cattle TBDs in Nigeria. The molecular approach employed allowed the diagnosis of numerous positive cases including carrier statuses, multiple infections and novel pathogen detections within the indigenous cattle population. Moreover, the RLB method here described enabled the detection of veterinary agents not only pertaining to bovine health, including also those of zoonotic importance. The high prevalence recorded for T. mutans, T. velifera, A. marginale, T. taurotragi and Anaplasma sp. (Omatjenne), suggests they may be endemically established in Nigeria, whereas the lower prevalence recorded for other microorganisms (i.e. A. centrale and B. bovis) highlights a less stable epidemiological scenario, requiring further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Lorusso
- />Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Michiel Wijnveld
- />Utrecht Centre for Tick-borne Diseases, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ayodele O. Majekodunmi
- />Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Charles Dongkum
- />Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research, VOM, Jos, Plateau Nigeria
| | - Akinyemi Fajinmi
- />Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research, VOM, Jos, Plateau Nigeria
| | - Abraham G. Dogo
- />National Veterinary Research Institute, VOM, Jos, Plateau Nigeria
| | - Michael Thrusfield
- />Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Albert Mugenyi
- />Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Elise Vaumourin
- />Unité d’Épidémiologie Animale, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Centre de recherche de Clermont-Ferrand-Theix, France
| | - Augustine C. Igweh
- />Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research, VOM, Jos, Plateau Nigeria
| | - Frans Jongejan
- />Utrecht Centre for Tick-borne Diseases, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- />Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort 0110, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa
| | - Susan C. Welburn
- />Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kim Picozzi
- />Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Growth of Ehrlichia canis, the causative agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, in vector and non-vector ixodid tick cell lines. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:631-7. [PMID: 26837859 PMCID: PMC4910358 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Revised: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis is caused by Ehrlichia canis, a small gram-negative coccoid bacterium that infects circulating monocytes. The disease is transmitted by the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. and is acknowledged as an important infectious disease of dogs and other members of the family Canidae worldwide. E. canis is routinely cultured in vitro in the canine monocyte-macrophage cell line DH82 and in non-vector Ixodes scapularis tick cell lines, but not in cells derived from its natural vector. Here we report infection and limited propagation of E. canis in the tick cell line RSE8 derived from the vector R. sanguineus s.l., and successful propagation through six passages in a cell line derived from the experimental vector Dermacentor variabilis. In addition, using bacteria semi-purified from I. scapularis cells we attempted to infect a panel of cell lines derived from non-vector species of the tick genera Amblyomma, Dermacentor, Hyalomma, Ixodes and Rhipicephalus with E. canis and, for comparison, the closely-related Ehrlichia ruminantium, causative agent of heartwater in ruminants. Amblyomma and non-vector Dermacentor spp. cell lines appeared refractory to infection with E. canis but supported growth of E. ruminantium, while some, but not all, cell lines derived from Hyalomma, Ixodes and Rhipicephalus spp. ticks supported growth of both pathogens. We also illustrated and compared the ultrastructural morphology of E. canis in DH82, RSE8 and I. scapularis IDE8 cells. This study confirms that E. canis, like E. ruminantium, is able to grow not only in cell lines derived from natural and experimental tick vectors but also in a wide range of other cell lines derived from tick species not known to transmit this pathogen.
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24
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Weisheit S, Villar M, Tykalová H, Popara M, Loecherbach J, Watson M, Růžek D, Grubhoffer L, de la Fuente J, Fazakerley JK, Bell-Sakyi L. Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes ricinus tick cell lines respond to infection with tick-borne encephalitis virus: transcriptomic and proteomic analysis. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:599. [PMID: 26582129 PMCID: PMC4652421 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1210-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ixodid ticks are important vectors of a wide variety of viral, bacterial and protozoan pathogens of medical and veterinary importance. Although several studies have elucidated tick responses to bacteria, little is known about the tick response to viruses. To gain insight into the response of tick cells to flavivirus infection, the transcriptomes and proteomes of two Ixodes spp cell lines infected with the flavivirus tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) were analysed. METHODS RNA and proteins were isolated from the Ixodes scapularis-derived cell line IDE8 and the Ixodes ricinus-derived cell line IRE/CTVM19, mock-infected or infected with TBEV, on day 2 post-infection (p.i.) when virus production was increasing, and on day 6 p.i. when virus production was decreasing. RNA-Seq and mass spectrometric technologies were used to identify changes in abundance of, respectively, transcripts and proteins. Functional analyses were conducted on selected transcripts using RNA interference (RNAi) for gene knockdown in tick cells infected with the closely-related but less pathogenic flavivirus Langat virus (LGTV). RESULTS Differential expression analysis using DESeq resulted in totals of 43 and 83 statistically significantly differentially-expressed transcripts in IDE8 and IRE/CTVM19 cells, respectively. Mass spectrometry detected 76 and 129 statistically significantly differentially-represented proteins in IDE8 and IRE/CTVM19 cells, respectively. Differentially-expressed transcripts and differentially-represented proteins included some that may be involved in innate immune and cell stress responses. Knockdown of the heat-shock proteins HSP90, HSP70 and gp96, the complement-associated protein Factor H and the protease trypsin resulted in increased LGTV replication and production in at least one tick cell line, indicating a possible antiviral role for these proteins. Knockdown of RNAi-associated proteins Argonaute and Dicer, which were included as positive controls, also resulted in increased LGTV replication and production in both cell lines, confirming their role in the antiviral RNAi pathway. CONCLUSIONS This systems biology approach identified several molecules that may be involved in the tick cell innate immune response against flaviviruses and highlighted that ticks, in common with other invertebrate species, have other antiviral responses in addition to RNAi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Weisheit
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, Scotland, EH25 9RG, UK.
