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de Albuquerque PMM, Kotál J, Juliano MA, Tirloni L, da Silva Vaz I. In vitro identification of neutralizing epitopes of Rhipicephalus microplus serpin 17 (RmS-17). Vaccine 2024; 42:126161. [PMID: 39060200 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126161] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhipicephalus microplus poses a significant problem for livestock worldwide and is primarily controlled with synthetic acaricides. The continuous use of acaricides results in the selection of resistance and causes environmental harm. Vaccination presents an alternative solution to this problem, although searching for the suitable antigen is still a work in progress. Salivary proteins hold promise for inclusion in vaccine formulation due to their roles in modulating host responses, assisting blood feeding and pathogen transmission. Serpins are a class of proteinase inhibitors and are among the molecules found in tick saliva that modulate host blood coagulation, inflammation, and adaptive immune responses. Previous studies have demonstrated the potential of R. microplus serpin 17 (RmS-17) to interfere with the host's defenses, and antibodies have been shown to neutralize its effects. This makes RmS-17 an putative target for vaccine development. METHODS Epitope mapping of RmS-17 was achieved using in silico approach combining linear B-cell epitope and antigenicity predictor. In addition, epitope mapping using overlapping peptides in an ELISA screening was used. The serpin tridimensional structure and the epitopes spatial location within the molecule were determined. Peptides were synthetized based on the predictions and used for the production of rabbit anti-sera. Purified IgG's were used to assess the antibodies capacity to neutralize RmS-17. RESULTS Through in silico mapping, nine potential B cell epitope regions were screened, with p1RmS-17 and p2RmS-17 selected for the experiment based on antigen prediction. In the ELISA screening using overlapping peptides, eight antibody-binding regions were identified, and p3RmS-17 and p4RmS-17 were chosen. Antibodies raised against p3RmS-17 and p4RmS-17 partially neutralized RmS-17 activity. CONCLUSION It was found that antibodies against a single epitope are sufficient to partially neutralize RmS-17 activity. These findings support the possibility of using an epitope-based vaccine for immunization against R. microplus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Machado Medeiros de Albuquerque
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), RS, Brazil; Tick-Pathogen Transmission Unit, Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Jan Kotál
- Tick-Pathogen Transmission Unit, Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | | | - Lucas Tirloni
- Tick-Pathogen Transmission Unit, Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), RS, Brazil; Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), RS, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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Win SY, Seo H, Horio F, Fujisawa S, Sato J, Motai Y, Sato T, Oishi E, Taneno A, Htun LL, Bawm S, Okagawa T, Maekawa N, Konnai S, Ohashi K, Murata S. In Vivo Characterization of the Anti-Glutathione S-Transferase Antibody Using an In Vitro Mite Feeding Model. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:148. [PMID: 38400132 PMCID: PMC10892040 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12020148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Poultry red mites (Dermanyssus gallinae, PRMs), tropical fowl mites (Ornithonyssus bursa, TFMs), and northern fowl mites (O. sylviarum, NFMs) are blood-feeding pests that debilitate poultry worldwide. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) plays an important role in the detoxification and drug metabolism of mites. However, research on avian mite GSTs as vaccine antigens is still lacking. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the potential of avian mite GSTs for vaccine development. We identified GST genes from TFMs and NFMs. We prepared recombinant GST (rGST) from TFMs, NFMs, and PRMs, and assessed their protein functions. Moreover, we evaluated the cross-reactivity and acaricidal effect of immune plasma against each rGST on TFMs, NFMs, and PRMs. The deduced amino acid sequences of GSTs from TFMs and NFMs were 80% similar to those of the PRMs. The rGSTs exhibited catalytic activity in conjugating glutathione to the 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene substrate. Immune plasma against each rGST showed cross-reactivity with rGST from different mite species. Moreover, the survival rate of PRMs fed with immune plasma against the rGST of TFMs and NFMs was significantly lower than that of the control plasma. These results demonstrate the potential application of GST as an antigen for the development of a broad-spectrum vaccine against avian mites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shwe Yee Win
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-18, Nishi-9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Hikari Seo
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-18, Nishi-9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Fumiya Horio
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-18, Nishi-9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Sotaro Fujisawa
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-18, Nishi-9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Jumpei Sato
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-18, Nishi-9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Yoshinosuke Motai
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-18, Nishi-9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Takumi Sato
- Vaxxinova Japan K.K., 1-24-8 Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0013, Japan
| | - Eiji Oishi
- Vaxxinova Japan K.K., 1-24-8 Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0013, Japan
| | - Akira Taneno
- Vaxxinova Japan K.K., 1-24-8 Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0013, Japan
| | - Lat Lat Htun
- Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar
| | - Saw Bawm
- Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar
- Department of Livestock and Aquaculture Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar
| | - Tomohiro Okagawa
- Department of Advanced Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-18, Nishi-9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Naoya Maekawa
- Department of Advanced Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-18, Nishi-9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Satoru Konnai
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-18, Nishi-9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
- Department of Advanced Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-18, Nishi-9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
- Institute for Vaccine Research and Development (GU-IVReD), Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Ohashi
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-18, Nishi-9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
- Department of Advanced Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-18, Nishi-9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
- International Affairs Office, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-18, Nishi-9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Shiro Murata
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-18, Nishi-9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
- Department of Advanced Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-18, Nishi-9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
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Kozelková T, Dyčka F, Lu S, Urbanová V, Frantová H, Sojka D, Šíma R, Horn M, Perner J, Kopáček P. Insight Into the Dynamics of the Ixodes ricinus Nymphal Midgut Proteome. Mol Cell Proteomics 2023; 22:100663. [PMID: 37832788 PMCID: PMC10665701 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2023.100663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks are ectoparasites that feed on blood and have an impressive ability to consume and process enormous amounts of host blood, allowing extremely long periods of starvation between blood meals. The central role in the parasitic lifestyle of ticks is played by the midgut. This organ efficiently stores and digests ingested blood and serves as the primary interface for the transmission of tick-borne pathogens. In this study, we used a label-free quantitative approach to perform a novel dynamic proteomic analysis of the midgut of Ixodesricinus nymphs, covering their development from unfed to pre-molt stages. We identified 1534 I. ricinus-specific proteins with a relatively low proportion of host proteins. This proteome dataset, which was carefully examined by manual scrutiny, allowed precise annotation of proteins important for blood meal processing and their dynamic changes during nymphal ontogeny. We focused on midgut molecules related to lipid hydrolysis, storage, and transport, opening a yet unexplored avenue for studying lipid metabolism in ticks. Further dynamic profiling of the tick's multi-enzyme digestive network, protease inhibitors, enzymes involved in redox homeostasis and detoxification, antimicrobial peptides, and proteins responsible for midgut colonization by Borrelia spirochetes promises to uncover new targets for targeting tick nymphs, the most critical life stage for transmission the pathogens that cause tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Kozelková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Dyčka
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Stephen Lu
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Veronika Urbanová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Helena Frantová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Sojka
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Šíma
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Bioptic Laboratory, Ltd, Plzen, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Horn
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Perner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
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Parizi LF, Githaka NW, Logullo C, Zhou J, Onuma M, Termignoni C, da Silva Vaz I. Universal Tick Vaccines: Candidates and Remaining Challenges. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2031. [PMID: 37370541 DOI: 10.3390/ani13122031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advancements in molecular biology, particularly regarding massively parallel sequencing technologies, have enabled scientists to gain more insight into the physiology of ticks. While there has been progress in identifying tick proteins and the pathways they are involved in, the specificities of tick-host interaction at the molecular level are not yet fully understood. Indeed, the development of effective commercial tick vaccines has been slower than expected. While omics studies have pointed to some potential vaccine immunogens, selecting suitable antigens for a multi-antigenic vaccine is very complex due to the participation of redundant molecules in biological pathways. The expansion of ticks and their pathogens into new territories and exposure to new hosts makes it necessary to evaluate vaccine efficacy in unusual and non-domestic host species. This situation makes ticks and tick-borne diseases an increasing threat to animal and human health globally, demanding an urgent availability of vaccines against multiple tick species and their pathogens. This review discusses the challenges and advancements in the search for universal tick vaccines, including promising new antigen candidates, and indicates future directions in this crucial research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Fernando Parizi
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 91501-970, Brazil
| | | | - Carlos Logullo
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-853, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-853, Brazil
| | - Jinlin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Misao Onuma
