1
|
Lin Y, Pascall DJ. Characterisation of putative novel tick viruses and zoonotic risk prediction. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e10814. [PMID: 38259958 PMCID: PMC10800298 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Tick-associated viruses remain a substantial zoonotic risk worldwide, so knowledge of the diversity of tick viruses has potential health consequences. Despite their importance, large amounts of sequences in public data sets from tick meta-genomic and -transcriptomic projects remain unannotated, sequence data that could contain undocumented viruses. Through data mining and bioinformatic analysis of more than 37,800 public meta-genomic and -transcriptomic data sets, we found 83 unannotated contigs exhibiting high identity with known tick viruses. These putative viral contigs were classified into three RNA viral families (Alphatetraviridae, Orthomyxoviridae and Chuviridae) and one DNA viral family (Asfarviridae). After manual checking of quality and dissimilarity towards other sequences in the data set, these 83 contigs were reduced to five contigs in the Alphatetraviridae from four putative viruses, four in the Orthomyxoviridae from two putative viruses and one in the Chuviridae which clustered with known tick-associated viruses, forming a separate clade within the viral families. We further attempted to assess which previously known tick viruses likely represent zoonotic risks and thus deserve further investigation. We ranked the human infection potential of 133 known tick-associated viruses using a genome composition-based machine learning model. We found five high-risk tick-associated viruses (Langat virus, Lonestar tick chuvirus 1, Grotenhout virus, Taggert virus and Johnston Atoll virus) that have not been known to infect human and two viral families (Nairoviridae and Phenuiviridae) that contain a large proportion of potential zoonotic tick-associated viruses. This adds to the knowledge of tick virus diversity and highlights the importance of surveillance of newly emerging tick-associated diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Lin
- MRC Biostatistics UnitUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Royal Veterinary CollegeUniversity of LondonLondonUK
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cerri F, Araujo MDS, Aguirre ADAR, Evaristo GPC, Evaristo JAM, Nogueira FCS, de Medeiros JF, Dias QM. Crude saliva of Amblyomma cajennense sensu stricto (Acari: Ixodidae) reduces locomotor activity and increases the hemocyte number in the females of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). Exp Parasitol 2023:108570. [PMID: 37330106 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Aedes aegypti are vector insects of arboviruses such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. All available vector control methods have limited efficacy, highlighting the urgent need to find alternative ones. Evidence shows that arachnids like ticks are sources of biologically active compounds. Moreover, chemical modulation of the locomotor and immune systems of vector insects can be used to control arbovirus transmission. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of crude saliva of female Amblyomma cajennense sensu stricto (s.s.) ticks in reducing locomotor activity and inducing an immune response in Ae. aegypti females. Additionally, the study evaluated the protein constitution of tick saliva. For this purpose, the crude saliva obtained from several semi-engorged A. cajennense females was used. A volume of 0.2 nL of crude tick saliva was administered to mosquitoes by direct intrathoracic microinjection. The effect of the tick's saliva on the locomotor activity of the mosquito was observed using Flybox, a video-automated monitoring system, and the hemolymph hemocyte levels were quantified by reading slides under a light microscope. The protein concentration of the crude tick saliva was 1.27 μg/μL, and its electrophoretic profile indicates the presence of proteins with a molecular weight ranging between ∼17 and 95 kDa. Microplusins, ixodegrins, cystatin, actins, beta-actin, calponin, albumin, alpha-globulins, and hemoglobin were the main proteins identified by proteomics in the saliva of A. cajennense. The microinjected saliva had low toxicity for Ae. aegypti females and significantly reduced their locomotor activity, especially in the transition between the light and dark phases. The crude tick saliva did not change the period and rhythmicity of the circadian cycle. The tick saliva significantly increased the number of hemocytes two days after injection and reduced it after five days. These results suggest that further evaluation of the biological properties of tick saliva proteins against Ae. aegypti would be of interest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabiano Cerri
- Laboratório de Neuro e Imunofarmacologia (NIMFAR) - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ Rondônia) - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Universidade Federal de Rondônia - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Experimental, (PGBIOEXP), Brazil
| | - Maisa da Silva Araujo
- Laboratório de Entomologia/Plataforma de Produção e Infecção de Vetores da Malária (PIVEM) - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ Rondônia) - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - André de Abreu Rangel Aguirre
- Laboratório de Entomologia/Plataforma de Produção e Infecção de Vetores da Malária (PIVEM) - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ Rondônia) - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | | | - Joseph Albert Medeiros Evaristo
