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Artigas-Jerónimo S, Villar M, Estrada-Peña A, Alberdi P, de la Fuente J. Subolesin knockdown in tick cells provides insights into vaccine protective mechanisms. Vaccine 2024; 42:2801-2809. [PMID: 38508929 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.03.006] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Ticks as obligate blood-feeding arthropod vectors of pathogenic viruses, bacteria, protozoa and helminths associated with prevalent tick-borne diseases (TBDs) worldwide. These arthropods constitute the second vector after mosquitoes that transmit pathogens to humans and the first vector in domestic animals. Vaccines constitute the safest and more effective approach to control tick infestations and TBDs, but research is needed to identify new antigens and improve vaccine formulations. The tick protein Subolesin (Sub) is a well-known vaccine protective antigen with a highly conserved sequence at both gene and protein levels in the Ixodidae and among arthropods and vertebrates. In this study, transcriptomics and proteomics analyses were conducted together with graph theory data analysis in wild type and Sub knockdown (KD) tick ISE6 cells in order to identify and characterize the functional implications of Sub in tick cells. The results support a key role for Sub in the regulation of gene expression in ticks and the relevance of this antigen in vaccine development against ticks and TBDs. Proteins with differential representation in response to Sub KD provide insights into vaccine protective mechanisms and candidate tick protective antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Artigas-Jerónimo
- Biochemistry Section, Faculty of Science and Chemical Technologies, University of Castilla- La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Margarita Villar
- Biochemistry Section, Faculty of Science and Chemical Technologies, University of Castilla- La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain; SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | | | - Pilar Alberdi
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain; Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
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Sang MK, Patnaik HH, Park JE, Song DK, Jeong JY, Hong CE, Kim YT, Shin HJ, Ziwei L, Hwang HJ, Park SY, Kang SW, Park SH, Cha SJ, Ko JH, Shin EH, Park HS, Jo YH, Han YS, Patnaik BB, Lee YS. Transcriptome analysis of Haemaphysalis flava female using Illumina HiSeq 4000 sequencing: de novo assembly, functional annotation and discovery of SSR markers. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:367. [PMID: 37848984 PMCID: PMC10583488 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05923-w] [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: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks are ectoparasites capable of directly damaging their hosts and transmitting vector-borne diseases. The ixodid tick Haemaphysalis flava has a broad distribution that extends from East to South Asia. This tick is a reservoir of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) that causes severe hemorrhagic disease, with cases reported from China, Japan and South Korea. Recently, the distribution of H. flava in South Korea was found to overlap with the occurrence of SFTSV. METHODS This study was undertaken to discover the molecular resources of H. flava female ticks using the Illumina HiSeq 4000 system, the Trinity de novo sequence assembler and annotation against public databases. The locally curated Protostome database (PANM-DB) was used to screen the putative adaptation-related transcripts classified to gene families, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme, aquaporin, adenylate cyclase, AMP-activated protein kinase, glutamate receptors, heat shock proteins, molecular chaperones, insulin receptor, mitogen-activated protein kinase and solute carrier family proteins. Also, the repeats and simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were screened from the unigenes using RepeatMasker (v4.0.6) and MISA (v1.0) software tools, followed by the designing of SSRs flanking primers using BatchPrimer 3 (v1.0) software. RESULTS The transcriptome produced a total of 69,822 unigenes, of which 46,175 annotated to the homologous proteins in the PANM-DB. The unigenes were also mapped to the EuKaryotic Orthologous Groups (KOG), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) specializations. Promiscuous presence of protein kinase, zinc finger (C2H2-type), reverse transcriptase, and RNA recognition motif domains was observed in the unigenes. A total of 3480 SSRs were screened, of which 1907 and 1274 were found as tri- and dinucleotide repeats, respectively. A list of primer sequences flanking the SSR motifs was detailed for validation of polymorphism in H. flava and the related tick species. CONCLUSIONS The reference transcriptome information on H. flava female ticks will be useful for an enriched understanding of tick biology, its competency to act as a vector and the study of species diversity related to disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Kyu Sang
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
- Research Support Center for Bio-Bigdata Analysis and Utilization of Biological Resources, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - Hongray Howrelia Patnaik
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - Jie Eun Park
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
- Research Support Center for Bio-Bigdata Analysis and Utilization of Biological Resources, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - Dae Kwon Song
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
- Research Support Center for Bio-Bigdata Analysis and Utilization of Biological Resources, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - Jun Yang Jeong
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - Chan Eui Hong
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - Yong Tae Kim
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - Hyeon Jun Shin
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - Liu Ziwei
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - Hee Ju Hwang
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - So Young Park
- Biodiversity Research Team, Animal & Plant Research Department, Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources, Sangju, Gyeongbuk, South Korea
| | - Se Won Kang
- Biological Resource Center (BRC), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup, Jeonbuk, South Korea
| | - Seung-Hwan Park
- Biological Resource Center (BRC), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup, Jeonbuk, South Korea
| | - Sung-Jae Cha
- Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jung Ho Ko
- Police Science Institute, Korean National Police University, Asan, Chungnam, 31539, South Korea
| | - E Hyun Shin
- Research Institute, Korea Pest Control Association, Seoul, 08501, South Korea
| | - Hong Seog Park
- Research Institute, GnC BIO Co., LTD., 621-6 Banseok-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34069, South Korea
| | - Yong Hun Jo
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - Yeon Soo Han
- College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea
| | - Bharat Bhusan Patnaik
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Chungnam, South Korea
- PG Department of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Fakir Mohan University, Nuapadhi, Balasore , Odisha, 756089, India
| | - Yong Seok Lee
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea.
- Research Support Center for Bio-Bigdata Analysis and Utilization of Biological Resources, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea.
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Chungnam, South Korea.
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Rodríguez-Durán A, Ullah S, Parizi LF, Ali A, da Silva Vaz Junior I. Rabbits as Animal Models for Anti-Tick Vaccine Development: A Global Scenario. Pathogens 2023; 12:1117. [PMID: 37764925 PMCID: PMC10536012 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies evaluating candidate tick-derived proteins as anti-tick vaccines in natural hosts have been limited due to high costs. To overcome this problem, animal models are used in immunization tests. The aim of this article was to review the use of rabbits as an experimental model for the evaluation of tick-derived proteins as vaccines. A total of 57 tick proteins were tested for their immunogenic potential using rabbits as models for vaccination. The most commonly used rabbit breeds were New Zealand (73.8%), Japanese white (19%), Californians (4.8%) and Flemish lop-eared (2.4%) rabbits. Anti-tick vaccines efficacy resulted in up to 99.9%. Haemaphysalis longicornis (17.9%) and Ornithodoros moubata (12.8%) were the most common tick models in vaccination trials. Experiments with rabbits have revealed that some proteins (CoAQP, OeAQP, OeAQP1, Bm86, GST-Hl, 64TRP, serpins and voraxin) can induce immune responses against various tick species. In addition, in some cases it was possible to determine that the vaccine efficacy in rabbits was similar to that of experiments performed on natural hosts (e.g., Bm86, IrFER2, RmFER2, serpins and serine protease inhibitor). In conclusion, results showed that prior to performing anti-tick vaccination trials using natural hosts, rabbits can be used as suitable experimental models for these studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arlex Rodríguez-Durán
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande de Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil; (A.R.-D.); (S.U.); (L.F.P.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande de Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9090, Porto Alegre 91540-000, RS, Brazil
- Grupo de Investigación Parasitología Veterinaria, Laboratorio de Parasitología Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 45 No. 26-85, Bogotá 110911, Colombia
| | - Shafi Ullah
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande de Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil; (A.R.-D.); (S.U.); (L.F.P.)
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan;
| | - Luís Fernando Parizi
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande de Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil; (A.R.-D.); (S.U.); (L.F.P.)
| | - Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan;
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz Junior
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande de Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil; (A.R.-D.); (S.U.); (L.F.P.)
- Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande de Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9090, Porto Alegre 91540-000, RS, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro 21941-853, RJ, Brazil
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Co-Immunization Efficacy of Recombinant Antigens against Rhipicephalus microplus and Hyalomma anatolicum Tick Infestations. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12030433. [PMID: 36986356 PMCID: PMC10058648 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The immunoprophylactic management of ticks is the most effective option to control tick infestations and counter spread the acaricide resistance problem worldwide. Several researchers reported an inconsistent efficacy of the single antigen-based immunization of hosts against different tick species. In the present study, to develop a multi-target immunization protocol, proteins from Rhipicephalus microplus BM86 and Hyalomma anatolicum subolesin (SUB) and tropomyosin (TPM) were targeted to evaluate the cross-protective potential. The sequence identities of the BM86, SUB, and TPM coding genes amongst Indian tick isolates of targeted species were 95.6–99.8%, 98.7–99.6%, and 98.9–99.9%, respectively, while at the predicted amino acid level, the identities were 93.2 to 99.5, 97.6 to 99.4, and 98.2 to 99.3%. The targeted genes were expressed in the eukaryotic expression system, pKLAC2-Kluyveromyces lactis, and 100 µg each of purified recombinant protein (Bm86-89 kDa, SUB-21 kDa, and TPM-36 kDa) mixed with adjuvant was injected individually through the intramuscular route at different sites of the body on days 0, 30, and 60 to immunize cross-bred cattle. Post-immunization, a statistically significant (p < 0.001) antibody response (IgG, IgG1, and IgG2) in comparison to the control, starting from 15 to 140 days, against each antigen was recorded. Following multi-antigen immunization, the animals were challenged twice with the larvae of R. microplus and H. anatolicum and theadults of H. anatolicum, and a significant vaccine efficacy of 87.2% and 86.2% against H. anatolicum larvae and adults, respectively, and 86.7% against R. microplus was obtained. The current study provides significant support to develop a multi-antigen vaccine against cattle tick species.
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Abbas MN, Jmel MA, Mekki I, Dijkgraaf I, Kotsyfakis M. Recent Advances in Tick Antigen Discovery and Anti-Tick Vaccine Development. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:4969. [PMID: 36902400 PMCID: PMC10003026 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks can seriously affect human and animal health around the globe, causing significant economic losses each year. Chemical acaricides are widely used to control ticks, which negatively impact the environment and result in the emergence of acaricide-resistant tick populations. A vaccine is considered as one of the best alternative approaches to control ticks and tick-borne diseases, as it is less expensive and more effective than chemical controls. Many antigen-based vaccines have been developed as a result of current advances in transcriptomics, genomics, and proteomic techniques. A few of these (e.g., Gavac® and TickGARD®) are commercially available and are commonly used in different countries. Furthermore, a significant number of novel antigens are being investigated with the perspective of developing new anti-tick vaccines. However, more research is required to develop new and more efficient antigen-based vaccines, including on assessing the efficiency of various epitopes against different tick species to confirm their cross-reactivity and their high immunogenicity. In this review, we discuss the recent advancements in the development of antigen-based vaccines (traditional and RNA-based) and provide a brief overview of recent discoveries of novel antigens, along with their sources, characteristics, and the methods used to test their efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Nadeem Abbas
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Mohamed Amine Jmel
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Imen Mekki
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Ingrid Dijkgraaf
- Department of Biochemistry, CARIM, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Michail Kotsyfakis
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
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Transmission Cycle of Tick-Borne Infections and Co-Infections, Animal Models and Diseases. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11111309. [PMID: 36365060 PMCID: PMC9696261 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne pathogens such as species of Borrelia, Babesia, Anaplasma, Rickettsia, and Ehrlichia are widespread in the United States and Europe among wildlife, in passerines as well as in domestic and farm animals. Transmission of these pathogens occurs by infected ticks during their blood meal, carnivorism, and through animal bites in wildlife, whereas humans can become infected either by an infected tick bite, through blood transfusion and in some cases, congenitally. The reservoir hosts play an important role in maintaining pathogens in nature and facilitate transmission of individual pathogens or of multiple pathogens simultaneously to humans through ticks. Tick-borne co-infections were first reported in the 1980s in white-footed mice, the most prominent reservoir host for causative organisms in the United States, and they are becoming a major concern for public health now. Various animal infection models have been used extensively to better understand pathogenesis of tick-borne pathogens and to reveal the interaction among pathogens co-existing in the same host. In this review, we focus on the prevalence of these pathogens in different reservoir hosts, animal models used to investigate their pathogenesis and host responses they trigger to understand diseases in humans. We also documented the prevalence of these pathogens as correlating with the infected ticks’ surveillance studies. The association of tick-borne co-infections with other topics such as pathogens virulence factors, host immune responses as they relate to diseases severity, identification of vaccine candidates, and disease economic impact are also briefly addressed here.
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Kasaija PD, Contreras M, Kabi F, Mugerwa S, Garrido JM, Gortazar C, de la Fuente J. Oral vaccine formulation combining tick Subolesin with heat inactivated mycobacteria provides control of cross-species cattle tick infestations. Vaccine 2022; 40:4564-4573. [PMID: 35728991 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.06.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tick vaccines are necessary as part of a One Health approach for the control of tick infestations and tick-borne diseases. Subolesin (SUB, also known as 4D8) is a tick protective antigen that has shown efficacy in vaccine formulations for the control of ectoparasite infestations and pathogen infection/transmission. A recent proof-of-concept study reported oral vaccination combining Rhipicephalus microplus SUB with heat inactivated Mycobacterium bovis (IV) as an immunostimulant for the control of cattle tick infestations. Based on the efficacy of Rhipicephalus decoloratus SUB for the control of multiple cattle tick species in Uganda, herein we design a controlled pen trial using an oral formulation combining R. decoloratus SUB with IV for the control of R. decoloratus and Rhipicephalus appendiculatus cattle tick infestations. Vaccine efficacy (E) of SUB + IV on tick life cycle was compared with IV and SUB alone and with PBS as control. The IgG antibody titers against SUB and M. bovis P22 and the serum levels of selected protein immune biomarkers (IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, C3) were determined and analyzed as possible correlates of protection. Oral immunization with IV and SUB alone and in SUB + IV combination were effective for the control of tick infestations (E = 71-96% for R. decoloratus and 87-99% for R. appendiculatus) with highest E (higher than 95%) for SUB + IV. The results demonstrated that oral immunization with the SUB + IV formulation resulted in effective control of cattle tick infestations through the activation of multiple immune mechanisms. These results support the application of oral vaccine formulations with SUB + IV for the control of cattle infestations with Rhipicephalus species towards improving animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D Kasaija
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain; National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI/NARO), P.O. Box 5704, Wakiso District, Uganda
| | - Marinela Contreras
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Fredrick Kabi
- National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI/NARO), P.O. Box 5704, Wakiso District, Uganda
| | - Swidiq Mugerwa
- National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI/NARO), P.O. Box 5704, Wakiso District, Uganda
| | - Joseba M Garrido
- NEIKER-Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, Animal Health Department, Bizkaia Science and Technology Park 812L, 48160 Derio (Bizkaia), Spain
| | - Christian Gortazar
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain; Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
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Pérez-Sánchez R, Cano-Argüelles AL, González-Sánchez M, Oleaga A. First Data on Ornithodoros moubata Aquaporins: Structural, Phylogenetic and Immunogenic Characterisation as Vaccine Targets. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11060694. [PMID: 35745548 PMCID: PMC9227307 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11060694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Ornithodoros moubata transmits African swine fever and human relapsing fever in Africa. The elimination of O. moubata populations from anthropic environments is expected to improve the prevention and control of these diseases. Tick vaccines have emerged as a sustainable method for tick control, and tick aquaporins (AQPs) are promising targets for tick vaccines due to their vital functions, immunogenicity and ease of access by neutralising host antibodies. This study aimed at the systematic identification of the AQPs expressed by O. moubata (OmAQPs) and their characterisation as vaccine targets. Therefore, AQP coding sequences were recovered from available transcriptomic datasets, followed by PCR amplification, cloning, sequence verification and the analysis of the AQP protein structure and epitope exposure. Seven OmAQPs were identified and characterised: six were aquaglyceroporins, and one was a water-specific aquaporin. All of these were expressed in the salivary glands and midgut and only three in the coxal glands. Epitope exposure analysis identified three extracellular domains in each AQP, which concentrate overlapping B and T cell epitopes, making them interesting vaccine targets. Based on these domain sequences, a set of ten antigenic peptides was designed, which showed adequate properties to be produced and tested in pilot vaccine trials.