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Carlos Termignoni
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 91501-970, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-853, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 91501-970, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-853, Brazil
- Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 91540-000, Brazil
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The current strategies and underlying mechanisms in the control of the vector tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis: Implications for future integrated management. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101905. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Song R, Zhai X, Fan X, Li Y, Ge T, Li C, Li M, He W, Zheng H, Gan L, Zhang Y, Chahan B. Prediction and validation of cross-protective candidate antigen of Hyalomma asiaticum cathepsin L between H. asiaticum and H. anatolicum. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2022; 86:283-298. [PMID: 35133525 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-022-00689-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Hyalomma asiaticum and H. anatolicum are tick species in Eurasia and Africa with major medical and veterinary significance. Beside their direct pathogenic effects, H. asiaticum and H. anatolicum are vectors of important diseases of livestock and in some instances of zoonoses. In search of ways to address the increasing incidence of global acaricide resistance, tick control through vaccination is regarded as a sustainable alternative approach. Cathepsin L-like cysteine protease (CPL) is a potent hemoglobinase, and plays important roles in the digestion of blood acquired from a host. CPL from H. anatolicum (HanCPL) with high similarity (> 90%) for H. asiaticum CPL (HasCPL) were aligned by in silico analysis. After further in vitro validation, the anti-HasCPL sera have cross-reactivity between the different total native protein of life stages and tissues for H. asiaticum and H. anatolicum. Furthermore, we further confirmed that recombinant HasCPL (rHasCPL) immunized rabbits were partially cross-protected (54.8%) by H. anatolicum infestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqi Song
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832002, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
- Parasitology Laboratory, Veterinary College, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Xuejie Zhai
- Parasitology Laboratory, Veterinary College, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Xinli Fan
- Parasitology Laboratory, Veterinary College, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Yongchang Li
- Parasitology Laboratory, Veterinary College, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Ting Ge
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832002, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Caishan Li
- Parasitology Laboratory, Veterinary College, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Min Li
- Parasitology Laboratory, Veterinary College, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Wenwen He
- Parasitology Laboratory, Veterinary College, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Huizhen Zheng
- Parasitology Laboratory, Veterinary College, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Lu Gan
- Parasitology Laboratory, Veterinary College, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Parasitology Laboratory, Veterinary College, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bayin Chahan
- Parasitology Laboratory, Veterinary College, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
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Ndawula C. From Bench to Field: A Guide to Formulating and Evaluating Anti-Tick Vaccines Delving beyond Efficacy to Effectiveness. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9101185. [PMID: 34696291 PMCID: PMC8539545 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9101185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks are ubiquitous blood-sucking ectoparasites capable of transmitting a wide range of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi to animals and humans. Although the use of chemicals (acaricides) is the predominant method of tick-control, there are increasing incidents of acaricide tick resistance. Furthermore, there are concerns over accumulation of acaricide residues in meat, milk and in the environment. Therefore, alternative methods of tick-control have been proposed, of which anti-tick cattle vaccination is regarded as sustainable and user-friendly. Over the years, tremendous progress has been made in identifying and evaluating novel candidate tick vaccines, yet none of them have reached the global market. Until now, Bm86-based vaccines (Gavac™ in Cuba and TickGARDPLUS™ Australia-ceased in 2010) are still the only globally commercialized anti-tick vaccines. In contrast to Bm86, often, the novel candidate anti-tick vaccines show a lower protection efficacy. Why is this so? In response, herein, the potential bottlenecks to formulating efficacious anti-tick vaccines are examined. Aside from Bm86, the effectiveness of other anti-tick vaccines is rarely assessed. So, how can the researchers assess anti-tick vaccine effectiveness before field application? The approaches that are currently used to determine anti-tick vaccine efficacy are re-examined in this review. In addition, a model is proposed to aid in assessing anti-tick vaccine effectiveness. Finally, based on the principles for the development of general veterinary vaccines, a pipeline is proposed to guide in the development of anti-tick vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Ndawula
- National Agricultural Research Organization, P.O. Box 295, Entebbe, Wakiso 256, Uganda;
- National Livestock Resources Research Institute, Vaccinology Research Programme, P.O. Box 5704, Nakyesasa, Wakiso 256, Uganda
