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Wu J, Zhou X, Chen Q, Chen Z, Zhang J, Yang L, Sun Y, Wang G, Dai J, Feng T. Defensins as a promising class of tick antimicrobial peptides: a scoping review. Infect Dis Poverty 2022; 11:71. [PMID: 35725522 PMCID: PMC9208123 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-022-00996-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks are hematophagous parasites that transmit an extensive range of pathogens to their vertebrate hosts. Ticks can destroy invading microorganisms or alleviate infection via their rudimentary but orchestrated innate immune system. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are important components of tick innate immunity. Among these humoral effector molecules, defensins are well-studied and widely identified in various species of Ixodidae (hard ticks) and Argasidae (soft ticks). This review was aimed at presenting the characterization of tick defensins from structure-based taxonomic status to antimicrobial function. Main text All published papers written in English from 2001 to May 2022 were searched through PubMed and Web of Science databases with the combination of relevant terms on tick defensins. Reports on identification and characterization of tick defensins were included. Of the 329 entries retrieved, 57 articles were finally eligible for our scoping review. Tick defensins mainly belong to the antibacterial ancient invertebrate-type defensins of the cis-defensins superfamily. They are generally small, cationic, and amphipathic, with six cysteine residues forming three intra-molecular disulfide bonds. Tick defensins primarily target membranes of a variety of pathogens, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. Since tick defensins have a high degree of variability, we summarize their common biological properties and enumerate representative peptides. Along with the various and potent antimicrobial activities, the role of tick defensins in determining vector competence is discussed. Conclusions Due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities, tick defensins are considered novel candidates or targets for controlling infectious diseases. Graphical Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Wu
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xia Zhou
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Science, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Qiaoqiao Chen
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhiqiang Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jinyu Zhang
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Lele Yang
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yuxuan Sun
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Guohui Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China.
| | - Jianfeng Dai
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Tingting Feng
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
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Ji Z, Jian M, Yue P, Cao W, Xu X, Zhang Y, Pan Y, Yang J, Chen J, Liu M, Fan Y, Su X, Wen S, Kong J, Li B, Dong Y, Zhou G, Liu A, Bao F. Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi in Ixodidae Tick around Asia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11020143. [PMID: 35215089 PMCID: PMC8879681 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease (LD) is a common arthropod-borne inflammatory disorder prevalent in the northern hemisphere. LD is caused by a spirochete named Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., which is transmitted to humans by ticks. Climate, environment, and other factors affect land use; recreational-behavior changes affect human contact with infected ticks. Studies in Europe and North America have looked at these aspects, but studies in Asia have not. We searched databases to identify all relevant abstracts published until March 2021. A meta-analysis was undertaken using the standard methods and procedures established by the Cochrane Collaboration. Ninety-one articles were included in our meta-analysis. The literature search identified data from nine countries (China, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia Siberia region, South Korea, Thailand and Turkey). Furthermore, 53,003 ticks from six genera (Amblyomma, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, Ixodes and Rhipicephalus) were inspected for infection with B. burgdorferi. The pooled prevalence was 11.1% (95% CI = 8.3–14.2%). Among the nine countries, China had the most studies (56) and Malaysia had the highest infection rate (46.2%). Most infected ticks were from the genera Ixodes and Haemaphysalis. Ticks of the genus Ixodes had the highest infection rate (16.9%). Obvious heterogeneity was noted in our meta-analysis. We analyzed the heterogeneity with regard to countries, genera, time points, and detection methods. This study suggests that Ixodes, Haemaphysalis and Dermacentor may be the most common tike of B. burgdorferi-positive in Asia. The highest proportion of ticks infected by B. burgdorferi were from the genus Ixodes. This meta-analysis is the first attempt to explain the B. burgdorferi infection of hard-body ticks in Asia. The infection rate for each country and infection rate of different tick genera were analyzed: there were large differences between them. The literature is concentrates mainly on East Asia, and data are limited. Our study can provide a reference for a more comprehensive and in-depth investigation of ticks in Asia infected by B. burgdorferi spirochetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhua Ji
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; (Z.J.); (M.J.); (P.Y.); (W.C.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.Y.); (J.C.); (M.L.); (Y.F.); (X.S.); (S.W.); (J.K.); (B.L.); (Y.D.); (G.Z.)
- Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Yunnan Cancer Hospital), Kunming 650100, China
| | - Miaomiao Jian
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; (Z.J.); (M.J.); (P.Y.); (W.C.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.Y.); (J.C.); (M.L.); (Y.F.); (X.S.); (S.W.); (J.K.); (B.L.); (Y.D.); (G.Z.)
| | - Peng Yue
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; (Z.J.); (M.J.); (P.Y.); (W.C.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.Y.); (J.C.); (M.L.); (Y.F.); (X.S.); (S.W.); (J.K.); (B.L.); (Y.D.); (G.Z.)
| | - Wenjing Cao
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; (Z.J.); (M.J.); (P.Y.); (W.C.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.Y.); (J.C.); (M.L.); (Y.F.); (X.S.); (S.W.); (J.K.); (B.L.); (Y.D.); (G.Z.)
| | - Xin Xu
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; (Z.J.); (M.J.); (P.Y.); (W.C.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.Y.); (J.C.); (M.L.); (Y.F.); (X.S.); (S.W.); (J.K.); (B.L.); (Y.D.); (G.Z.)
| | - Yu Zhang
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; (Z.J.); (M.J.); (P.Y.); (W.C.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.Y.); (J.C.); (M.L.); (Y.F.); (X.S.); (S.W.); (J.K.); (B.L.); (Y.D.); (G.Z.)
| | - Yingyi Pan
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; (Z.J.); (M.J.); (P.Y.); (W.C.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.Y.); (J.C.); (M.L.); (Y.F.); (X.S.); (S.W.); (J.K.); (B.L.); (Y.D.); (G.Z.)
| | - Jiaru Yang
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; (Z.J.); (M.J.); (P.Y.); (W.C.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.Y.); (J.C.); (M.L.); (Y.F.); (X.S.); (S.W.); (J.K.); (B.L.); (Y.D.); (G.Z.)
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory of Children’s Major Diseases Research, The Affiliated Children Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650030, China
| | - Jingjing Chen
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; (Z.J.); (M.J.); (P.Y.); (W.C.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.Y.); (J.C.); (M.L.); (Y.F.); (X.S.); (S.W.); (J.K.); (B.L.); (Y.D.); (G.Z.)
| | - Meixiao Liu
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; (Z.J.); (M.J.); (P.Y.); (W.C.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.Y.); (J.C.); (M.L.); (Y.F.); (X.S.); (S.W.); (J.K.); (B.L.); (Y.D.); (G.Z.)
| | - Yuxin Fan
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; (Z.J.); (M.J.); (P.Y.); (W.C.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.Y.); (J.C.); (M.L.); (Y.F.); (X.S.); (S.W.); (J.K.); (B.L.); (Y.D.); (G.Z.)
| | - Xuan Su
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; (Z.J.); (M.J.); (P.Y.); (W.C.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.Y.); (J.C.); (M.L.); (Y.F.); (X.S.); (S.W.); (J.K.); (B.L.); (Y.D.); (G.Z.)
| | - Shiyuan Wen
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; (Z.J.); (M.J.); (P.Y.); (W.C.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.Y.); (J.C.); (M.L.); (Y.F.); (X.S.); (S.W.); (J.K.); (B.L.); (Y.D.); (G.Z.)
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory of Children’s Major Diseases Research, The Affiliated Children Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650030, China
| | - Jing Kong
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; (Z.J.); (M.J.); (P.Y.); (W.C.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.Y.); (J.C.); (M.L.); (Y.F.); (X.S.); (S.W.); (J.K.); (B.L.); (Y.D.); (G.Z.)
| | - Bingxue Li
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; (Z.J.); (M.J.); (P.Y.); (W.C.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.Y.); (J.C.); (M.L.); (Y.F.); (X.S.); (S.W.); (J.K.); (B.L.); (Y.D.); (G.Z.)
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory of Children’s Major Diseases Research, The Affiliated Children Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650030, China
| | - Yan Dong
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; (Z.J.); (M.J.); (P.Y.); (W.C.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.Y.); (J.C.); (M.L.); (Y.F.); (X.S.); (S.W.); (J.K.); (B.L.); (Y.D.); (G.Z.)
| | - Guozhong Zhou
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; (Z.J.); (M.J.); (P.Y.); (W.C.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.Y.); (J.C.); (M.L.); (Y.F.); (X.S.); (S.W.); (J.K.); (B.L.); (Y.D.); (G.Z.)
| | - Aihua Liu
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; (Z.J.); (M.J.); (P.Y.); (W.C.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.Y.); (J.C.); (M.L.); (Y.F.); (X.S.); (S.W.); (J.K.); (B.L.); (Y.D.); (G.Z.)