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Niu Q, Hao R, Pan Y, Liu Z, Yang J, Guan G, Luo J, Yin H. Molecular Characterization and Gene Expression Analysis of Aquaporin in Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis. Front Physiol 2022; 13:811628. [PMID: 35250616 PMCID: PMC8891643 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.811628] [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: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are important functional proteins and are widely present in the cell membrane of almost all organisms, mediating transmembrane transport of liquid and other solutes. Much is known about the molecular characterization of AQPs in other tick species; however, nothing is known about them in Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis. In this study, we first sequenced the transcript variants of AQPs in H. qinghaiensis (HqAQPs), analyzed the biological structure features of AQPs, and investigated the pattern of gene expression of the AQP gene of H. qinghaiensis in different tick tissues and stages to predict their biological functions. In conclusion, four AQP transcript variants (i.e., HqAQP1-1, HqAQP1-2, HqAQP1-3, and HqAQP1-4) of H. qinghaiensis were found, and the sequences were comparable with its orthologs from the reported tick species. Gene expression of AQPs in different tick tissues and stages showed the higher expression level in salivary glands and gut of adult female, as well as in the female and nymph than in Malpighian tubules, ovary, male, larvae, and egg. Further studies will be performed to evaluate the function of HqAQPs against H. qinghaiensis infestation on animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingli Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Qingli Niu,
| | - Rongzeng Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yuping Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhijie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jifei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Guiquan Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jianxun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hong Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Hong Yin,
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10
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Scoles GA, Hussein HE, Olds CL, Mason KL, Davis SK. Vaccination of cattle with synthetic peptides corresponding to predicted extracellular domains of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus aquaporin 2 reduced the number of ticks feeding to repletion. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:49. [PMID: 35135602 PMCID: PMC8822678 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05166-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There have been ongoing efforts to identify anti-tick vaccine targets to protect cattle from infestation with cattle fever ticks Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Two commercial vaccines based on the tick gut protein Bm86 have had variable effectiveness, which has led to poor acceptance, and numerous studies have attempted to identify vaccine antigens that will provide more consistently effective protection. Transcriptomic analysis of R. microplus led to identification of three aquaporin genes annotated to code for transmembrane proteins involved in the transport of water across cell membranes. Previous work showed that vaccination with full-length recombinant aquaporin 1 (RmAQP1) reduced tick burdens on cattle. Targeted silencing of aquaporin 2 (RmAQP2) expression suggested it might also be a good anti-tick vaccination target. Methods Three synthetic peptides from the predicted extracellular domains of RmAQP2 were used to vaccinate cattle. Peptides were conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) as an antigenic carrier molecule. We monitored the antibody response with ELISA and challenged vaccinated cattle with R. microplus larvae. Results There was a 25% reduction overall in the numbers of ticks feeding to repletion on the vaccinated cattle. Immune sera from vaccinated cattle recognized native tick proteins on a western blot and reacted to the three individual synthetic peptides in an ELISA. The vaccinated calf with the highest total IgG titer was not the most effective at controlling ticks; ratios of IgG isotypes 1 and 2 differed greatly among the three vaccinated cattle; the calf with the highest IgG1/IgG2 ratio had the fewest ticks. Ticks on vaccinated cattle had significantly greater replete weights compared to ticks on controls, mirroring results seen with RNA silencing of RmAQP2. However, protein data could not confirm that vaccination had any impact on the ability of the tick to concentrate its blood meal by removing water. Conclusions A reduced number of ticks feed successfully on cattle vaccinated to produce antibodies against the extracellular domains of RmAQP2. However, our predicted mechanism, that antibody binding blocks the ability of RmAQP2 to move water out of the blood meal, could not be confirmed. Further study will be required to define the mechanism of action and to determine whether these vaccine targets will be useful components of an anti-tick vaccine cocktail. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05166-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glen A Scoles
- USDA-ARS, Animal Disease Research Unit, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA. .,Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA. .,USDA-ARS, Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Lab, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, MD, USA.
| | - Hala E Hussein
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.,Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Cassandra L Olds
- Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA.,Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Kathleen L Mason
- USDA-ARS, Animal Disease Research Unit, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Sara K Davis
- USDA-ARS, Animal Disease Research Unit, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
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11
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van Oosterwijk JG, Wikel SK. Resistance to Ticks and the Path to Anti-Tick and Transmission Blocking Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:725. [PMID: 34358142 PMCID: PMC8310300 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9070725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The medical and veterinary public health importance of ticks and tick-borne pathogens is increasing due to the expansion of the geographic ranges of both ticks and pathogens, increasing tick populations, growing incidence of tick-borne diseases, emerging tick transmitted pathogens, and continued challenges of achieving effective and sustained tick control. The past decades show an increasing interest in the immune-mediated control of tick infestations and pathogen transmission through the use of vaccines. Bovine tick resistance induced by repeated infestations was reported over a century ago. This review addresses the phenomena and immunological underpinning of resistance to tick infestation by livestock and laboratory animals; the scope of tick countermeasures to host immune defenses; and the impact of genomics, functional genomics, and proteomics on dissecting complex tick-host-pathogen interactions. From early studies utilizing tick tissue extracts to salivary gland derived molecules and components of physiologically important pathways in tick gut and other tissues, an increased understanding of these relationships, over time, impacted the evolution of anti-tick vaccine antigen selection. Novel antigens continue to emerge, including increased interest in the tick microbiome. Anti-tick and transmission blocking vaccines targeting pathogen reservoirs have the potential to disrupt enzootic cycles and reduce human, companion, domestic animal, and wildlife exposure to infected ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephen K. Wikel
- US Biologic Inc., 20 Dudley Street, Memphis, TN 38103, USA;
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT 06518, USA
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12
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Wu PX, Cui XJ, Cao MX, Lv LH, Dong HM, Xiao SW, Liu JZ, Hu YH. Evaluation on two types of paramyosin vaccines for the control of Haemaphysalis longicornis infestations in rabbits. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:309. [PMID: 34099029 PMCID: PMC8185926 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04812-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Haemaphysalis longicornis is an obligate hematophagous ectoparasite that transmits a variety of pathogens causing life-threatening diseases in humans and animals. Paramyosin (Pmy) is not only an invertebrate-specific myofibrillar protein but also an important immunomodulatory protein. Therefore, it is one of the ideal candidate antigens for vaccines. METHODS We conducted two vaccine trials to evaluate the protective efficacy of Pmy recombinant protein (rPmy) and peptide vaccine (KLH-LEE). Each rabbit was immunized with three doses of rPmy or KLH-LEE adjuvanted with Freund's complete/incomplete at 500 μg/dose at 2-week intervals before challenge with 40 female H. longicornis/rabbit. PBS plus adjuvant, Trx or KLH was used as control group. The antibodies of rabbits were detected by ELISA. Then, female ticks were fed on the rabbits until detachment. RESULTS ELISA results showed that both vaccines induced rabbits to produce antibodies. Compared with the Trx group, the engorgement weight, oviposition and hatchability of the rPmy group decreased by 8.87%, 26.83% and 38.86%, respectively. On the other hand, engorgement weight, oviposition and hatchability of female ticks in the KLH-LEE group correspondingly resulted in 27.03%, 53.15% and 38.40% reduction compared with that of the KLH group. Considering the cumulative effect of vaccination on the evaluated parameters, results showed 60.37% efficacy of the rPmy vaccine formulation and 70.86% efficacy in the KLH-LEE group. CONCLUSIONS Pmy and particularly epitope LEE have potential for further development of an effective candidate vaccine to protect the host against tick infection. GRAPHIC ABSTARCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pin-Xing Wu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, No. 20 East Road of 2nd South Ring, Shijiazhuang, 050024, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue-Jiao Cui
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, No. 20 East Road of 2nd South Ring, Shijiazhuang, 050024, People's Republic of China
| | - Mi-Xue Cao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, No. 20 East Road of 2nd South Ring, Shijiazhuang, 050024, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Hong Lv
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, No. 20 East Road of 2nd South Ring, Shijiazhuang, 050024, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong-Meng Dong
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, No. 20 East Road of 2nd South Ring, Shijiazhuang, 050024, People's Republic of China
| | - Shu-Wen Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, No. 20 East Road of 2nd South Ring, Shijiazhuang, 050024, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing-Ze Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, No. 20 East Road of 2nd South Ring, Shijiazhuang, 050024, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yong-Hong Hu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, No. 20 East Road of 2nd South Ring, Shijiazhuang, 050024, People's Republic of China.
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13
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Artigas-Jerónimo S, Villar M, Cabezas-Cruz A, Caignard G, Vitour D, Richardson J, Lacour S, Attoui H, Bell-Sakyi L, Allain E, Nijhof AM, Militzer N, Pinecki Socias S, de la Fuente J. Tick Importin-α Is Implicated in the Interactome and Regulome of the Cofactor Subolesin. Pathogens 2021; 10:457. [PMID: 33920361 PMCID: PMC8069720 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10040457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) represent a burden for human and animal health worldwide. Currently, vaccines constitute the safest and most effective approach to control ticks and TBDs. Subolesin (SUB) has been identified as a vaccine antigen for the control of tick infestations and pathogen infection and transmission. The characterization of the molecular function of SUB and the identification of tick proteins interacting with SUB may provide the basis for the discovery of novel antigens and for the rational design of novel anti-tick vaccines. In the present study, we used the yeast two-hybrid system (Y2H) as an unbiased approach to identify tick SUB-interacting proteins in an Ixodes ricinus cDNA library, and studied the possible role of SUB as a chromatin remodeler through direct interaction with histones. The Y2H screening identified Importin-α as a potential SUB-interacting protein, which was confirmed in vitro in a protein pull-down assay. The sub gene expression levels in tick midgut and fat body were significantly higher in unfed than fed female ticks, however, the importin-α expression levels did not vary between unfed and fed ticks but tended to be higher in the ovary when compared to those in other organs. The effect of importin-α RNAi was characterized in I. ricinus under artificial feeding conditions. Both sub and importin-α gene knockdown was observed in all tick tissues and, while tick weight was significantly lower in sub RNAi-treated ticks than in controls, importin-α RNAi did not affect tick feeding or oviposition, suggesting that SUB is able to exert its function in the absence of Importin-α. Furthermore, SUB was shown to physically interact with histone 4, which was corroborated by protein pull-down and western blot analysis. These results confirm that by interacting with numerous tick proteins, SUB is a key cofactor of the tick interactome and regulome. Further studies are needed to elucidate the nature of the SUB-Importin-α interaction and the biological processes and functional implications that this interaction may have.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Artigas-Jerónimo
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain; (S.A.-J.); (M.V.)
| | - Margarita Villar
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain; (S.A.-J.); (M.V.)