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK.
- Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, 0377, Norway.
| | - Margarita Villar
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, Ciudad Real, 13005, Spain.
| | - Hana Tykalová
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia and Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, České Budějovice (Budweis), 37005, Czech Republic.
| | - Marina Popara
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, Ciudad Real, 13005, Spain.
| | - Julia Loecherbach
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, Scotland, EH25 9RG, UK.
| | - Mick Watson
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, Scotland, EH25 9RG, UK.
| | - Daniel Růžek
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia and Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, České Budějovice (Budweis), 37005, Czech Republic.
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, Brno, 62100, Czech Republic.
| | - Libor Grubhoffer
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia and Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, České Budějovice (Budweis), 37005, Czech Republic.
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, Ciudad Real, 13005, Spain.
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA.
| | - John K Fazakerley
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, Scotland, EH25 9RG, UK.
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK.
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Santibáñez S, Portillo A, Palomar AM, Bell-Sakyi L, Romero L, Oteo JA. Isolation and maintenance of Rickettsia raoultii in a Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick cell line. Microbes Infect 2015; 17:866-9. [PMID: 26428859 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2015.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2015] [Revised: 09/12/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Rickettsia raoultii, a member of the spotted fever group rickettsiae, has been implicated in cases of DEBONEL/TIBOLA/SENLAT, and has been detected in Dermacentor spp. and Rhipicephalus pumilio ticks by PCR. R. raoultii has been isolated in mammalian and tick cell lines. This study aimed to isolate R. raoultii from Spanish Dermacentor marginatus in tick cell lines. A single adult D. marginatus collected from vegetation in La Rioja (Northen Spain) in October 2012 was surface-sterilised, triturated and aliquots of the homogenate were inoculated into a panel of tick cell lines derived from embryonic Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus evertsi and Ixodes ricinus. Cultures were maintained at 28 °C with weekly medium changes and checked by Gimenez stain for Rickettsia-like intracellular organisms. After 50 days of incubation, intracellular Rickettsia-like organisms were observed in the R. sanguineus cell line RML-RSE using Gimenez stain. PCR assays and sequencing of fragments of 16S RNA, ompB and ompA genes in DNA extracted from the culture suspension showed 100% identity with R. raoultii. Growth of intracellular microorganisms was not observed in preparations of the other tick cell lines. In conclusion, the tick cell line RML-RSE is a useful system for the isolation and maintenance of R. raoultii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Santibáñez
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | - Aránzazu Portillo
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | - Ana M Palomar
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | | | - Lourdes Romero
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | - José A Oteo
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain.
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26
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Bell-Sakyi L, Palomar AM, Bradford EL, Shkap V. Propagation of the Israeli vaccine strain of Anaplasma centrale in tick cell lines. Vet Microbiol 2015. [PMID: 26210950 PMCID: PMC4540598 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
First in vitro culture system for Anaplasma centrale. A. centrale infected and grew in two out of 32 tick cell lines tested. Potential for safer and more ethical bovine anaplasmosis vaccine.
Anaplasma centrale has been used in cattle as a live blood vaccine against the more pathogenic Anaplasma marginale for over 100 years. While A. marginale can be propagated in vitro in tick cell lines, facilitating studies on antigen production, immunisation and vector-pathogen interaction, to date there has been no in vitro culture system for A. centrale. In the present study, 25 cell lines derived from 13 ixodid tick species were inoculated with the Israeli vaccine strain of A. centrale and monitored for at least 12 weeks by microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained cytocentrifuge smears. Infection of 19 tick cell lines was subsequently attempted by transfer of cell-free supernate from vaccine-inoculated tick cells. In two separate experiments, rickettsial inclusions were detected in cultures of the Rhipicephalus appendiculatus cell line RAE25 28–32 days following inoculation with the vaccine. Presence of A. centrale in the RAE25 cells was confirmed by PCR assays targeting the 16S rRNA, groEL and msp4 genes; sequenced PCR products were 100% identical to published sequences of the respective genes in the Israeli vaccine strain of A. centrale. A. centrale was taken through three subcultures in RAE25 cells over a 30 week period. In a single experiment, the Dermacentor variabilis cell line DVE1 was also detectably infected with A. centrale 11 weeks after inoculation with the vaccine. Availability of an in vitro culture system for A. centrale in tick cells opens up the possibility of generating a safer and more ethical vaccine for bovine anaplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK.
