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Namjoshi P, Lubembe DM, Sultana H, Neelakanta G. Antibody-blocking of a tick transporter impairs Anaplasma phagocytophilum colonization in Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9003. [PMID: 38637614 PMCID: PMC11026487 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59315-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: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The invasive Asian longhorned tick Haemaphysalis longicornis that vectors and transmits several animal pathogens is significantly expanding in the United States. Recent studies report that these ticks also harbor human pathogens including Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Babesia microti, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Therefore, studies that address the interactions of these ticks with human pathogens are important. In this study, we report the characterization of H. longicornis organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATPs) in interactions of these ticks with A. phagocytophilum. Using OATP-signature sequence, we identified six OATPs in the H. longicornis genome. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that H. longicornis OATPs are closer to other tick orthologs rather than to mammalian counterparts. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that OATPs are highly expressed in immature stages when compared to mature stages of these ticks. In addition, we noted that the presence of A. phagocytophilum upregulates a specific OATP in these ticks. We also noted that exogenous treatment of H. longicornis with xanthurenic acid, a tryptophan metabolite, influenced OATP expression in these ticks. Immunoblotting analysis revealed that antibody generated against Ixodes scapularis OATP cross-reacted with H. longicornis OATP. Furthermore, treatment of H. longicornis with OATP antibody impaired colonization of A. phagocytophilum in these ticks. These results not only provide evidence that the OATP-tryptophan pathway is important for A. phagocytophilum survival in H. longicornis ticks but also indicate OATP as a promising candidate for the development of a universal anti-tick vaccine to target this bacterium and perhaps other rickettsial pathogens of medical importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prachi Namjoshi
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Donald M Lubembe
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Egerton University, Egerton, Kenya
| | - Hameeda Sultana
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Girish Neelakanta
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA.
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2
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Niu XJ, Wang LJ, Meng H, Wang HF, Xu BH, Wang C. Role of c-Jun NH 2 -terminal kinase-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in response to pesticides in Apis cerana cerana. INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 30:47-64. [PMID: 35548935 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade pathway plays an important role in regulating stress responses. The function of the c-Jun NH2 -terminal kinase (JNK), a component of the MAPK cascade pathway, in Apis cerana cerana (Acc) remains unclear. Here, JNK was isolated and identified from Acc. Bioinformatics analyses revealed there is a typical serine/threonine protein kinase catalytic domain in the AccJNK protein. An expression profile analysis showed that AccJNK was significantly induced by pesticide treatments. To further explore the functional mechanisms of AccJNK, a yeast 2-hybrid screen was performed, activator protein-1 (AP-1) was screened as the interaction partner of AccJNK, and the interaction relationship was further verified by pull-down assay. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed the expression pattern of AccAP-1 was similar to that of AccJNK. After a knockdown of AccJNK or AccAP-1 by RNA interference, the survival rate of Acc after pesticide treatments increased. Additionally, the expression levels of antioxidant-related genes and the activities of antioxidant enzymes increased, suggesting that the knockdown of AccJNK or AccAP-1 increased the antioxidant capacity of bees. Our study revealed that the JNK-mediated MAPK pathway responds to pesticide stress by altering the antioxidant capacity of Acc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Jing Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, China
| | - Li-Jun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, China
| | - Hui Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, China
| | - Hong-Fang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, China
| | - Bao-Hua Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, China
| | - Chen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, China
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3
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Rickettsial pathogen inhibits tick cell death through tryptophan metabolite mediated activation of p38 MAP kinase. iScience 2022; 26:105730. [PMID: 36582833 PMCID: PMC9792911 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105730] [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: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum modulates various cell signaling pathways in mammalian cells for its survival. In this study, we report that A. phagocytophilum modulates tick tryptophan pathway to activate arthropod p38 MAP kinase for the survival of both this bacterium and its vector host. Increased level of tryptophan metabolite, xanthurenic acid (XA), was evident in A. phagocytophilum-infected ticks and tick cells. Lower levels of cell death markers and increased levels of total and phosphorylated p38 MAPK was noted in A. phagocytophilum-infected ticks and tick cells. Treatment with XA increased phosphorylated p38 MAPK levels and reduced cell death in A. phagocytophilum-infected tick cells. Furthermore, treatment with p38 MAPK inhibitor affected bacterial replication, decreased phosphorylated p38 MAPK levels and increased tick cell death. However, XA reversed these effects. Taken together, we provide evidence that rickettsial pathogen modulates arthropod tryptophan and p38 MAPK pathways to inhibit cell death for its survival in ticks.