- Biochemistry Section, Faculty of Science and Chemical Technologies, and Regional Centre for Biomedical Research (CRIB), University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France;
| | - Grégory Caignard
- UMR 1161 Virologie, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Paris-Est Sup, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (G.C.); (D.V.); (J.R.); (S.L.); (H.A.); (E.A.)
| | - Damien Vitour
- UMR 1161 Virologie, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Paris-Est Sup, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (G.C.); (D.V.); (J.R.); (S.L.); (H.A.); (E.A.)
| | - Jennifer Richardson
- UMR 1161 Virologie, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Paris-Est Sup, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (G.C.); (D.V.); (J.R.); (S.L.); (H.A.); (E.A.)
| | - Sandrine Lacour
- UMR 1161 Virologie, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Paris-Est Sup, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (G.C.); (D.V.); (J.R.); (S.L.); (H.A.); (E.A.)
| | - Houssam Attoui
- UMR 1161 Virologie, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Paris-Est Sup, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (G.C.); (D.V.); (J.R.); (S.L.); (H.A.); (E.A.)
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- Tick Cell Biobank, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK;
| | - Eleonore Allain
- UMR 1161 Virologie, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Paris-Est Sup, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (G.C.); (D.V.); (J.R.); (S.L.); (H.A.); (E.A.)
| | - Ard M. Nijhof
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (A.M.N.); (N.M.); (S.P.S.)
| | - Nina Militzer
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (A.M.N.); (N.M.); (S.P.S.)
| | - Sophia Pinecki Socias
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (A.M.N.); (N.M.); (S.P.S.)
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain; (S.A.-J.); (M.V.)
- Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
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14
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van Oosterwijk JG. Anti-tick and pathogen transmission blocking vaccines. Parasite Immunol 2021; 43:e12831. [PMID: 33704804 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Ticks and tick-borne diseases are a challenge for medical and veterinary public health and often controlled through the use of repellents and acaricides. Research on vaccination strategies to protect humans, companion animals, and livestock from ticks and tick-transmitted pathogens has accelerated through the use of proteomic and transcriptomic analyses. Comparative analyses of unfed versus engorged and uninfected versus infected ticks have provided valuable insights into candidates for anti-tick and pathogen transmission blocking vaccines. An intricate interplay between tick saliva and the host's immune system has revealed potential antigens to be used in vaccination strategies. Immunization of hosts with targeted anti-tick vaccines would ideally lead to a reduction in tick numbers and prevent transmission of tick-borne pathogens. Comprehensive control of tick-borne diseases would come from successful anti-tick vaccination, vaccination preventing transmission of tick-borne diseases or a combination. Due to the close interaction with wildlife and ticks, with wildlife reservoirs enabling propagation of pathogens between ticks, the vaccination of these reservoirs is an attractive target to reduce human contact with ticks and tick-borne diseases through a one-health approach. Wildlife vaccination presents formulation and regulatory challenges which should be considered early in the development of reservoir-targeted vaccines.
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15
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Gray J, Kahl O, Zintl A. What do we still need to know about Ixodes ricinus? Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101682. [PMID: 33571753 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In spite of many decades of intensive research on Ixodes ricinus, the castor bean tick of Europe, several important aspects of its basic biology remain elusive, such as the factors determining seasonal development, tick abundance and host specificity, and the importance of water management. Additionally, there are more recent questions about the geographical diversity of tick genotypes and phenotypes, the role of migratory birds in the ecoepidemiology of I. ricinus, the importance of protective immune responses against I. ricinus, particularly in the context of vaccination, and the role of the microbiome in pathogen transmission. Without more detailed knowledge of these issues, it is difficult to assess the likely effects of changes in climate and biodiversity on tick distribution and activity, to predict potential risks arising from new and established tick populations and I. ricinus-borne pathogens, and to improve prevention and control measures. This review aims to discuss the most important outstanding questions against the backdrop of the current state of knowledge of this important tick species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Gray
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | | | - Annetta Zintl
- UCD School of Veterinary Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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16
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Hu E, Meng Y, Ma Y, Song R, Hu Z, Li M, Hao Y, Fan X, Wei L, Fan S, Chen S, Zhai X, Li Y, Zhang W, Zhang Y, Guo Q, Bayin C. De novo assembly and analysis of the transcriptome of the Dermacentor marginatus genes differentially expressed after blood-feeding and long-term starvation. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:563. [PMID: 33172483 PMCID: PMC7654163 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04442-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The ixodid tick Dermacentor marginatus is a vector of many pathogens wide spread in Eurasia. Studies of gene sequence on many tick species have greatly increased the information on tick protective antigen which might have the potential to function as effective vaccine candidates or drug targets for eco-friendly acaricide development. In the current study, RNA-seq was applied to identify D. marginatus sequences and analyze differentially expressed unigenes. Methods To obtain a broader picture of gene sequences and changes in expression level, RNA-seq was performed to obtain the whole-body transcriptome data of D. marginatus adult female ticks after engorgement and long-term starvation. Subsequently, the real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was applied to validate the RNA-seq data. Results RNA-seq produced 30,251 unigenes, of which 32% were annotated. Gene expression was compared among groups that differed by status as newly molted, starved and engorged female adult ticks. Nearly one third of the unigenes in each group were differentially expressed compared to the other two groups, and the most numerous were genes encoding proteins involved in catalytic and binding activities and apoptosis. Selected up-regulated differentially expressed genes in each group were associated to protein, lipids, carbohydrate and chitin metabolism. Blood-feeding and long-term starvation also caused genes differentially expressed in the defense response and antioxidant response. RT-qPCR results indicated 6 differentially expressed transcripts showed similar trends in expression changes with RNA-seq results confirming that the gene expression profiles in transcriptome data is in consistent with RT-qPCR validation. Conclusions Obtaining the sequence information of D. marginatus and characterizing the expression pattern of the genes involved in blood-feeding and during starvation would be helpful in understanding molecular physiology of D. marginatus and provides data for anti-tick vaccine and drug development for controlling the tick.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Ercha Hu
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Meng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruiqi Song
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengxiang Hu
- Bayingol Vocational and Technical College, Korla, 841000, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunwei Hao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinli Fan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Liting Wei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Shilong Fan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Songqin Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuejie Zhai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongchang Li
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.,National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Wei Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingyong Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chahan Bayin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.
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17
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Almazán C, Šimo L, Fourniol L, Rakotobe S, Borneres J, Cote M, Peltier S, Mayé J, Versillé N, Richardson J, Bonnet SI. Multiple Antigenic Peptide-Based Vaccines Targeting Ixodes ricinus Neuropeptides Induce a Specific Antibody Response but Do Not Impact Tick Infestation. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9110900. [PMID: 33126686 PMCID: PMC7693490 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9110900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic peptide vaccines were designed to target the neuropeptides innervating Ixodes ricinus salivary glands and hindgut and they were tested for their capacity to afford protective immunity against nymphs or larvae and Anaplasma phagocytophilum-infected nymph infestation, in mice and sheep, respectively. In both models, the assembly of SIFamide (SIFa) or myoinhibitory peptide (MIP) neuropeptides into multiple antigenic peptide constructs (MAPs) elicited a robust IgG antibody response following immunization. Nevertheless, no observable detrimental impact on nymphs was evidenced in mice, and, unfortunately, the number of engorged nymphs on sheep was insufficient for firm conclusions to be drawn, including for bacterial transmission. Regarding larvae, while vaccination of the sheep did not globally diminish tick feeding success or development, analyses of animals at the individual level revealed a negative correlation between anti-SIFa and MIP antibody levels and larva-to-nymph molting success for both antigens. Our results provide a proof of principle and precedent for the use of MAPs for the induction of immunity against tick peptide molecules. Although the present study did not provide the expected level of protection, it inaugurates a new strategy for protection against ticks based on the immunological targeting of key components of their nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Consuelo Almazán
- UMR BIPAR 0956, INRAE, National Veterinary School of Alfort, ANSES, Paris-Est University, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (C.A.); (L.Š.); (L.F.); (S.R.); (M.C.)