- Laboratório de Proteômica, LADETEC, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fábio César Sousa Nogueira
- Laboratório de Proteômica, LADETEC, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Jansen Fernandes de Medeiros
- Universidade Federal de Rondônia - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Experimental, (PGBIOEXP), Brazil; Laboratório de Entomologia/Plataforma de Produção e Infecção de Vetores da Malária (PIVEM) - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ Rondônia) - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Quintino Moura Dias
- Laboratório de Neuro e Imunofarmacologia (NIMFAR) - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ Rondônia) - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Neuroimunomodulação (INCT - NIM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Universidade Federal de Rondônia - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Experimental, (PGBIOEXP), Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
The Ixodes ricinus salivary gland proteome during feeding and B. Afzelii infection: New avenues for an anti-tick vaccine. Vaccine 2023; 41:1951-1960. [PMID: 36797101 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, the causative agents of Lyme borreliosis, are transmitted by Ixodes ticks. Tick saliva proteins are instrumental for survival of both the vector and spirochete and have been investigated as targets for vaccine targeting the vector. In Europe, the main vector for Lyme borreliosis is Ixodes ricinus, which predominantly transmits Borrelia afzelii. We here investigated the differential production of I. ricinus tick saliva proteins in response to feeding and B. afzelii infection. METHOD Label-free Quantitative Proteomics and Progenesis QI software was used to identify, compare, and select tick salivary gland proteins differentially produced during tick feeding and in response to B. afzelii infection. Tick saliva proteins were selected for validation, recombinantly expressed and used in both mouse and guinea pig vaccination and tick-challenge studies. RESULTS We identified 870 I. ricinus proteins from which 68 were overrepresented upon 24-hours of feeding and B. afzelii infection. Selected tick proteins were successfully validated by confirming their expression at the RNA and native protein level in independent tick pools. When used in a recombinant vaccine formulation, these tick proteins significantly reduced the post-engorgement weights of I. ricinus nymphs in two experimental animal models. Despite the reduced ability of ticks to feed on vaccinated animals, we observed efficient transmission of B. afzelii to the murine host. CONCLUSION Using quantitative proteomics, we identified differential protein production in I. ricinus salivary glands in response to B. afzelii infection and different feeding conditions. These results provide novel insights into the process of I. ricinus feeding and B. afzelii transmission and revealed novel candidates for an anti-tick vaccine.
Collapse
|
4
|
Hart CE, Middleton FA, Thangamani S. Infection with Borrelia burgdorferi Increases the Replication and Dissemination of Coinfecting Powassan Virus in Ixodes scapularis Ticks. Viruses 2022; 14:1584. [PMID: 35891563 PMCID: PMC9319581 DOI: 10.3390/v14071584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Powassan virus (POWV) is a tick-borne neuroinvasive flavivirus endemic to North America. It is generally transmitted by the tick, Ixodes scapularis. This species also transmits Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. Infection with B. burgdorferi can result in arthritis, carditis, and neuroborreliosis. These pathogens experience sylvatic overlap. To determine the risk of human exposure to coinfected ticks, the interactions between POWV and B. burgdorferi are assessed in laboratory-infected I. scapularis. Adult male and female I. scapularis ticks are orally inoculated with either both pathogens, POWV only, B. burgdorferi only, or uninfected media. After twenty-one days, the ticks are dissected, and RNA is extracted from their midguts and salivary glands. In infected midguts, the quantity of POWV in coinfected ticks was elevated compared to those with only POWV. In addition, the salivary glands of ticks with infected midguts had increased POWV dissemination to those with only POWV. RNA sequencing is performed to identify the potential mechanism for this pattern, which varies between the organs. Ixodes scapularis ticks are found to be capable of harboring both POWV and B. burgdorferi with a benefit to POWV replication and dissemination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charles E. Hart
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA;
- SUNY Center for Vector-Borne Diseases, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- Institute for Global Health and Translational Sciences, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Frank A. Middleton
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA;
| | - Saravanan Thangamani
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA;