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Ahmed W, Rajendran KV, Neelakanta G, Sultana H. An Experimental Murine Model to Study Acquisition Dynamics of Tick-Borne Langat Virus in Ixodes scapularis. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:849313. [PMID: 35495703 PMCID: PMC9048798 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.849313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Ixodes scapularis ticks acquire several pathogens from reservoir animals and transmit them to humans. Development of an animal model to study acquisition/transmission dynamics of these pathogens into and from ticks, respectively, is challenging due to the fact that in nature ticks feed for a longer duration and on multiple vertebrate hosts. To understand the complex nature of pathogen acquisition/transmission, it is essential to set up a successful tick blood feeding method on a suitable vertebrate host. In this study, we provide evidence that murine model can be successfully used to study acquisition dynamics of Langat virus (LGTV), a member of tick-borne flaviviruses. Mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with LGTV that showed detectable viral loads in blood, skin, and other tissues including the brain. Both larval and nymphal ticks that were allowed to feed on the murine host successfully acquired LGTV loads. Also, we found that after molting, LGTV was transstadially transmitted from larval to nymphal stage. In addition, we noted that LGTV down-regulated IsSMase expression in all groups of ticks possibly for its survival in its vector host. Taken together, we provide evidence for the use of murine model to not only study acquisition dynamics of LGTV but also to study changes in tick gene expression during acquisition of arboviruses into ticks.
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5
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Khanal S, Taank V, Anderson JF, Sultana H, Neelakanta G. Rickettsial Pathogen Perturbs Tick Circadian Gene to Infect the Vertebrate Host. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073545. [PMID: 35408905 PMCID: PMC8998576 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ixodes scapularis is a medically important tick that transmits several microbes to humans, including rickettsial pathogen Anaplasma phagocytophilum. In nature, these ticks encounter several abiotic factors including changes in temperature, humidity, and light. Many organisms use endogenously generated circadian pathways to encounter abiotic factors. In this study, we provide evidence for the first time to show that A. phagocytophilum modulates the arthropod circadian gene for its transmission to the vertebrate host. We noted a circadian oscillation in the expression of arthropod clock, bmal1, period and timeless genes when ticks or tick cells were exposed to alternate 12 h light: 12 h dark conditions. Moreover, A. phagocytophilum significantly modulates the oscillation pattern of expression of these genes. In addition, increased levels of clock and bmal1 and decreased expression of Toll and JAK/STAT pathway immune genes such as pelle and jak, respectively, were noted during A. phagocytophilum transmission from ticks to the vertebrate host. RNAi-mediated knockdown of clock gene expression in ticks resulted in the reduced expression of jak and pelle that increased bacterial transmission from ticks to the murine host. Furthermore, clock-deficient ticks fed late and had less engorgement weights. These results indicate an important role for circadian modulation of tick gene expression that is critical for arthropod blood feeding and transmission of pathogens from vector to the vertebrate host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supreet Khanal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA; (S.K.); (V.T.); (H.S.)
| | - Vikas Taank
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA; (S.K.); (V.T.); (H.S.)
| | - John F. Anderson
- Department of Entomology, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06511, USA;
| | - Hameeda Sultana
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA; (S.K.); (V.T.); (H.S.)
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA
| | - Girish Neelakanta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA; (S.K.); (V.T.); (H.S.)