| | - Ladislav Šimo
- UMR BIPAR 0956, INRAE, National Veterinary School of Alfort, ANSES, Paris-Est University, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (C.A.); (L.Š.); (L.F.); (S.R.); (M.C.)
| | - Lisa Fourniol
- UMR BIPAR 0956, INRAE, National Veterinary School of Alfort, ANSES, Paris-Est University, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (C.A.); (L.Š.); (L.F.); (S.R.); (M.C.)
| | - Sabine Rakotobe
- UMR BIPAR 0956, INRAE, National Veterinary School of Alfort, ANSES, Paris-Est University, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (C.A.); (L.Š.); (L.F.); (S.R.); (M.C.)
| | - Jérémie Borneres
- SEPPIC Paris La Défense, 92250 La Garenne Colombes, France; (J.B.); (S.P.); (J.M.); (N.V.)
| | - Martine Cote
- UMR BIPAR 0956, INRAE, National Veterinary School of Alfort, ANSES, Paris-Est University, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (C.A.); (L.Š.); (L.F.); (S.R.); (M.C.)
| | - Sandy Peltier
- SEPPIC Paris La Défense, 92250 La Garenne Colombes, France; (J.B.); (S.P.); (J.M.); (N.V.)
| | - Jennifer Mayé
- SEPPIC Paris La Défense, 92250 La Garenne Colombes, France; (J.B.); (S.P.); (J.M.); (N.V.)
| | - Nicolas Versillé
- SEPPIC Paris La Défense, 92250 La Garenne Colombes, France; (J.B.); (S.P.); (J.M.); (N.V.)
| | - Jennifer Richardson
- UMR Virologie 1161, INRAE, National Veterinary School of Alfort, ANSES, Paris-Est University, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France;
| | - Sarah I. Bonnet
- UMR BIPAR 0956, INRAE, National Veterinary School of Alfort, ANSES, Paris-Est University, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (C.A.); (L.Š.); (L.F.); (S.R.); (M.C.)
- Correspondence:
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18
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Failed Disruption of Tick Feeding, Viability, and Molting after Immunization of Mice and Sheep with Recombinant Ixodes ricinus Salivary Proteins IrSPI and IrLip1. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8030475. [PMID: 32858821 PMCID: PMC7564719 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8030475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
To identify potential vaccine candidates against Ixodes ricinus and tick-borne pathogen transmission, we have previously sequenced the salivary gland transcriptomes of female ticks infected or not with Bartonella henselae. The hypothesized potential of both IrSPI (I. ricinus serine protease inhibitor) and IrLip1 (I. ricinus lipocalin 1) as protective antigens decreasing tick feeding and/or the transmission of tick-borne pathogens was based on their presumed involvement in dampening the host immune response to tick feeding. Vaccine endpoints included tick larval and nymphal mortality, feeding, and molting in mice and sheep. Whether the antigens were administered individually or in combination, the vaccination of mice or sheep elicited a potent antigen-specific antibody response. However, and contrary to our expectations, vaccination failed to afford protection against the infestation of mice and sheep by I. ricinus nymphs and larvae, respectively. Rather, vaccination with IrSPI and IrLip1 appeared to enhance tick engorgement and molting and decrease tick mortality. To the best of our knowledge, these observations represent the first report of induction of vaccine-mediated enhancement in relation to anti-tick vaccination.
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Contreras M, Karlsen M, Villar M, Olsen RH, Leknes LM, Furevik A, Yttredal KL, Tartor H, Grove S, Alberdi P, Brudeseth B, de la Fuente J. Vaccination with Ectoparasite Proteins Involved in Midgut Function and Blood Digestion Reduces Salmon Louse Infestations. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010032. [PMID: 31963779 PMCID: PMC7157638 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Infestation with the salmon louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Copepoda, Caligidae) affects Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) production in European aquaculture. Furthermore, high levels of salmon lice in farms significantly increase challenge pressure against wild salmon populations. Currently, available control methods for salmon louse have limitations, and vaccination appears as an attractive, environmentally sound strategy. In this study, we addressed one of the main limitations for vaccine development, the identification of candidate protective antigens. Based on recent advances in tick vaccine research, herein, we targeted the salmon louse midgut function and blood digestion for the identification of candidate target proteins for the control of ectoparasite infestations. The results of this translational approach resulted in the identification and subsequent evaluation of the new candidate protective antigens, putative Toll-like receptor 6 (P30), and potassium chloride, and amino acid transporter (P33). Vaccination with these antigens provided protection in Atlantic salmon by reducing adult female (P33) or chalimus II (P30) sea lice infestations. These results support the development of vaccines for the control of sea lice infestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marinela Contreras
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain; (M.C.); (M.V.); (P.A.)
| | - Marius Karlsen
- Pharmaq AS, P.O. Box 267, Skoyen, N-0213 Oslo, Norway; (M.K.); (R.H.O.); (L.M.L.); (A.F.); (K.L.Y.)
| | - Margarita Villar
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain; (M.C.); (M.V.); (P.A.)
- Biochemistry Section, Faculty of Science and Chemical Technologies, and Regional Centre for Biomedical Research (CRIB), University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Rolf Hetlelid Olsen
- Pharmaq AS, P.O. Box 267, Skoyen, N-0213 Oslo, Norway; (M.K.); (R.H.O.); (L.M.L.); (A.F.); (K.L.Y.)
| | - Lisa Marie Leknes
- Pharmaq AS, P.O. Box 267, Skoyen, N-0213 Oslo, Norway; (M.K.); (R.H.O.); (L.M.L.); (A.F.); (K.L.Y.)
| | - Anette Furevik
- Pharmaq AS, P.O. Box 267, Skoyen, N-0213 Oslo, Norway; (M.K.); (R.H.O.); (L.M.L.); (A.F.); (K.L.Y.)
| | - Karine Lindmo Yttredal
- Pharmaq AS, P.O. Box 267, Skoyen, N-0213 Oslo, Norway; (M.K.); (R.H.O.); (L.M.L.); (A.F.); (K.L.Y.)
| | - Haitham Tartor
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, 0106 Oslo, Norway; (H.T.); (S.G.)
| | - Soren Grove
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, 0106 Oslo, Norway; (H.T.); (S.G.)
- Institute of Marine Research, 5005 Bergen, Norway
| | - Pilar Alberdi
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain; (M.C.); (M.V.); (P.A.)
| | - Bjorn Brudeseth
- Pharmaq AS, P.O. Box 267, Skoyen, N-0213 Oslo, Norway; (M.K.); (R.H.O.); (L.M.L.); (A.F.); (K.L.Y.)
- Correspondence: (B.B.); (J.d.l.F.)
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain; (M.C.); (M.V.); (P.A.)
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
- Correspondence: (B.B.); (J.d.l.F.)