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Ma Y, Hao Y, Li M, Hu Z, Song R, Wei L, Fan S, Chen S, Fan X, Zhai X, Guo Q, Bayin C. Sequence identification and expression profile of seven Dermacentor marginatus glutathione S-transferase genes. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 82:295-308. [PMID: 32995924 PMCID: PMC7524029 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00546-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Dermacentor marginatus is a widespread tick species and a vector of many pathogens in Eurasia. Due to the medical importance of D. marginatus, control measures are needed for this tick species. Currently tick control approaches rely mostly on acaricide application, whereas wrong and irrational acaricide use may result in drug resistance and residue problems. Vaccination as an alternative approach for tick control has been proven to be effective towards some tick species. However, immunization against D. marginatus has not yet reached satisfactory protection. The effort of in silico based analysis could predict antigenicity and identify candidates for anti-tick vaccine development. We carried out an in silico analysis of D. marginatus glutathione S-transferases (DmGSTs) in order to identify blood-feeding induced GSTs as antigens that can be used in anti-tick vaccine development. Phylogenetic analysis, linear B-cell epitope prediction, homology modeling, and conformational B-cell epitope mapping on the GST models were performed to identify highly antigenic DmGSTs. Relative gene expressions of the seven GSTs were profiled through real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) to outline GSTs up-regulated during blood feeding. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the seven GSTs belonged to four classes of GST, including one in epsilon-class, one in zeta-class, one in omega-class, and four in mu-class. Linear B-cell epitope prediction revealed mu-class GSTs share similar conserved antigenic regions. The conformational B-cell epitope mapped on the homology model of the GSTs displayed that GSTs of mu-class showed stronger antigenicity than that of other classes. RT-qPCR revealed DmGSTM1 and DmGSTM2 were positively related to blood feeding. In sum, the data suggest that DmGSTM1 and DmGSTM2 could be tested for potential anti-tick vaccine trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, No.311 Nongda Road, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yunwei Hao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, No.311 Nongda Road, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China
| | - Min Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, No.311 Nongda Road, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China
| | - Zhengxiang Hu
- Bayingol Vocational and Technical College, Korla, 841000, Xinjiang, China
| | - Ruiqi Song
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, No.311 Nongda Road, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China
| | - Liting Wei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, No.311 Nongda Road, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China
| | - Shilong Fan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, No.311 Nongda Road, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China
| | - Songqin Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, No.311 Nongda Road, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China
| | - Xinli Fan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, No.311 Nongda Road, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China
| | - Xuejie Zhai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, No.311 Nongda Road, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China
| | - Qingyong Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, No.311 Nongda Road, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China.
| | - Chahan Bayin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, No.311 Nongda Road, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China.
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Ndawula C, Tabor AE. Cocktail Anti-Tick Vaccines: The Unforeseen Constraints and Approaches toward Enhanced Efficacies. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E457. [PMID: 32824962 PMCID: PMC7564958 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8030457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are second to mosquitoes as vectors of disease. Ticks affect livestock industries in Asia, Africa and Australia at ~$1.13 billion USD per annum. For instance, 80% of the global cattle population is at risk of infestation by the Rhipicephalus microplus species-complex, which in 2016 was estimated to cause $22-30 billion USD annual losses. Although the management of tick populations mainly relies on the application of acaricides, this raises concerns due to tick resistance and accumulation of chemical residues in milk, meat, and the environment. To counteract acaricide-resistant tick populations, immunological tick control is regarded among the most promising sustainable strategies. Indeed, immense efforts have been devoted toward identifying tick vaccine antigens. Until now, Bm86-based vaccines have been the most effective under field conditions, but they have shown mixed success worldwide. Currently, of the two Bm86 vaccines commercialized in the 1990s (GavacTM in Cuba and TickGARDPLUSTM in Australia), only GavacTM is available. There is thus growing consensus that combining antigens could broaden the protection range and enhance the efficacies of tick vaccines. Yet, the anticipated outcomes have not been achieved under field conditions. Therefore, this review demystifies the potential limitations and proposes ways of sustaining enhanced cocktail tick vaccine efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Ndawula
- Vaccinology Research program, National Livestock Resources Research Institute, P O. Box 5746, Nakyesasa 256, Uganda
| | - Ala E. Tabor
- Centre for Animal Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, The University of Queensland Australia, St Lucia 4072, Queensland, Australia
- School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia 4072, Queensland, Australia
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