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(865)-974-5715
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Salata C, Moutailler S, Attoui H, Zweygarth E, Decker L, Bell-Sakyi L. How relevant are in vitro culture models for study of tick-pathogen interactions? Pathog Glob Health 2021; 115:437-455. [PMID: 34190676 PMCID: PMC8635668 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2021.1944539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although tick-borne infectious diseases threaten human and animal health worldwide, with constantly increasing incidence, little knowledge is available regarding vector-pathogen interactions and pathogen transmission. In vivo laboratory study of these subjects using live, intact ticks is expensive, labor-intensive, and challenging from the points of view of biosafety and ethics. Several in vitro models have been developed, including over 70 continuous cell lines derived from multiple tick species and a variety of tick organ culture systems, facilitating many research activities. However, some limitations have to be considered in the translation of the results from the in vitro environment to the in vivo situation of live, intact ticks, and vertebrate hosts. In this review, we describe the available in vitro models and selected results from their application to the study of tick-borne viruses, bacteria, and protozoa, where possible comparing these results to studies in live, intact ticks. Finally, we highlight the strengths and weaknesses of in vitro tick culture models and their essential role in tick-borne pathogen research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiano Salata
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sara Moutailler
- Laboratoire De Santé Animale, Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Houssam Attoui
- Department of Animal Health, UMR1161 Virologie, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, ANSES, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Erich Zweygarth
- The Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Lygia Decker
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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7
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Taank V, Lattanzio FA, Sultana H, Neelakanta G. Double anus in an Ixodes scapularis nymph, a medically important tick vector. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:251. [PMID: 33975641 PMCID: PMC8112061 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04757-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ixodes scapularis ticks are medically important arthropod vectors that transmit several pathogens to humans. The observations of morphological abnormalities, including nanism, missing leg, extra leg, and gynandromorphism, have been reported in these ticks. In this study, we report the presence of two anuses in a laboratory-reared I. scapularis nymph. RESULTS Larval ticks were allowed to feed on mice and to molt to nymphs. Two anuses were observed in one of the freshly molted nymphs. Stereo and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of two anuses in one nymph within a single anal groove. CONCLUSIONS This report confirms the rare occurrence of double anus in I. scapularis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Taank
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Frank A Lattanzio
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Hameeda Sultana
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.,Center for Molecular Medicine, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.,Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Girish Neelakanta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA. .,Center for Molecular Medicine, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA. .,Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA.
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8
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O'Neal AJ, Singh N, Mendes MT, Pedra JHF. The genus Anaplasma: drawing back the curtain on tick-pathogen interactions. Pathog Dis 2021; 79:6207937. [PMID: 33792663 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftab022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne illnesses pose a serious concern to human and veterinary health and their prevalence is on the rise. The interactions between ticks and the pathogens they carry are largely undefined. However, the genus Anaplasma, a group of tick-borne bacteria, has been instrumental in uncovering novel paradigms in tick biology. The emergence of sophisticated technologies and the convergence of entomology with microbiology, immunology, metabolism and systems biology has brought tick-Anaplasma interactions to the forefront of vector biology with broader implications for the infectious disease community. Here, we discuss the use of Anaplasma as an instrument for the elucidation of novel principles in arthropod-microbe interactions. We offer an outlook of the primary areas of study, outstanding questions and future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anya J O'Neal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nisha Singh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Maria Tays Mendes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joao H F Pedra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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9
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Taank V, Ramasamy E, Sultana H, Neelakanta G. An efficient microinjection method to generate human anaplasmosis agent Anaplasma phagocytophilum-infected ticks. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15994. [PMID: 32994497 PMCID: PMC7524789 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73061-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are important vectors that transmit several pathogens including human anaplasmosis agent, Anaplasma phagocytophilum. This bacterium is an obligate intracellular rickettsial pathogen. An infected reservoir animal host is often required for maintenance of this bacterial colony and as a source for blood to perform needle inoculations in naïve animals for tick feeding studies. In this study, we report an efficient microinjection method to generate A. phagocytophilum-infected ticks in laboratory conditions. The dense-core (DC) form of A. phagocytophilum was isolated from in vitro cultures and injected into the anal pore of unfed uninfected Ixodes scapularis nymphal ticks. These ticks successfully transmitted A. phagocytophilum to the murine host. The bacterial loads were detected in murine blood, spleen, and liver tissues. In addition, larval ticks successfully acquired A. phagocytophilum from mice that were previously infected by feeding with DC-microinjected nymphal ticks. Transstadial transmission of A. phagocytophilum from larvae to nymphal stage was also evident in these ticks. Taken together, our study provides a timely, rapid, and an efficient method not only to generate A. phagocytophilum-infected ticks but also provides a tool to understand acquisition and transmission dynamics of this bacterium and perhaps other rickettsial pathogens from medically important vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Taank
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Ellango Ramasamy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Hameeda Sultana
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.,Center for Molecular Medicine, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Girish Neelakanta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA. .,Center for Molecular Medicine, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA. .,Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Molecular Medicine, College of Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA.