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory of Children’s Major Diseases Research, The Affiliated Children Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650030, China
- Correspondence: (A.L.); (F.B.)
| | - Fukai Bao
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; (Z.J.); (M.J.); (P.Y.); (W.C.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.Y.); (J.C.); (M.L.); (Y.F.); (X.S.); (S.W.); (J.K.); (B.L.); (Y.D.); (G.Z.)
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory of Children’s Major Diseases Research, The Affiliated Children Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650030, China
- Correspondence: (A.L.); (F.B.)
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Li F, Gao Z, Wang K, Zhao Y, Wang H, Zhao M, Zhao Y, Bai L, Yu Z, Yang X. A novel defensin-like peptide contributing to antimicrobial and antioxidant capacity of the tick Dermacentor silvarum (Acari: Ixodidae). EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2021; 83:271-283. [PMID: 33452939 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00584-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Defensins are the most diverse groups of antimicrobial peptides in invertebrate animals. In ticks, defensins show great potential as targets for tick control, and display future prospect for therapeutic drug development. In the present study, a novel defensin-like gene (Ds-defensin) contributing to the antimicrobial and antioxidant capacity of the tick Dermacentor silvarum was characterized. The full-length of the Ds-defensin gene was 382 bp, which displayed tissue-specific expression and was highly abundant in the salivary glands and carcasses of the adults. It encodes a 71-amino acid defensin-like protein, and the protein precursor is characterized by a 22-amino acid signal peptide and a 34-amino acid mature peptide. The peptide displayed potent activity against most of the tested gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, S. carnosus and Nocardia asteroides, and one tested gram-negative bacterium, Psychrobacter faecalis. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the cell wall and surface of treated bacteria became rough and gradually formed pores after a 30-min exposure to the Ds-defensin peptide. Additionally, the peptide also showed significant antioxidant capacity. The above results implied that the defensin-like peptide may play an important role in tick defense and the interaction with microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengjiao Li
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Zhihua Gao
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Kuang Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Yinan Zhao
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Meichen Zhao
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Yawen Zhao
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Lingqian Bai
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Zhijun Yu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
| | - Xiaolong Yang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
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Yuan C, Wu J, Peng Y, Li Y, Shen S, Deng F, Hu Z, Zhou J, Wang M, Zou Z. Transcriptome analysis of the innate immune system of Hyalomma asiaticum. J Invertebr Pathol 2020; 177:107481. [PMID: 33035534 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2020.107481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are considered to be the second most important vectors of human infectious diseases. The innate immune system is the key factor that affects its vector competence. Hyalomma asiaticum is the primary vector of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). However, the immune system of H. asiaticum remains virtually unknown. Here, a high throughput full-length mRNA sequencing method was adopted to define the immunotranscriptome of H. asiaticum infected with the fungal pathogen Beauveria bassiana and gram-negative bacterium Enterobacter cloacae. The analysis yielded 22,300 isoforms with an average length of 3233 bps. In total, 68 potential immunity-related genes were identified based on similarity to the homologs known to be involved in immunity. These included most members of the Toll and JAK/STAT signaling pathways, but not the IMD signaling pathway. Moreover, two copies of Dicer-2 and five copies of Argonaute-2 were detected. These genes are postulated to be involved in the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway, which is an important defense against RNA viruses. Overall, this study provides the foundation for understanding the immune response of H. asiaticum to CCHFV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanfei Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jia Wu
- Wuhan National Biosafety Laboratory, Mega-Science Center for Bio-Safety Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yun Peng
- Wuhan National Biosafety Laboratory, Mega-Science Center for Bio-Safety Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yufeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Shu Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Fei Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Zhihong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Jinlin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China.
| | - Manli Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, School of Tropical Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China.