| | - Ana M Palomar
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK; CIBIR, C/ Piqueras, 98, Logroño 26006, Spain.
| | - Emma L Bradford
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK; Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, UK.
| | - Varda Shkap
- Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel.
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27
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Bell-Sakyi L, Palomar AM, Kazimirova M. Isolation and propagation of a Spiroplasma sp. from Slovakian Ixodes ricinus ticks in Ixodes spp. cell lines. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 6:601-6. [PMID: 26003954 PMCID: PMC4518060 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2015] [Revised: 05/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Ixodes spp. ticks are known to occasionally harbour spiroplasmas – helical mycoplasmas in the class Mollicutes; a previous study in Slovakia reported an overall prevalence of Spiroplasma ixodetis of 3% in Ixodes ricinus. In the present study, extracts of unfed adult I. ricinus ticks collected from vegetation in south-western Slovakia were added to a panel of cell lines derived from I. ricinus and Ixodes scapularis embryos. The cultures were monitored by preparation and examination of Giemsa-stained cytocentrifuge smears at intervals over the subsequent 16–18 months. Spiroplasma-like microorganisms were detected in cultures of both tick species after 2–3 months and subcultured onto fresh, uninfected cells of the appropriate cell line up to seven times. Molecular analysis using PCR assays targeting fragments of the 16S rRNA, ITS and rpoB genes confirmed the identity of the microorganisms as a Spiroplasma sp., with between 98.9% and 99.5% similarity to S. ixodetis. The sequences of the spiroplasmas isolated from three different pools of ticks collected on two different occasions were identical for all three genes tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK.
| | - Ana M Palomar
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK; CIBIR, C/Piqueras, 98, Logroño 26006, La Rioja, Spain
| | - Maria Kazimirova
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 84506 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Tuppurainen ESM, Venter EH, Coetzer JAW, Bell-Sakyi L. Lumpy skin disease: attempted propagation in tick cell lines and presence of viral DNA in field ticks collected from naturally-infected cattle. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2014; 6:134-40. [PMID: 25468765 PMCID: PMC4329317 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2014.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Revised: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is of substantial economic importance for the cattle industry in Africa and the Near and Middle East. Several insect species are thought to transmit the disease mechanically. Recent transmission studies have demonstrated the first evidence for a role of hard (ixodid) ticks as vectors of lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV). The aim of this study was to attempt in vitro growth of the virus in Rhipicephalus spp. tick cell lines and investigate in vivo the presence of the virus in ticks collected from cattle during LSD outbreaks in Egypt and South Africa. No evidence was obtained for replication of LSDV in tick cell lines although the virus was remarkably stable, remaining viable for 35 days at 28 °C in tick cell cultures, in growth medium used for tick cells and in phosphate buffered saline. Viral DNA was detected in two-thirds of the 56 field ticks, making this the first report of the presence of potentially virulent LSDV in ticks collected from naturally infected animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- E S M Tuppurainen
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey GU24 0NF, United Kingdom.