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10
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Dahmani M, Anderson JF, Sultana H, Neelakanta G. Rickettsial pathogen uses arthropod tryptophan pathway metabolites to evade reactive oxygen species in tick cells. Cell Microbiol 2020; 22:e13237. [PMID: 32562372 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are induced upon pathogen infection plays an important role in host defence. The rickettsial pathogen Anaplasma phagocytophilum, which is primarily transmitted by Ixodes scapularis ticks in the United States, has evolved many strategies to escape ROS and survive in mammalian cells. However, little is known on the role of ROS in A. phagocytophilum infection in ticks. Our results show that A. phagocytophilum and hemin induce activation of l-tryptophan pathway in tick cells. Xanthurenic acid (XA), a tryptophan metabolite, supports A. phagocytophilum growth in tick cells through inhibition of tryptophan dioxygenase (TDO) activity leading to reduced l-kynurenine levels that subsequently affects build-up of ROS. However, hemin supports A. phagocytophilum growth in tick cells by inducing TDO activity leading to increased l-kynurenine levels and ROS production. Our data reveal that XA and kynurenic acid (KA) chelate hemin. Furthermore, treatment of tick cells with 3-hydroxyl l-kynurenine limits A. phagocytophilum growth in tick cells. RNAi-mediated knockdown of kynurenine aminotransferase expression results in increased ROS production and reduced A. phagocytophilum burden in tick cells. Collectively, these results suggest that l-tryptophan pathway metabolites influence A. phagocytophilum survival by affecting build up of ROS levels in tick cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustapha Dahmani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - John F Anderson
- Department of Entomology, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Hameeda Sultana
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA.,Center for Molecular Medicine, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Girish Neelakanta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA.,Center for Molecular Medicine, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
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11
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Ramasamy E, Taank V, Anderson JF, Sultana H, Neelakanta G. Repression of tick microRNA-133 induces organic anion transporting polypeptide expression critical for Anaplasma phagocytophilum survival in the vector and transmission to the vertebrate host. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008856. [PMID: 32614824 PMCID: PMC7331985 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The microRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression. In this study, we provide evidence for the first time to show that rickettsial pathogen Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection results in the down-regulation of tick microRNA-133 (miR-133), to induce Ixodes scapularis organic anion transporting polypeptide (isoatp4056) gene expression critical for this bacterial survival in the vector and for its transmission to the vertebrate host. Transfection studies with recombinant constructs containing transcriptional fusions confirmed binding of miR-133 to isoatp4056 mRNA. Treatment with miR-133 inhibitor resulted in increased bacterial burden and isoatp4056 expression in ticks and tick cells. In contrast, treatment with miR-133 mimic or pre-mir-133 resulted in dramatic reduction in isoatp4056 expression and bacterial burden in ticks and tick cells. Moreover, treatment of ticks with pre-mir-133 affected vector-mediated A. phagocytophilum infection of murine host. These results provide novel insights to understand impact of modulation of tick miRNAs on pathogen colonization in the vector and their transmission to infect the vertebrate host. This study provides novel evidence that shows that down-regulation of arthropod microRNA-133 leading to enhanced expression of organic anion transporting polypeptide is not only critical for rickettsial pathogen Anaplasma phagocytophilum survival in ticks but also for this bacterial transmission from vector to the vertebrate host. Understanding how pathogens manipulate vector-signaling repertoire for their benefit would lead to the development of strategies to block their transmission from vector to the vertebrate host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellango Ramasamy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Vikas Taank
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, United States of America
| | - John F Anderson
- Department of Entomology, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Hameeda Sultana
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, United States of America
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Girish Neelakanta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, United States of America
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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12