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Salivary gland proteome analysis of developing adult female Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks: molecular motor and TCA cycle-related proteins play an important role throughout development. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:613. [PMID: 31888749 PMCID: PMC6937756 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3864-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks are notorious blood-feeding arthropods that can spread a variety of deadly diseases. The salivary gland is an important organ for ticks to feed on blood, and this organ begins to develop rapidly when ixodid ticks suck blood. When these ticks reach a critical weight, the salivary glands stop developing and begin to degenerate. The expression levels of a large number of proteins during the development and degeneration of salivary glands change, which regulate the biological functions of the salivary glands. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, there are only a few reports on the role of molecular motor and TCA cycle-related proteins in the salivary glands of ticks. Results We used iTRAQ quantitative proteomics to study the dynamic changes in salivary gland proteins in female Haemaphysalis longicornis at four feeding stages: unfed, partially fed, semi-engorged and engorged. Using bioinformatics methods to analyze the dynamic changes of a large number of proteins, we found that molecular motor and TCA cycle-related proteins play an important role in the physiological changes of the salivary glands. The results of RNAi experiments showed that when dynein, kinesin, isocitrate dehydrogenase and citrate synthase were knocked down independently, the weight of the engorged female ticks decreased by 63.5%, 54.9%, 42.6% and 48.6%, respectively, and oviposition amounts decreased by 83.1%, 76.0%, 50.8%, and 55.9%, respectively, and the size of type III acini of females salivary glands decreased by 35.6%, 33.3%, 28.9%, and 20.0%, respectively. Conclusions The results showed that the expression of different types of proteins change in different characteristics in salivary glands during the unfed to engorged process of female ticks. Corresponding expression changes of these proteins at different developmental stages of female ticks are very important to ensure the orderly development of the organ. By analyzing these changes, some proteins, such as molecular motor and TCA cycle-related proteins, were screened and RNAi carried out. When these mRNAs were knocked down, the female ticks cannot develop normally. The research results provide a new protein target for the control of ticks and tick-borne diseases.
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Eisen L. Vector competence studies with hard ticks and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato spirochetes: A review. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 11:101359. [PMID: 32067949 PMCID: PMC7127979 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Use of emerging technology allowing for identification of genetic material from pathogens and endosymbionts in ticks collected from humans, domestic animals, wildlife, or the environment has resulted in an avalanche of new data on tick-microorganism associations. This rapidly growing stream of new information is a tremendous resource but also presents challenges, including how detection of pathogen genetic material in ticks should best be interpreted. There is a tendency in the more recent published literature to incorrectly use the term “vector” based on detection of pathogen genetic material from tick species not experimentally confirmed to serve as vectors of the pathogen in question. To serve as a vector of a horizontally maintained pathogen, such as a Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) Lyme borreliosis spirochete, the tick species in question must be capable of acquiring the pathogen while feeding in the larval or nymphal stage on an infectious host, maintaining it transstadially through the molt, and then transmitting the pathogen to a naïve host while feeding in the subsequent nymphal or adult stage. This review examines the experimental evidence for and against species of hard (ixodid) ticks from different genera to serve as vectors of B. burgdorferi s.l. spirochetes. Of the 18 Ixodes species ticks evaluated to date, 13 were experimentally confirmed as vectors of B. burgdorferi s.l. spirochetes. These studies focused primarily on the three major Lyme borreliosis agents: Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia afzelii, and Borrelia garinii. In striking contrast, none of 8 tick species from other genera (1 Amblyomma species, 5 Dermacentor species, and 2 Haemaphysalis species) evaluated to date were unequivocally experimentally confirmed as vectors of B. burgdorferi s.l. spirochetes. The strength of the evidence for or against each tick species to serve as a vector of B. burgdorferi s.l. spirochetes is discussed together with key knowledge gaps and research challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Eisen
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, United States.
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Breuner NE, Ford SL, Hojgaard A, Osikowicz LM, Parise CM, Rosales Rizzo MF, Bai Y, Levin ML, Eisen RJ, Eisen L. Failure of the Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, to serve as an experimental vector of the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 11:101311. [PMID: 31640938 PMCID: PMC7054938 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The invasive, human-biting Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, was detected in New Jersey in the eastern United States in August of 2017 and by November of 2018 this tick had been recorded from 45 counties across 9 states, primarily along the Eastern Seaboard. The establishment of H. longicornis in the United States has raised the questions of how commonly it will bite humans and which native pathogens may naturally infect this tick. There also is a need for experimental vector competence studies with native pathogens to determine if H. longicornis can acquire a given pathogen while feeding, pass it transstadially, and then transmit the pathogen in the next life stage. In this experimental study, we evaluated the vector competence of a population of H. longicornis originating from the United States (New York) for a native isolate (B31) of the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.). In agreement with a previous experimental study on the vector competence of H. longicornis for Borrelia garinii, we found that uninfected H. longicornis larvae could acquire B. burgdorferi s.s. while feeding on infected Mus musculus mice (infection prevalence >50% in freshly fed larvae) but that the infection was lost during the molt to the nymphal stage. None of 520 tested molted nymphs were found to be infected, indicating that transstadial passage of B. burgdorferi s.s. is absent or rare in H. longicornis; and based on the potential error associated with the number of nymphs testing negative in this study, we estimate that the upper 95% limit for infection prevalence was 0.73%. An Ixodes scapularis process control showed both effective acquisition of B. burgdorferi s.s. from infected mice by uninfected larvae and transstadial passage to the nymphal stage (infection prevalence of 80-82% for both freshly fed larvae and molted nymphs). We also observed that although H. longicornis larvae could be compelled to feed on mice by placing the ticks within feeding capsules, attachment and feeding success was minimal (<0.5%) when larvae were placed freely on the fur of the mice. We conclude that H. longicornis is unlikely to contribute more than minimally, if at all, to transmission of Lyme disease spirochetes in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole E Breuner
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, United States
| | - Shelby L Ford
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS G-13, Atlanta, GA 30329-4018, United States
| | - Andrias Hojgaard
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, United States
| | - Lynn M Osikowicz
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, United States
| | - Christina M Parise
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, United States
| | - Maria F Rosales Rizzo
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, United States
| | - Ying Bai
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, United States
| | - Michael L Levin
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS G-13, Atlanta, GA 30329-4018, United States
| | - Rebecca J Eisen
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, United States
| | - Lars Eisen
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, United States.