| | - E H Venter
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - J A W Coetzer
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - L Bell-Sakyi
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey GU24 0NF, United Kingdom
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29
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Manjunathachar HV, Saravanan BC, Kesavan M, Karthik K, Rathod P, Gopi M, Tamilmahan P, Balaraju BL. Economic importance of ticks and their effective control strategies. ASIAN PACIFIC JOURNAL OF TROPICAL DISEASE 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/s2222-1808(14)60725-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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30
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Schnettler E, Tykalová H, Watson M, Sharma M, Sterken MG, Obbard DJ, Lewis SH, McFarlane M, Bell-Sakyi L, Barry G, Weisheit S, Best SM, Kuhn RJ, Pijlman GP, Chase-Topping ME, Gould EA, Grubhoffer L, Fazakerley JK, Kohl A. Induction and suppression of tick cell antiviral RNAi responses by tick-borne flaviviruses. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:9436-46. [PMID: 25053841 PMCID: PMC4132761 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Arboviruses are transmitted by distantly related arthropod vectors such as mosquitoes (class Insecta) and ticks (class Arachnida). RNA interference (RNAi) is the major antiviral mechanism in arthropods against arboviruses. Unlike in mosquitoes, tick antiviral RNAi is not understood, although this information is important to compare arbovirus/host interactions in different classes of arbovirus vectos. Using an Ixodes scapularis-derived cell line, key Argonaute proteins involved in RNAi and the response against tick-borne Langat virus (Flaviviridae) replication were identified and phylogenetic relationships characterized. Analysis of small RNAs in infected cells showed the production of virus-derived small interfering RNAs (viRNAs), which are key molecules of the antiviral RNAi response. Importantly, viRNAs were longer (22 nucleotides) than those from other arbovirus vectors and mapped at highest frequency to the termini of the viral genome, as opposed to mosquito-borne flaviviruses. Moreover, tick-borne flaviviruses expressed subgenomic flavivirus RNAs that interfere with tick RNAi. Our results characterize the antiviral RNAi response in tick cells including phylogenetic analysis of genes encoding antiviral proteins, and viral interference with this pathway. This shows important differences in antiviral RNAi between the two major classes of arbovirus vectors, and our data broadens our understanding of arthropod antiviral RNAi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Schnettler
- MRC - University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G11 5JR, UK The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Hana Tykalová
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia and Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Mick Watson
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Mayuri Sharma
- Markey Centre for Structural Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette IN 47907, USA
| | - Mark G Sterken
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Darren J Obbard
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Centre for Infection Immunity and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3JT, UK
| | - Samuel H Lewis
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Centre for Infection Immunity and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3JT, UK
| | - Melanie McFarlane
- MRC - University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G11 5JR, UK
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Gerald Barry
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Sabine Weisheit
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Sonja M Best
- Innate Immunity and Pathogenesis Unit, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Richard J Kuhn
- Markey Centre for Structural Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette IN 47907, USA
| | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ernest A Gould
- Unité des Virus Emergents, Faculté de Médicine Timone, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France Centre for Hydrology and Ecology, Maclean Building, Oxon OX10 8BB, UK
| | - Libor Grubhoffer
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia and Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - John K Fazakerley
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Alain Kohl
- MRC - University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G11 5JR, UK The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
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Lorusso V, Gruszka KA, Majekodunmi A, Igweh A, Welburn SC, Picozzi K. Rickettsia africae in Amblyomma variegatum ticks, Uganda and Nigeria. Emerg Infect Dis 2014; 19:1705-7. [PMID: 24050756 PMCID: PMC3810746 DOI: 10.3201/eid1910.130389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Bell-Sakyi L, Attoui H. Endogenous tick viruses and modulation of tick-borne pathogen growth. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2013; 3:25. [PMID: 23875176 PMCID: PMC3709243 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2013.00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2013] [Accepted: 06/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks transmit a wide range of viral, bacterial and protozoan pathogens, many of which can establish persistent infections of lifelong duration in the vector tick and in some cases are transmitted transovarially to the next generation. In addition many ixodid and argasid tick cell lines and, by inference the parent ticks from which they were derived, harbor endogenous viruses (ETV) of which almost nothing is known. In general, low level persistent infections with viral pathogens (arboviruses) are not known to have a deleterious effect on tick survival and fitness, suggesting that they can strike a balance with the tick innate immune response. This tolerance of arbovirus infection may be modulated by the permanent presence of ETV in the host cell. In mosquito cells, temporary or permanent silencing of the genes of an endogenous virus by RNA interference can result in changes in replication rate of a co-infecting arbovirus. We propose that tick cell lines offer a useful model system for in vitro investigation of the modulatory effect of ETV on superinfecting pathogen survival and replication in ticks, using the molecular manipulation techniques applied to insect cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- *Correspondence: Lesley Bell-Sakyi and Houssam Attoui, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK e-mail: ;
| | - Houssam Attoui
- *Correspondence: Lesley Bell-Sakyi and Houssam Attoui, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK e-mail: ;
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Merino O, Alberdi P, Pérez de la Lastra JM, de la Fuente J. Tick vaccines and the control of tick-borne pathogens. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2013; 3:30. [PMID: 23847771 PMCID: PMC3705209 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2013.00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 06/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites that transmit a wide variety of pathogens to humans and animals. The incidence of tick-borne diseases has increased worldwide in both humans and domestic animals over the past years resulting in greater interest in the study of tick-host-pathogen interactions. Advances in vector and pathogen genomics and proteomics have moved forward our knowledge of the vector-pathogen interactions that take place during the colonization and transmission of arthropod-borne microbes. Tick-borne pathogens adapt from the vector to the mammalian host by differential gene expression thus modulating host processes. In recent years, studies have shown that targeting tick proteins by vaccination can not only reduce tick feeding and reproduction, but also the infection and transmission of pathogens from the tick to the vertebrate host. In this article, we review the tick-protective antigens that have been identified for the formulation of tick vaccines and the effect of these vaccines on the control of tick-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Octavio Merino
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM Ciudad Real, Spain
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