- SUNY Center for Vector-Borne Diseases, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- Institute for Global Health and Translational Sciences, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Podbićanin-Ziburt A, Falk TM, Metze D, Böer-Auer A. Diagnosis of Lyme Borreliosis With a Novel, Seminested Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Targeting the 5S-23S Intergenic Spacer Region: Clinical Features, Histopathology, and Immunophenotype in 44 Patients. Am J Dermatopathol 2022; 44:338-347. [PMID: 34966044 DOI: 10.1097/dad.0000000000002119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common tick-borne infection in Europe and North America. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an important tool to confirm the diagnosis, but not always successful, especially when organisms are sparse. We developed a novel, seminested real-time PCR assay [target: 5S-23S intergenic spacer region (IGS)] and compared it with 3 well-established conventional PCR assays (IGS/OspA/real-time IGS) on 596 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded routine skin biopsies. The seminested real-time assay identified 46 cases of borreliosis while 25, 27, and 38 were identified by the 3 other assays, respectively (P 0.01, P 0.02, and P 0.42; significance P < 0.05). Clinicopathologic and immunophenotypic analysis of PCR-positive cases revealed 38 erythema migrans (EM), 6 Borrelia lymphocytomas, and 2 acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (ACA). In the 44 PCR-confirmed cases, plasma cells were present in only a third of EM cases. By contrast, CD123-positive plasmacytoid dendritic cells were common (74%) and therefore are unlikely to be helpful in the differential diagnosis between EM and tumid lupus erythematosus. A loss of CD34 in a third of all LB specimens limits its diagnostic value in the differential diagnosis with morphea. Interstitial macrophages were common in cutaneous LB (42/43) forming interstitial granulomas in a third of all cases, and 3/38 EM, 3/6 Borrelia lymphocytomas, and 1/2 ACA were only identified by the new seminested real-time assay, suggesting that it is especially helpful in confirming the diagnosis of Borrelia lymphocytoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dieter Metze
- Department of Dermatology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Almut Böer-Auer
- Dermatologikum Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany ; and
- Department of Dermatology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ali A, Zeb I, Alouffi A, Zahid H, Almutairi MM, Ayed Alshammari F, Alrouji M, Termignoni C, Vaz IDS, Tanaka T. Host Immune Responses to Salivary Components - A Critical Facet of Tick-Host Interactions. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:809052. [PMID: 35372098 PMCID: PMC8966233 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.809052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick sialome is comprised of a rich cocktail of bioactive molecules that function as a tool to disarm host immunity, assist blood-feeding, and play a vibrant role in pathogen transmission. The adaptation of the tick's blood-feeding behavior has lead to the evolution of bioactive molecules in its saliva to assist them to overwhelm hosts' defense mechanisms. During a blood meal, a tick secretes different salivary molecules including vasodilators, platelet aggregation inhibitors, anticoagulants, anti-inflammatory proteins, and inhibitors of complement activation; the salivary repertoire changes to meet various needs such as tick attachment, feeding, and modulation or impairment of the local dynamic and vigorous host responses. For instance, the tick's salivary immunomodulatory and cement proteins facilitate the tick's attachment to the host to enhance prolonged blood-feeding and to modulate the host's innate and adaptive immune responses. Recent advances implemented in the field of "omics" have substantially assisted our understanding of host immune modulation and immune inhibition against the molecular dynamics of tick salivary molecules in a crosstalk between the tick-host interface. A deep understanding of the tick salivary molecules, their substantial roles in multifactorial immunological cascades, variations in secretion, and host immune responses against these molecules is necessary to control these parasites. In this article, we reviewed updated knowledge about the molecular mechanisms underlying host responses to diverse elements in tick saliva throughout tick invasion, as well as host defense strategies. In conclusion, understanding the mechanisms involved in the complex interactions between the tick salivary components and host responses is essential to decipher the host defense mechanisms against the tick evasion strategies at tick-host interface which is promising in the development of effective anti-tick vaccines and drug therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Ismail Zeb
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Abdulaziz Alouffi
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hafsa Zahid
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Mashal M. Almutairi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahdah Ayed Alshammari
- College of Sciences and Literature Microbiology, Nothern Border University, Rafha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alrouji
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, Shaqra University, Shaqra, Saudi Arabia
| | - Carlos Termignoni