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20
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Pérez-Sánchez R, Manzano-Román R, Obolo-Mvoulouga P, Oleaga A. In silico selection of functionally important proteins from the mialome of Ornithodoros erraticus ticks and assessment of their protective efficacy as vaccine targets. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:508. [PMID: 31666116 PMCID: PMC6822432 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3768-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND New candidate protective antigens for tick vaccine development may be identified by selecting and testing antigen candidates that play key biological functions. After blood-feeding, tick midgut overexpresses proteins that play essential functions in tick survival and disease transmission. Herein, Ornithodoros erraticus midgut transcriptomic and proteomic data were examined in order to select functionally significant antigens upregulated after feeding to be tested as vaccine candidate antigens. METHODS Transcripts annotated as chitinases, tetraspanins, ribosomal protein P0 and secreted proteins/peptides were mined from the recently published O. erraticus midgut transcriptome and filtered in a second selection step using criteria based on upregulation after feeding, predicted antigenicity and expression in the midgut proteome. Five theoretical candidate antigens were selected, obtained as recombinant proteins and used to immunise rabbits: one chitinase (CHI), two tetraspanins (TSPs), the ribosomal protein P0 (RPP0) and one secreted protein PK-4 (PK4). RESULTS Rabbit vaccination with individual recombinant candidates induced strong humoral responses that mainly reduced nymph moulting and female reproduction, providing 30.2% (CHI), 56% (TSPs), 57.5% (RPP0) and 57.8% (PK4) protection to O. erraticus infestations and 19.6% (CHI), 11.1% (TSPs), 0% (RPP0) and 8.1% (PK4) cross-protection to infestations by the African tick Ornithodoros moubata. The joint vaccine efficacy of the candidates was assessed in a second vaccine trial reaching 66.3% protection to O. erraticus and 25.6% cross-protection to O. moubata. CONCLUSIONS These results (i) indicate that argasid chitinases and RPP0 are promising protective antigens, as has already been demonstrated for ixodid chitinases and RPP0, and could be included in vaccines targeting multiple tick species; (ii) reveal novel protective antigens tetraspanins and secreted protein PK-4, never tested before as protective antigens in ticks; and (iii) demonstrate that multi-antigenic vaccines increased vaccine efficacy compared with individual antigens. Lastly, our data emphasize the value of the tick midgut as a source of protective candidate antigens in argasids for tick control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Pérez-Sánchez
- Parasitología Animal, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca (IRNASA, CSIC), Cordel de Merinas, 40-52, 37008, Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Raúl Manzano-Román
- Parasitología Animal, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca (IRNASA, CSIC), Cordel de Merinas, 40-52, 37008, Salamanca, Spain.,Proteomics Unit, Cancer Research Centre (IBMCC/CSIC/USAL/IBSAL), 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Prosper Obolo-Mvoulouga
- Parasitología Animal, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca (IRNASA, CSIC), Cordel de Merinas, 40-52, 37008, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ana Oleaga
- Parasitología Animal, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca (IRNASA, CSIC), Cordel de Merinas, 40-52, 37008, Salamanca, Spain
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21
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Ndekezi C, Nkamwesiga J, Ochwo S, Kimuda MP, Mwiine FN, Tweyongyere R, Amanyire W, Muhanguzi D. Identification of Ixodid Tick-Specific Aquaporin-1 Potential Anti-tick Vaccine Epitopes: An in-silico Analysis. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2019; 7:236. [PMID: 31612130 PMCID: PMC6775757 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are arthropod vectors of pathogens of both Veterinary and Public health importance. Acaricide application, which is currently the mainstay of tick control, is hampered by high cost, the need for regular application and a selection of multi-acaricide resistant tick populations. In light of this, future tick control approaches are poised to rely on the integration of rational acaricide application and other methods, such as vaccination. To contribute to systematic research-guided efforts to produce anti-tick vaccines, we carried out an in-silico analysis of tick aquaporin-1 (AQP1) protein in order to identify tick-specific AQP1 peptide motifs that can be used in future peptide anti-tick vaccine development. We carried out multiple sequence alignment (MSA), motif analysis, homology modeling, and structural analysis to identify tick-specific AQP1 peptide motifs. BepiPred, Chou and Fasman-Turn, Karplus and Schulz Flexibility, and Parker-Hydrophilicity prediction models were used to predict these motifs' potential to induce B cell mediated immune responses. The tick AQP1 (GenBankID: QDO67142.1) protein was largely similar to the bovine AQP1 (PDB:1J4N) (23 % sequence similarity; Structural superimposition of the homology model and 14JN homotetramers gave an RMSD = 3.269 while superimposition of a single chain gave an RMSD = 1.475). Tick and bovine AQP1 transmembrane domains were largely similar while their extracellular and cytoplasmic domain loops showed variation. Two tick-specific AQP1 peptide motifs; M7 (residues 106-125, p = 5.4e-25), and M8 (residues 85-104, p = 3.3e-24) were identified. These two motifs are located on the extra-cellular AQP1 domain. Motifs; M7 and M8 showed the highest Parker-Hydrophilicity prediction immunogenicity scores of 1.784 and 1.536, respectively. These two motifs can be a good starting point for the development of potential tick AQP1 peptide-based anti-tick vaccines. Further analyses such as molecular dynamics, in vitro assays, and in vivo immunization assays are required to validate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Ndekezi
- School of Biosecurity, Biotechnical and Laboratory Science, College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joseph Nkamwesiga
- School of Biosecurity, Biotechnical and Laboratory Science, College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sylvester Ochwo
- School of Biosecurity, Biotechnical and Laboratory Science, College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Magambo Phillip Kimuda
- School of Biosecurity, Biotechnical and Laboratory Science, College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
| | - Frank Norbert Mwiine
- School of Biosecurity, Biotechnical and Laboratory Science, College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Robert Tweyongyere
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources, College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Wilson Amanyire
- School of Biosecurity, Biotechnical and Laboratory Science, College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Dennis Muhanguzi
- School of Biosecurity, Biotechnical and Laboratory Science, College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Makerere University/Uganda Virus Research Institute Centre of Excellence in Infection and Immunity Research and Training, Entebbe, Uganda
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22
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Bezerra-Neto JP, de Araújo FC, Ferreira-Neto JRC, da Silva MD, Pandolfi V, Aburjaile FF, Sakamoto T, de Oliveira Silva RL, Kido EA, Barbosa Amorim LL, Ortega JM, Benko-Iseppon AM. Plant Aquaporins: Diversity, Evolution and Biotechnological Applications. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2019; 20:368-395. [PMID: 30387391 DOI: 10.2174/1389203720666181102095910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The plasma membrane forms a permeable barrier that separates the cytoplasm from the external environment, defining the physical and chemical limits in each cell in all organisms. The movement of molecules and ions into and out of cells is controlled by the plasma membrane as a critical process for cell stability and survival, maintaining essential differences between the composition of the extracellular fluid and the cytosol. In this process aquaporins (AQPs) figure as important actors, comprising highly conserved membrane proteins that carry water, glycerol and other hydrophilic molecules through biomembranes, including the cell wall and membranes of cytoplasmic organelles. While mammals have 15 types of AQPs described so far (displaying 18 paralogs), a single plant species can present more than 120 isoforms, providing transport of different types of solutes. Such aquaporins may be present in the whole plant or can be associated with different tissues or situations, including biotic and especially abiotic stresses, such as drought, salinity or tolerance to soils rich in heavy metals, for instance. The present review addresses several aspects of plant aquaporins, from their structure, classification, and function, to in silico methodologies for their analysis and identification in transcriptomes and genomes. Aspects of evolution and diversification of AQPs (with a focus on plants) are approached for the first time with the aid of the LCA (Last Common Ancestor) analysis. Finally, the main practical applications involving the use of AQPs are discussed, including patents and future perspectives involving this important protein family.
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Affiliation(s)
- João P Bezerra-Neto
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Genetics Department, Center of Biosciences, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50.670-423, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Flávia Czekalski de Araújo
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Genetics Department, Center of Biosciences, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50.670-423, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - José R C Ferreira-Neto
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Genetics Department, Center of Biosciences, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50.670-423, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Manassés D da Silva
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Genetics Department, Center of Biosciences, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50.670-423, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Valesca Pandolfi
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Genetics Department, Center of Biosciences, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50.670-423, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Flavia F Aburjaile
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Genetics Department, Center of Biosciences, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50.670-423, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Tetsu Sakamoto
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Roberta L de Oliveira Silva
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Genetics Department, Center of Biosciences, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50.670-423, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Ederson A Kido
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Genetics Department, Center of Biosciences, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50.670-423, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Lidiane L Barbosa Amorim
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Genetics Department, Center of Biosciences, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50.670-423, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.,Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Piauí, Campus Oeiras, Avenida Projetada, s/n, 64.500-000, Oeiras, Piauí, Brazil
| | - José M Ortega
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ana M Benko-Iseppon
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Genetics Department, Center of Biosciences, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50.670-423, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
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23
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Lima-Barbero JF, Contreras M, Bartley K, Price DRG, Nunn F, Sanchez-Sanchez M, Prado E, Höfle U, Villar M, Nisbet AJ, de la Fuente J. Reduction in Oviposition of Poultry Red Mite ( Dermanyssus gallinae) in Hens Vaccinated with Recombinant Akirin. Vaccines (Basel) 2019; 7:vaccines7030121. [PMID: 31546944 PMCID: PMC6789658 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7030121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae, is a hematophagous ectoparasite of birds with worldwide distribution that causes economic losses in the egg-production sector of the poultry industry. Traditional control methods, mainly based on acaricides, have been only partially successful, and new vaccine-based interventions are required for the control of PRM. Vaccination with insect Akirin (AKR) and its homolog in ticks, Subolesin (SUB), have shown protective efficacy for the control of ectoparasite infestations and pathogen infection/transmission. The aim of this study was the identification of the akr gene from D. gallinae (Deg-akr), the production of the recombinant Deg-AKR protein, and evaluation of its efficacy as a vaccine candidate for the control of PRM. The anti-Deg-AKR serum IgY antibodies in hen sera and egg yolk were higher in vaccinated than control animals throughout the experiment. The results demonstrated the efficacy of the vaccination with Deg-AKR for the control of PRM by reducing mite oviposition by 42% following feeding on vaccinated hens. A negative correlation between the levels of serum anti-Deg-AKR IgY and mite oviposition was obtained. These results support Deg-AKR as a candidate protective antigen for the control of PRM population growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Francisco Lima-Barbero
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
- Sabiotec, Ed. Polivalente UCLM, Camino de Moledores s/n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Marinela Contreras
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Kathryn Bartley
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK.
| | - Daniel R G Price
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK.
| | - Francesca Nunn
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK.
| | - Marta Sanchez-Sanchez
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Eduardo Prado
- Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Castilla La Mancha, Avda. Camilo José Cela 10, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Ursula Höfle
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Margarita Villar
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Alasdair J Nisbet
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK.