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Regmi P, Khanal S, Neelakanta G, Sultana H. Tick-Borne Flavivirus Inhibits Sphingomyelinase ( IsSMase), a Venomous Spider Ortholog to Increase Sphingomyelin Lipid Levels for Its Survival in Ixodes scapularis Ticks. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:244. [PMID: 32656091 PMCID: PMC7325911 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Our previous study showed that cells from medically important arthropods, such as ticks, secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) including exosomes that mediate transmission of flavivirus RNA and proteins to the human cells. Understanding the molecular determinants and mechanism(s) of arthropod-borne flavivirus transmission via exosome biogenesis is very important. In this current study, we showed that in the presence of tick-borne Langat Virus (LGTV; a member of tick-borne encephalitis virus complex), the expression of arthropod IsSMase, a sphingomyelinase D (SMase D) that catalyzes the hydrolytic cleavage of substrates like sphingomyelin (SM) lipids, was significantly reduced in both Ixodes scapularis ticks (in vivo) and in tick cells (in vitro). The IsSMase reduced levels correlated with down-regulation of its activity upon LGTV replication in tick cells. Our data show that LGTV-mediated suppression of IsSMase allowed accumulation of SM lipid levels that supported membrane-associated viral replication and exosome biogenesis. Inhibition of viral loads and SM lipid built up upon GW4869 inhibitor treatment reversed the IsSMase levels and restored its activity. Our results suggest an important role for this spider venomous ortholog IsSMase in regulating viral replication associated with membrane-bound SM lipids in ticks. In summary, our study not only suggests a novel role for arthropod IsSMase in tick-LGTV interactions but also provides new insights into its important function in vector defense mechanism(s) against tick-borne virus infection and in anti-viral pathway(s).
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Affiliation(s)
- Pravesh Regmi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, United States
| | - Supreet Khanal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, United States
| | - Girish Neelakanta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, United States
| | - Hameeda Sultana
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, United States.,Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
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13
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Turck JW, Taank V, Neelakanta G, Sultana H. Ixodes scapularis Src tyrosine kinase facilitates Anaplasma phagocytophilum survival in its arthropod vector. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:838-847. [PMID: 31000483 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the agent of human anaplasmosis, is an obligate intracellular bacterium that uses multiple survival strategies to persist in Ixodes scapularis ticks. Our previous study showed that A. phagocytophilum efficiently induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of several Ixodes proteins that includes extended phosphorylation of actin at tyrosine residue Y178. In order to identify the tyrosine kinase responsible for the A. phagocytophilum induced tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins, we combed the I. scapularis genome and identified a non-receptor Src tyrosine kinase ortholog. I. scapularis Src kinase showed high degree of amino acid sequence conservation with Dsrc from Drosophila melanogaster. We noted that at different developmental stages of I. scapularis ticks, larvae expressed significantly higher levels of src transcripts in comparison to the other stages. We found that A. phagocytophilum significantly reduced Src levels in unfed nymphs and in nymphs while blood feeding (48 h during feeding) in comparison to the levels noted to relative uninfected controls. However, A. phagocytophilum increased Src levels in fully engorged larvae and nymphs (48 h post feeding) and in vitro tick cells in comparison to the relative uninfected controls. Inhibition of Src kinase expression and activity by treatment with src-dsRNA or Src-inhibitor, respectively, significantly reduced A. phagocytophilum loads in ticks and tick cells. Overall, our study provides evidence for the important role of I. scapularis Src kinase in facilitating A. phagocytophilum colonization and survival in the arthropod vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy W Turck
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Vikas Taank
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Girish Neelakanta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA; Center for Molecular Medicine, College of Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.
| | - Hameeda Sultana
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA; Center for Molecular Medicine, College of Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.
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Cabezas-Cruz A, Espinosa P, Alberdi P, de la Fuente J. Tick-Pathogen Interactions: The Metabolic Perspective. Trends Parasitol 2019; 35:316-328. [PMID: 30711437 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The first tick genome published in 2016 provided an invaluable tool for studying the molecular basis of tick-pathogen interactions. Metabolism is a key element in host-pathogen interactions. However, our knowledge of tick-pathogen metabolic interactions is very limited. Recently, a systems biology approach, using omics datasets, has revealed that tick-borne pathogen infection induces transcriptional reprograming affecting several metabolic pathways in ticks, facilitating infection, multiplication, and transmission. Results suggest that the response of tick cells to tick-borne pathogens is associated with tolerance to infection. Here we review our current understanding of the modulation of tick metabolism by tick-borne pathogens, with a focus on the model intracellular bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- UMR BIPAR, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, ANSES, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Pedro Espinosa
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Pilar Alberdi
- 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, USA.
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