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hromníková D, Furka D, Furka S, Santana JAD, Ravingerová T, Klöcklerová V, Žitňan D. Prevention of tick-borne diseases: challenge to recent medicine. Biologia (Bratisl) 2022; 77:1533-1554. [PMID: 35283489 PMCID: PMC8905283 DOI: 10.1007/s11756-021-00966-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Ticks represent important vectors and reservoirs of pathogens, causing a number of diseases in humans and animals, and significant damage to livestock every year. Modern research into protection against ticks and tick-borne diseases focuses mainly on the feeding stage, i.e. the period when ticks take their blood meal from their hosts during which pathogens are transmitted. Physiological functions in ticks, such as food intake, saliva production, reproduction, development, and others are under control of neuropeptides and peptide hormones which may be involved in pathogen transmission that cause Lyme borreliosis or tick-borne encephalitis. According to current knowledge, ticks are not reservoirs or vectors for the spread of COVID-19 disease. The search for new vaccination methods to protect against ticks and their transmissible pathogens is a challenge for current science in view of global changes, including the increasing migration of the human population. Highlights • Tick-borne diseases have an increasing incidence due to climate change and increased human migration • To date, there is no evidence of transmission of coronavirus COVID-19 by tick as a vector • To date, there are only a few modern, effective, and actively- used vaccines against ticks or tick-borne diseases • Neuropeptides and their receptors expressed in ticks may be potentially used for vaccine design
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Hromníková
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Zoology, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84506 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Daniel Furka
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Comenius University, Mlynská dolina, Ilkovičova 6, 84104 Bratislava, SK Slovakia
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Heart Research, Dúbravská cesta 9, SK 84005 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Samuel Furka
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Comenius University, Mlynská dolina, Ilkovičova 6, 84104 Bratislava, SK Slovakia
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Heart Research, Dúbravská cesta 9, SK 84005 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Julio Ariel Dueñas Santana
- Chemical Engineering Department, University of Matanzas, Km 3 Carretera a Varadero, 44740 Matanzas, CU Cuba
| | - Táňa Ravingerová
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Heart Research, Dúbravská cesta 9, SK 84005 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Vanda Klöcklerová
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Zoology, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84506 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Dušan Žitňan
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Zoology, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84506 Bratislava, Slovakia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sui N, Zhang R, Jiang Y, Yu H, Xu G, Wang J, Zhu Y, Xie Z, Hu J, Jiang S. Integrated miRNA and mRNA Expression Profiles Reveal Differentially Expressed miR-222a as an Antiviral Factor Against Duck Hepatitis A Virus Type 1 Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:811556. [PMID: 35047423 PMCID: PMC8761743 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.811556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Duck hepatitis A virus 1 (DHAV-1) is a highly contagious etiological agent that causes acute hepatitis in young ducklings. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important regulatory roles in response to pathogens. However, the interplay between DHAV-1 infection and miRNAs remains ambiguous. We characterized and compared miRNA and mRNA expression profiles in duck embryo fibroblasts cells (DEFs) infected with DHAV-1. In total, 36 and 96 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs, and 4110 and 2595 DE mRNAs, were identified at 12 and 24 h after infection. In particular, 126 and 275 miRNA-mRNA pairs with a negative correlation were chosen to construct an interaction network. Subsequently, we identified the functional annotation of DE mRNAs and target genes of DE miRNAs enriched in diverse Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, which may be important for virus resistance, cell proliferation, and metabolism. Moreover, upregulated miR-222a could negatively regulate DHAV-1 replication in DEFs and downregulate integrin subunit beta 3 (ITGB3) expression by targeting the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR), indicating that miR-222a may modulate DHAV-1 replication via interaction with ITGB3. In conclusion, the results reveal changes of mRNAs and miRNAs during DHAV-1 infection and suggest miR-222a as an antiviral factor against DHAV-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nana Sui
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Taian, China
| | - Ruihua Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Taian, China
| | - Yue Jiang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Taian, China
| | - Honglei Yu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Taian, China
| | - Guige Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Taian, China
| | - Jingyu Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Taian, China
| | - Yanli Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Taian, China
| | - Zhijing Xie
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Taian, China
| | - Jiaqing Hu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Taian, China.,Shandong GreenBlue Biotechnology Co. Ltd. Economic Development Zone, Ningyang County, Taian, China