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
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24
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Contreras M, Villar M, de la Fuente J. A Vaccinomics Approach for the Identification of Tick Protective Antigens for the Control of Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus Infestations in Companion Animals. Front Physiol 2019; 10:977. [PMID: 31417430 PMCID: PMC6681794 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks and tick-borne pathogens affect health and welfare of companion animals worldwide, and some human tick-borne diseases are associated with exposure to domestic animals. Vaccines are the most environmentally friendly alternative to acaracides for the control of tick infestations, and to reduce the risk for tick-borne diseases affecting human and animal health. However, vaccines have not been developed or successfully implemented for most vector-borne diseases. The main limitation for the development of effective vaccines is the identification of protective antigens. To address this limitation, in this study we used an experimental approach combining vaccinomics based on transcriptomics and proteomics data with vaccination trials for the identification of tick protective antigens. The study was focused on Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus that infest humans, companion animals and other domestic and wild animals, and transmit disease-causing pathogens. Tick larvae and adult salivary glands were selected for analysis to target tick organs and developmental stages playing a key role during tick life cycle and pathogen infection and transmission. Two I. ricinus (heme lipoprotein and uncharacterized secreted protein) and five D. reticulatus (glypican-like protein, secreted protein involved in homophilic cell adhesion, sulfate/anion exchanger, signal peptidase complex subunit 3, and uncharacterized secreted protein) proteins were identified as the most effective protective antigens based on the criteria of vaccine E > 80%. The putative function of selected protective antigens, which are involved in different biological processes, resulted in vaccines affecting multiple tick developmental stages. These results suggested that the combination of some of these antigens might be considered to increase vaccine efficacy through antigen synergy for the control of tick infestations and potentially affecting pathogen infection and transmission. These antigens were proposed for commercial vaccine development for the control of tick infestations in companion animals, and potentially in other hosts for these tick species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marinela Contreras
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC; CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Margarita Villar
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC; CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC; CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
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25
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Pérez-Sánchez R, Manzano-Román R, Obolo-Mvoulouga P, Oleaga A. Function-guided selection of midgut antigens from Ornithodoros erraticus ticks and an evaluation of their protective efficacy in rabbits. Vet Parasitol 2019; 272:1-12. [PMID: 31395198 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The identification of candidate protective antigens for the development of tick vaccines may be approached by selecting antigen candidates that play key biological functions. Tick midgut proteins that play essential functions in tick survival and disease transmission are upregulated in response to blood feeding and digestion. In this study, Ornithodoros erraticus midgut transcriptomic and proteomic data upon feeding were inspected to select functionally relevant antigens to be assessed as vaccine candidate antigens. For this, we primarily focused on proteins with relevant biological functions in key physiological processes for ticks and tick-host-pathogen interactions. Later, we used additional criteria based on overexpression after feeding, predicted antigenicity and cellular localisation, resulting in the selection of four theoretical candidates, two aquaporins (OeAQP, OeAQP1), one ABC transporter (OeABC) and one selenoprotein T (OeSEL). Rabbit vaccination with synthetic immunogenic peptides designed from the extracellular antigenic regions of the selected candidates induced humoral responses that reduced tick feeding and reproduction performance. Both AQPs and OeSEL demonstrated significant protection efficacy against the homologous species O. erraticus, but lower non-significant cross-species protection against Ornithodoros moubata. Conversely, OeABC showed no protection against the homologous species O. erraticus, but significant cross-species protection against O. moubata. These results are the first demonstration of the protective potential of argasid aquaporins, suggesting that they might be included in vaccines for the control of multiple tick species. Additionally, these results also unveiled two novel protective antigens from argasid ticks, OeABC and OeSEL, belonging to functional protein families that have never been explored as a source of vaccine candidates and are deserving of further studies. Finally, our data add value to the midgut as a protective candidate antigen source in argasids for the control of tick infestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Pérez-Sánchez
- Parasitología Animal, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca (IRNASA, CSIC), Cordel de Merinas, 40-52, 37008 Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Raúl Manzano-Román
- Parasitología Animal, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca (IRNASA, CSIC), Cordel de Merinas, 40-52, 37008 Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Prosper Obolo-Mvoulouga
- Parasitología Animal, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca (IRNASA, CSIC), Cordel de Merinas, 40-52, 37008 Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Ana Oleaga
- Parasitología Animal, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca (IRNASA, CSIC), Cordel de Merinas, 40-52, 37008 Salamanca, Spain.
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Tick saliva and its role in pathogen transmission. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2019; 135:165-176. [PMID: 31062185 PMCID: PMC10118219 DOI: 10.1007/s00508-019-1500-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Tick saliva is a complex mixture of peptidic and non-peptidic molecules that aid engorgement. The composition of tick saliva changes as feeding progresses and the tick counters the dynamic host response. Ixodid ticks such as Ixodes ricinus, the most important tick species in Europe, transmit numerous pathogens that cause debilitating diseases, e.g. Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis. Tick-borne pathogens are transmitted in tick saliva during blood feeding; however, saliva is not simply a medium enabling pathogen transfer. Instead, tick-borne pathogens exploit saliva-induced modulation of host responses to promote their transmission and infection, so-called saliva-assisted transmission (SAT). Characterization of the saliva factors that facilitate SAT is an active area of current research. Besides providing new insights into how tick-borne pathogens survive in nature, the research is opening new avenues for vaccine development.
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Contreras M, Kasaija PD, Merino O, de la Cruz-Hernandez NI, Gortazar C, de la Fuente J. Oral Vaccination With a Formulation Combining Rhipicephalus microplus Subolesin With Heat Inactivated Mycobacterium bovis Reduces Tick Infestations in Cattle. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:45. [PMID: 30881925 PMCID: PMC6407321 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are an environmentally friendly alternative to acaracides for the control of tick infestations, to reduce the risk for tick-borne diseases affecting human and animal health worldwide, and to improve animal welfare and production. Subolesin (SUB, also known as 4D8) is the functional homolog of Akirin2 involved in the regulation of development and innate immune response, and a proven protective antigen for the control of ectoparasite infestations and pathogen infection. Oral vaccination combining protein antigens with immunostimulants has proven efficacy with increased host welfare and safety, but has not been used for the control of tick infestations. Here we describe the efficacy of oral vaccination with a formulation combining Rhipicephalus microplus SUB and heat inactivated Mycobacterium bovis (IV) on cattle tick infestations and fertility. The levels of IgG antibody titers against SUB and M. bovis P22, and the expression of selected immune response genes were determined and analyzed as possible correlates of protection. We demonstrated that oral immunization with the SUB+IV formulation resulted in 51% reduction in the number of female ticks and 30% reduction in fertility with an overall efficacy of 65% in the control of R. microplus infestations by considering the cumulative effect on reducing tick survival and fertility in cattle. The akr2, IL-1β, and C3 mRNA levels together with antibody levels against SUB correlated with vaccine efficacy. The effect of the oral immunization with SUB+IV in cattle on tick survival and fertility is essential to reduce tick infestations, and extended previous results on the effect of R. microplus SUB for the control of cattle tick infestations. These results support the development of oral vaccines formulations for the control of tick infestations and the incidence of tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marinela Contreras
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Paul D Kasaija
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain.,National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI/NARO), Tororo, Uganda
| | - Octavio Merino
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Ciudad Victoria, Mexico
| | - Ned I de la Cruz-Hernandez
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Ciudad Victoria, Mexico
| | - Christian Gortazar
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
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Inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channels mediate salivary gland function and blood feeding in the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007153. [PMID: 30730880 PMCID: PMC6382211 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tick feeding causes extreme morbidity and mortality to humans through transmission of pathogens and causes severe economic losses to the agricultural industry by reducing livestock yield. Salivary gland secretions are essential for tick feeding and thus, reducing or preventing saliva secretions into the vertebrate host is likely to reduce feeding and hinder pathogen life cycles. Unfortunately, the membrane physiology of tick salivary glands is underexplored and this gap in knowledge limits the development of novel therapeutics for inducing cessation of tick feeding. Methodology We studied the influence of inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channel subtypes to the functional capacity of the isolated tick salivary gland through the use of a modified Ramsay assay. The secreted saliva was subsequently used for quantification of the elemental composition of the secreted saliva after the glands were exposed to K+ channel modulators as a measure of osmoregulatory capacity. Lastly, changes to blood feeding behavior and mortality were measured with the use of a membrane feeding system. Principal findings In this study, we characterized the fundamental role of Kir channel subtypes in tick salivary gland function and provide evidence that pharmacological inhibition of these ion channels reduces the secretory activity of the Amblyomma americanum salivary gland. The reduced secretory capacity of the salivary gland was directly correlated with a dramatic reduction of blood ingestion during feeding. Further, exposure to small-molecule modulators of Kir channel subtypes induced mortality to ticks that is likely resultant from an altered osmoregulatory capacity. Conclusions Our data contribute to understanding of tick salivary gland function and could guide future campaigns aiming to develop chemical or reverse vaccinology technologies to reduce the worldwide burden of tick feeding and tick-vectored pathogens. Tick feeding results in negative health and economic consequences worldwide and there has been continued interest in the development of products with novel mechanisms of action for control of tick populations. Kir channels have been shown to be a significant ion conductance pathway in arthropods and are critical for proper functioning of multiple biological processes. Previous work on insect Kir channels has focused on their physiological roles in renal system of mosquitoes and the data suggest that these channels represent a viable pathway to induce renal failure that leads to mortality. Based on the functional and cellular similarities of arthropod salivary glands and Malpighian tubules, we hypothesized that Kir channels constitute a critical conductance pathway within arthropod salivary glands and inhibition of this pathway will preclude feeding. Data presented in this study show that pharmacological modulators of Kir channels elicited a significant reduction in the fluid and ion secretory activity of tick salivary glands that resulted in reduced feeding, altered osmoregulation, and lead to mortality. These data could guide the future development of novel acaricides, RNAi, or genetically modified ticks to mitigate health and economic damages resulting from their feeding. Further, these data indicate a conserved function of Kir channels within multiple tissues of taxonomically diverse organisms, such as ticks and humans.