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Cabezas-Cruz A, Tonk M, Bleackley MR, Valdés JJ, Barrero RA, Hernández-Jarguín A, Moutailler S, Vilcinskas A, Richard-Forget F, Anderson MA, Rodriguez-Valle M. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of defensins from the Australian paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:101269. [PMID: 31445875 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tick innate immunity involves humoral and cellular responses. Among the humoral effector molecules in ticks are the defensins which are a family of small peptides with a conserved γ-core motif that is crucial for their antimicrobial activity. Defensin families have been identified in several hard and soft tick species. However, little is known about the presence and antimicrobial activity of defensins from the Australian paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus. In this study the I. holocyclus transcriptome was searched for the presence of defensins. Unique and non-redundant defensin sequences were identified and designated as holosins 1 - 5. The antimicrobial activity of holosins 2 and 3 and of the predicted γ-cores of holosins 1-4 (HoloTickCores 1-4), was assessed using Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as the fungus Fusarium graminearum and the yeast Candida albicans. All holosins had molecular features that are conserved in other tick defensins. Furthermore holosins 2 and 3 were very active against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria grayi. Holosins 2 and 3 were also active against F. graminearum and C. albicans and 5 μM of peptide abrogate the growth of these microorganisms. The activity of the synthetic γ-cores was lower than that of the mature defensins apart from HoloTickCore 2 which had activity comparable to mature holosin 2 against the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli. This study reveals the presence of a multigene defensin family in I. holocyclus with wide antimicrobial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- UMR BIPAR, INRA, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, 94700, France.
| | - Miray Tonk
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany; LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Mark R Bleackley
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - James J Valdés
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Roberto A Barrero
- Centre for Comparative Genomics, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
| | | | - Sara Moutailler
- UMR BIPAR, INRA, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, 94700, France
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany; LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Bioresources, Winchester Strasse 2, 35394, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Marilyn A Anderson
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Manuel Rodriguez-Valle
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
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Yada Y, Talactac MR, Kusakisako K, Hernandez EP, Galay RL, Andoh M, Fujisaki K, Tanaka T. Hemolymph defensin from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis attacks Gram-positive bacteria. J Invertebr Pathol 2018; 156:14-18. [PMID: 30003919 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2018.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are key vectors of some important diseases of humans and animals. Although they are carriers of disease agents, the viability and development of ticks are not harmed by the infectious agents due to their innate immunity. Antimicrobial peptides directly protect hosts against pathogenic agents such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Among the identified and characterized antimicrobial peptides, defensins have been considerably well studied. Defensins are commonly found among fungi, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates. The sequence of the tick hemolymph defensin (HEdefensin) gene from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis was analyzed after identification and cloning from a cDNA library. HEdefensin has a predicted molecular mass of 8.15 kDa including signal peptides and a theoretical isoelectric point of 9.48. Six cysteine residues were also identified in the amino acids. The synthetic HEdefensin peptide only showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria such as Micrococcus luteus. A fluorescence propidium iodide exclusion assay also showed that HEdefensin increased the membrane permeability of M. luteus. Additionally, an indirect fluorescent antibody test showed that HEdefensin binds to M. luteus. These results suggested that HEdefensin strongly affects the innate immunity of ticks against Gram-positive bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurika Yada
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Melbourne Rio Talactac
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan; Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan; Department of Clinical and Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Cavite State University, Cavite 4122, Philippines
| | - Kodai Kusakisako
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan; Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Emmanuel Pacia Hernandez
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan; Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Remil Linggatong Galay
- Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines
| | - Masako Andoh
- Laboratory of Public Health, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Kozo Fujisaki
- National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 3-1-5 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan; Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan.
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