| | - Shijin Jiang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Taian, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Pérez-Sánchez R, Carnero-Morán A, Luz Valero M, Oleaga A. A proteomics informed by transcriptomics insight into the proteome of Ornithodoros erraticus adult tick saliva. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:1. [PMID: 34980218 PMCID: PMC8722417 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05118-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The argasid tick Ornithodoros erraticus is the main vector of tick-borne human relapsing fever (TBRF) and African swine fever (ASF) in the Mediterranean Basin. The prevention and control of these diseases would greatly benefit from the elimination of O. erraticus populations, and anti-tick vaccines are envisaged as an effective and sustainable alternative to chemical acaricide usage for tick control. Ornithodoros erraticus saliva contains bioactive proteins that play essential functions in tick feeding and host defence modulation, which may contribute to host infection by tick-borne pathogens. Hence, these proteins could be candidate antigen targets for the development of vaccines aimed at the control and prevention of O. erraticus infestations and the diseases this tick transmits. The objective of the present work was to obtain and characterise the proteome of the saliva of O. erraticus adult ticks as a means to identify and select novel salivary antigen targets. METHODS A proteomics informed by transcriptomics (PIT) approach was applied to analyse samples of female and male saliva separately using the previously obtained O. erraticus sialotranscriptome as a reference database and two different mass spectrometry techniques, namely liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in data-dependent acquisition mode and sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion spectra MS (SWATH-MS). RESULTS Up to 264 and 263 proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS in the saliva of O. erraticus female and male ticks, respectively, totalling 387 non-redundant proteins. Of these, 224 were further quantified by SWATH-MS in the saliva of both male and female ticks. Quantified proteins were classified into 23 functional categories and their abundance compared between sexes. Heme/iron-binding proteins, protease inhibitors, proteases, lipocalins and immune-related proteins were the categories most abundantly expressed in females, while glycolytic enzymes, protease inhibitors and lipocalins were the most abundantly expressed in males. Ninety-seven proteins were differentially expressed between the sexes, of which 37 and 60 were overexpressed in females and males, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The PIT approach demonstrated its usefulness for proteomics studies of O. erraticus, a non-model organism without genomic sequences available, allowing the publication of the first comprehensive proteome of the saliva of O. erraticus reported to date. These findings confirm important quantitative differences between sexes in the O. erraticus saliva proteome, unveil novel salivary proteins and functions at the tick-host feeding interface and improve our understanding of the physiology of feeding in O. erraticus ticks. The integration of O. erraticus sialoproteomic and sialotranscriptomic data will drive a more rational selection of salivary candidates as antigen targets for the development of vaccines aimed at the control of O. erraticus infestations and the diseases it transmits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Pérez-Sánchez
- Parasitology Laboratory, Spanish National Research Council Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology (CSIC-IRNASA), Cordel de Merinas, 40-52, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Angel Carnero-Morán
- Parasitology Laboratory, Spanish National Research Council Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology (CSIC-IRNASA), Cordel de Merinas, 40-52, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
| | - M. Luz Valero
- Proteomics Section, Central Service for Experimental Research, University of Valencia, Carrer del Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Ana Oleaga
- Parasitology Laboratory, Spanish National Research Council Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology (CSIC-IRNASA), Cordel de Merinas, 40-52, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
- Proteomics Section, Central Service for Experimental Research, University of Valencia, Carrer del Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Trentelman JJA, Tomás-Cortázar J, Knorr S, Barriales D, Hajdusek O, Sima R, Ersoz JI, Narasimhan S, Fikrig E, Nijhof AM, Anguita J, Hovius JW. Probing an Ixodes ricinus salivary gland yeast surface display with tick-exposed human sera to identify novel candidates for an anti-tick vaccine. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15745. [PMID: 34344917 PMCID: PMC8333314 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92538-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In Europe, Ixodes ricinus is the most important vector of human infectious diseases, most notably Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis virus. Multiple non-natural hosts of I. ricinus have shown to develop immunity after repeated tick bites. Tick immunity has also been shown to impair B. burgdorferi transmission. Most interestingly, multiple tick bites reduced the likelihood of contracting Lyme borreliosis in humans. A vaccine that mimics tick immunity could therefore potentially prevent Lyme borreliosis in humans. A yeast surface display library (YSD) of nymphal I. ricinus salivary gland genes expressed at 24, 48 and 72 h into tick feeding was constructed and probed with antibodies from humans repeatedly bitten by ticks, identifying twelve immunoreactive tick salivary gland proteins (TSGPs). From these, three proteins were selected for vaccination studies. An exploratory vaccination study in cattle showed an anti-tick effect when all three antigens were combined. However, immunization of rabbits did not provide equivalent levels of protection. Our results show that YSD is a powerful tool to identify immunodominant antigens in humans exposed to tick bites, yet vaccination with the three selected TSGPs did not provide protection in the present form. Future efforts will focus on exploring the biological functions of these proteins, consider alternative systems for recombinant protein generation and vaccination platforms and assess the potential of the other identified immunogenic TSGPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jos J A Trentelman