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Knorr S, Anguita J, Cortazar JT, Hajdusek O, Kopáček P, Trentelman JJ, Kershaw O, Hovius JW, Nijhof AM. Preliminary Evaluation of Tick Protein Extracts and Recombinant Ferritin 2 as Anti-tick Vaccines Targeting Ixodes ricinus in Cattle. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1696. [PMID: 30568595 PMCID: PMC6290058 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-tick vaccines have the potential to be an environmentally friendly and cost-effective option for tick control. In vaccine development, the identification of efficacious antigens forms the major bottleneck. In this study, the efficacy of immunization with recombinant ferritin 2 and native tick protein extracts (TPEs) against Ixodes ricinus infestations in calves was assessed in two immunization experiments. In the first experiment, each calf (n = 3) was immunized twice with recombinant ferritin 2 from I. ricinus (IrFER2), TPE consisting of soluble proteins from the internal organs of partially fed I. ricinus females, or adjuvant, respectively. In the second experiment, each calf (n = 4) was immunized with protein extracts from the midgut (ME) of partially fed females, the salivary glands (SGE) of partially fed females, a combination of ME and SGE, or adjuvant, respectively. Two weeks after the booster immunization, calves were challenged with 100 females and 200 nymphs. Blood was collected from the calves before the first and after the second immunization and fed to I. ricinus females and nymphs using an in vitro artificial tick feeding system. The two calves vaccinated with whole TPE and midgut extract (ME) showed hyperemia on tick bite sites 2 days post tick infestation and exudative blisters were observed in the ME-vaccinated animal, signs that were suggestive of a delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction. Significantly fewer ticks successfully fed on the three animals vaccinated with TPE, SGE, or ME. Adults fed on the TPE and ME vaccinated animals weighed significantly less. Tick feeding on the IrFER2 vaccinated calf was not impaired. The in vitro feeding of serum or fresh whole blood collected from the vaccinated animals did not significantly affect tick feeding success. Immunization with native I. ricinus TPEs thus conferred a strong immune response in calves and significantly reduced the feeding success of both nymphs and adults. In vitro feeding of serum or blood collected from vaccinated animals to ticks did not affect tick feeding, indicating that antibodies alone were not responsible for the observed vaccine immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Knorr
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Juan Anguita
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Derio, Spain.,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Julen T Cortazar
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Derio, Spain
| | - Ondrej Hajdusek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Jos J Trentelman
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Olivia Kershaw
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Joppe W Hovius
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ard M Nijhof
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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30
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Stutzer C, Richards SA, Ferreira M, Baron S, Maritz-Olivier C. Metazoan Parasite Vaccines: Present Status and Future Prospects. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:67. [PMID: 29594064 PMCID: PMC5859119 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic parasites and pathogens continue to cause some of the most detrimental and difficult to treat diseases (or disease states) in both humans and animals, while also continuously expanding into non-endemic countries. Combined with the ever growing number of reports on drug-resistance and the lack of effective treatment programs for many metazoan diseases, the impact that these organisms will have on quality of life remain a global challenge. Vaccination as an effective prophylactic treatment has been demonstrated for well over 200 years for bacterial and viral diseases. From the earliest variolation procedures to the cutting edge technologies employed today, many protective preparations have been successfully developed for use in both medical and veterinary applications. In spite of the successes of these applications in the discovery of subunit vaccines against prokaryotic pathogens, not many targets have been successfully developed into vaccines directed against metazoan parasites. With the current increase in -omics technologies and metadata for eukaryotic parasites, target discovery for vaccine development can be expedited. However, a good understanding of the host/vector/pathogen interface is needed to understand the underlying biological, biochemical and immunological components that will confer a protective response in the host animal. Therefore, systems biology is rapidly coming of age in the pursuit of effective parasite vaccines. Despite the difficulties, a number of approaches have been developed and applied to parasitic helminths and arthropods. This review will focus on key aspects of vaccine development that require attention in the battle against these metazoan parasites, as well as successes in the field of vaccine development for helminthiases and ectoparasites. Lastly, we propose future direction of applying successes in pursuit of next generation vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Stutzer
- Tick Vaccine Group, Department of Genetics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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31
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Contreras M, Villar M, Artigas-Jerónimo S, Kornieieva L, Mуtrofanov S, de la Fuente J. A reverse vaccinology approach to the identification and characterization of Ctenocephalides felis candidate protective antigens for the control of cat flea infestations. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:43. [PMID: 29347954 PMCID: PMC5774092 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2618-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite the abundance of the domestic cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché, 1835) and disease risks associated with them, flea control is difficult and requires the development of new control interventions such as vaccines. In this study, a reverse vaccinology approach was designed to achieve a rational selection of cat flea candidate protective antigens. Methods Based on transcriptomics and proteomics data from unfed adult fleas it was possible to select more specific candidate protective antigens based on highly represented and functionally relevant proteins present in the predicted exoproteome. The protective capacity of the recombinant antigens was evaluated for the control of C. felis infestations in vaccinated cats. Results Vaccination with recombinant antigens induced an antibody response in immunized cats. Furthermore, a correlation was obtained between the effect of vaccination (antibody levels) and vaccine efficacy on flea phenotype (egg hatchability). The results suggested that the main effect of vaccination with these antigens was on reducing cat flea egg hatchability and fertility, with an overall vaccine efficacy of 32–46%. Although vaccination with these antigens did not have an effect on flea infestations, vaccines affecting reproductive capacity could reduce cat flea populations, particularly under conditions of direct insect transmission between cats. Conclusions These results support the development of vaccines with protective antigens affecting flea reproduction and development after feeding on immunized animals for the control of cat flea infestations. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-2618-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marinela Contreras
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Margarita Villar
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Sara Artigas-Jerónimo
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Lidiia Kornieieva
- Acro Veterinary Laboratories, 15a Privokzalna Street, Pilipovichi village, Kyiv region, Ukraine
| | - Sergіі Mуtrofanov
- Acro Veterinary Laboratories, 15a Privokzalna Street, Pilipovichi village, Kyiv region, Ukraine
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain. .,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA.
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de la Fuente J, Contreras M, Estrada-Peña A, Cabezas-Cruz A. Targeting a global health problem: Vaccine design and challenges for the control of tick-borne diseases. Vaccine 2017; 35:5089-5094. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.07.097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Revised: 07/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Murfin KE, Fikrig E. Tick Bioactive Molecules as Novel Therapeutics: Beyond Vaccine Targets. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017. [PMID: 28634573 PMCID: PMC5459892 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen E Murfin
- Section of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of MedicineNew Haven, CT, United States
| | - Erol Fikrig
- Section of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of MedicineNew Haven, CT, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical InstituteChevy Chase, MD, United States.,Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT, United States
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