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam Multidisciplinary Lyme Borreliosis Center, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Julen Tomás-Cortázar
- CIC bioGUNE-Basque Research and Technology Alliance, 48160, Derio, Spain.,UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Sarah Knorr
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Diego Barriales
- CIC bioGUNE-Basque Research and Technology Alliance, 48160, Derio, Spain
| | - Ondrej Hajdusek
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Sima
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jasmin I Ersoz
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam Multidisciplinary Lyme Borreliosis Center, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sukanya Narasimhan
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Erol Fikrig
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ard M Nijhof
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Juan Anguita
- CIC bioGUNE-Basque Research and Technology Alliance, 48160, Derio, Spain.,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48012, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Joppe W Hovius
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam Multidisciplinary Lyme Borreliosis Center, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Identification and Characterization of Immunodominant Proteins from Tick Tissue Extracts Inducing a Protective Immune Response against Ixodes ricinus in Cattle. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9060636. [PMID: 34200738 PMCID: PMC8229163 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9060636] [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: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ixodes ricinus is the main vector of tick-borne diseases in Europe. An immunization trial of calves with soluble extracts of I. ricinus salivary glands (SGE) or midgut (ME) previously showed a strong response against subsequent tick challenge, resulting in diminished tick feeding success. Immune sera from these trials were used for the co-immunoprecipitation of tick tissue extracts, followed by LC-MS/MS analyses. This resulted in the identification of 46 immunodominant proteins that were differentially recognized by the serum of immunized calves. Some of these proteins had previously also drawn attention as potential anti-tick vaccine candidates using other approaches. Selected proteins were studied in more detail by measuring their relative expression in tick tissues and RNA interference (RNAi) studies. The strongest RNAi phenotypes were observed for MG6 (A0A147BXB7), a protein containing eight fibronectin type III domains predominantly expressed in tick midgut and ovaries of feeding females, and SG2 (A0A0K8RKT7), a glutathione-S-transferase that was found to be upregulated in all investigated tissues upon feeding. The results demonstrated that co-immunoprecipitation of tick proteins with host immune sera followed by protein identification using LC-MS/MS is a valid approach to identify antigen–antibody interactions, and could be integrated into anti-tick vaccine discovery pipelines.
Collapse
|
12
|
Klouwens MJ, Trentelman JJA, Wagemakers A, Ersoz JI, Bins AD, Hovius JW. Tick-Tattoo: DNA Vaccination Against B. burgdorferi or Ixodes scapularis Tick Proteins. Front Immunol 2021; 12:615011. [PMID: 33717102 PMCID: PMC7946838 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.615011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (sl) is the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis. Currently there is no human vaccine against Lyme borreliosis, and most research focuses on recombinant protein vaccines. DNA tattoo vaccination with B. afzelii strain PKo OspC in mice has proven to be fully protective against B. afzelii syringe challenge and induces a favorable humoral immunity compared to recombinant protein vaccination. Alternatively, several recombinant protein vaccines based on tick proteins have shown promising effect in tick-bite infection models. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of DNA vaccines against Borrelia OspC or tick antigens in a tick-bite infection model. Method We vaccinated C3H/HeN mice with OspC using a codon-optimized DNA vaccine or with recombinant protein. We challenged these mice with B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (ss)-infected Ixodes scapularis nymphs. Subsequently, we vaccinated C3H/HeN mice with DNA vaccines coding for tick proteins for which recombinant protein vaccines have previously resulted in interference with tick feeding and/or Borrelia transmission: Salp15, tHRF, TSLPI, and Tix-5. These mice were also challenged with B. burgdorferi ss infected Ixodes scapularis nymphs. Results DNA tattoo and recombinant OspC vaccination both induced total IgG responses. Borrelia cultures and DNA loads of skin and bladder remained negative in the mice vaccinated with OspC DNA vaccination, except for one culture. DNA vaccines against tick antigens Salp15 and Tix-5 induced IgG responses, while those against tHRF and TSLPI barely induced any IgG response. In addition, Borrelia cultures, and DNA loads from mice tattooed with DNA vaccines against tick proteins TSLPI, Salp15, tHRF, and Tix-5 were all positive. Conclusion A DNA tattoo vaccine against OspC induced high specific IgG titers and provided near total protection against B. burgdorferi ss infection by tick challenge. In contrast, DNA tattoo vaccines against tick proteins TSLPI, Salp15, tHRF, and Tix-5 induced low to moderate IgG titers and did not provide protection. Therefore, DNA tattoo vaccination does not seem a suitable vaccine strategy to identify, or screen for, tick antigens for anti-tick vaccines. However, DNA tattoo vaccination is a straightforward and effective vaccination platform to assess novel B. burgdorferi sl antigen candidates in a relevant tick challenge model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle J Klouwens
- Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Multidisciplinary Lyme Borreliosis Center, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jos J A Trentelman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Alex Wagemakers
- Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jasmin I Ersoz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Adriaan D Bins
- Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Joppe W Hovius
- Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Multidisciplinary Lyme Borreliosis Center, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Changing the Recipe: Pathogen Directed Changes in Tick Saliva Components. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18041806. [PMID: 33673273 PMCID: PMC7918122 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are obligate hematophagous parasites and are important vectors of a wide variety of pathogens. These pathogens include spirochetes in the genus Borrelia that cause Lyme disease, rickettsial pathogens, and tick-borne encephalitis virus, among others. Due to their prolonged feeding period of up to two weeks, hard ticks must counteract vertebrate host defense reactions in order to survive and reproduce. To overcome host defense mechanisms, ticks have evolved a large number of pharmacologically active molecules that are secreted in their saliva, which inhibits or modulates host immune defenses and wound healing responses upon injection into the bite site. These bioactive molecules in tick saliva can create a privileged environment in the host’s skin that tick-borne pathogens take advantage of. In fact, evidence is accumulating that tick-transmitted pathogens manipulate tick saliva composition to enhance their own survival, transmission, and evasion of host defenses. We review what is known about specific and functionally characterized tick saliva molecules in the context of tick infection with the genus Borrelia, the intracellular pathogen Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and tick-borne encephalitis virus. Additionally, we review studies analyzing sialome-level responses to pathogen challenge.
Collapse
|
14
|
Mahmood S, Sima R, Urbanova V, Trentelman JJA, Krezdorn N, Winter P, Kopacek P, Hovius JW, Hajdusek O. Identification of Tick Ixodes ricinus Midgut Genes Differentially Expressed During the Transmission of Borrelia afzelii Spirochetes Using a Transcriptomic Approach. Front Immunol 2021; 11:612412. [PMID: 33613535 PMCID: PMC7890033 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.612412] [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: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis is an emerging tick-borne disease caused by spirochetes Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. In Europe, Lyme borreliosis is predominantly caused by Borrelia afzelii and transmitted by Ixodes ricinus. Although Borrelia behavior throughout tick development is quite well documented, specific molecular interactions between Borrelia and the tick have not been satisfactorily examined. Here, we present the first transcriptomic study focused on the expression of tick midgut genes regulated by Borrelia. By using massive analysis of cDNA ends (MACE), we searched for tick transcripts expressed differentially in the midgut of unfed, 24h-fed, and fully fed I. ricinus nymphs infected with B. afzelii. In total, we identified 553 upregulated and 530 downregulated tick genes and demonstrated that B. afzelii interacts intensively with the tick. Technical and biological validations confirmed the accuracy of the transcriptome. The expression of five validated tick genes was silenced by RNA interference. Silencing of the uncharacterized protein (GXP_Contig_30818) delayed the infection progress and decreased infection prevalence in the target mice tissues. Silencing of other genes did not significantly affect tick feeding nor the transmission of B. afzelii, suggesting a possible role of these genes rather in Borrelia acquisition or persistence in ticks. Identification of genes and proteins exploited by Borrelia during transmission and establishment in a tick could help the development of novel preventive strategies for Lyme borreliosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sazzad Mahmood
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Radek Sima
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Veronika Urbanova
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Jos J A Trentelman
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Nicolas Krezdorn
- GenXPro GmbH, Frankfurt Innovation Center Biotechnology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Peter Winter
- GenXPro GmbH, Frankfurt Innovation Center Biotechnology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Petr Kopacek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Joppe W Hovius
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ondrej Hajdusek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| |
Collapse
|