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Ge R, Zhang L, Yang Y, Chen K, Li C. Arpc2 integrates ecdysone and juvenile hormone metabolism to influence metamorphosis and reproduction in Tribolium castaneum. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38477435 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Actin-related protein 2/3 complex regulates actin polymerization and the formation of branched actin networks. However, the function and evolutionary relationship of this complex subunit 2 (Arpc2) has been poorly understood in insects. RESULTS To address these issues, we performed comprehensive analysis of Arpc2 in Tribolium castaneum. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Arpc2 was originated from one ancestral gene in animals but evolved independently between vertebrates and insects after species differentiation. T. castaneum Arpc2 has a 906-bp coding sequence and consists of 4 exons. Arpc2 transcripts were abundantly detected in embryos and pupae but less so in larvae and adults, while it had high expression in the gut, fat body and head but low expression in the epidermis of late-stage larvae. Knockdown of it at the late larval stage inhibited the pupation and resulted in arrested larvae. Silencing it in 1-day pupae impaired eclosion, which caused adult wings to fail to close. Injection of Arpc2 dsRNAs into 5-day pupae made adults have smaller testis and ovary and could not lay eggs. The expression of vitellogenin 1 (Vg1), Vg2 and Vg receptor (VgR) was downregulated after knocking down Arpc2 5 days post-adult emergence. Arpc2 silencing reduced 20-hydroxyecdysone titer by affecting the enzymes of its biosynthesis and catabolism but increased juvenile biosynthesis via upregulating JHAMT3 expression. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that Arpc2 is associated with the metamorphosis and reproduction by integrating ecdysone and juvenile hormone metabolism in T. castaneum. This study provides theoretical basis for developing Arpc2 as a potential RNA interference target for pest control. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runting Ge
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yanhua Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Keping Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Chengjun Li
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
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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
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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
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3
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Karim S, Kumar D, Budachetri K. Recent advances in understanding tick and rickettsiae interactions. Parasite Immunol 2021; 43:e12830. [PMID: 33713348 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are haematophagous arthropods with unique molecular mechanisms for digesting host blood meal while acting as vectors for various pathogens of public health significance. The tick's pharmacologically active saliva plays a fundamental role in modulating the host's immune system for several days to weeks, depending on the tick species. The vector tick has also developed sophisticated molecular mechanisms to serve as a competent vector for pathogens, including the spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae. Evidence is still inadequate concerning tick-rickettsiae-host interactions and saliva-assisted transmission of the pathogen to the mammalian host. Rickettsia parkeri, of the SFG rickettsia, can cause a milder version of Rocky Mountain spotted fever known as American Boutonneuse fever. The Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum) often transmits this pathogenic rickettsia in the USA. This review discusses the knowledge gap concerning tick-rickettsiae-host interactions by highlighting the SFG rickettsia and the Am maculatum model system. Filling this knowledge gap will provide a better understanding of the tick-rickettsiae-host interactions in disease causation, which will be crucial for developing effective methods for preventing tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahid Karim
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, School of Biological. Environmental, and Earth Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Deepak Kumar
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, School of Biological. Environmental, and Earth Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
| | - Khemraj Budachetri
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, School of Biological. Environmental, and Earth Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA.,The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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Jones AM, Van de Wyngaerde MT, Machtinger ET, Rajotte EG, Baker TC. Choice of Laboratory Tissue Homogenizers Matters When Recovering Nucleic Acid From Medically Important Ticks. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 57:1221-1227. [PMID: 31971588 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Ticks can vector and transmit many pathogens and pose a serious human health threat throughout the world. After collection, many diagnostic laboratories must mechanically disrupt tick specimens for diagnostic testing and research purposes, but few studies have evaluated how well-commercial tissue homogenizers perform this task. We evaluated four commercially available tissue homogenizers: The Bead Ruptor 24 Elite, the Bullet Blender Storm, the gentleMACS Dissociator, and the Precellys 24. We quantitatively compared maceration level, nucleic acid quality, quantity, amplification, and DNA shearing to determine which machines performed the best. The Bead Ruptor 24 Elite had the highest overall score when disrupting a single, uninfected adult Amblyomma americanum (Linnaeus) (Ixodida: Ixodidae) and performed well in follow-on tests including disrupting individual juvenile samples and detecting pathogens from infected samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M Jones
- Vector Diagnostics Department, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
| | | | - Erika T Machtinger
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
| | - Edwin G Rajotte
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
| | - Thomas C Baker
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
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Recinella L, Chiavaroli A, Ronci M, Menghini L, Brunetti L, Leone S, Tirillini B, Angelini P, Covino S, Venanzoni R, Zengin G, Simone SD, Ciferri MC, Giacomo VD, Cataldi A, Rapino M, Valerio VD, Orlando G, Ferrante C. Multidirectional Pharma-Toxicological Study on Harpagophytum procumbens DC. ex Meisn.: An IBD-Focused Investigation. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:E168. [PMID: 32085616 PMCID: PMC7070412 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9020168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we investigated the water extract of Harpagophytum procumbens DC. ex Meisn. in an experimental model of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Additionally, a microbiological investigation was carried out to discriminate the efficacy against bacterial and fungal strains involved in IBDs. Finally, an untargeted proteomic analysis was conducted on more than one hundred colon proteins involved in tissue morphology and metabolism. The extract was effective in blunting the production of oxidative stress and inflammation, including serotonin, prostaglandins, cytokines, and transcription factors. Additionally, the extract inhibited the growth of Candida albicans and C. tropicalis. The extract was also able to exert a pro-homeostatic effect on the levels of a wide plethora of colon proteins, thus corroborating a protective effect. Conversely, the supraphysiological downregulation of cytoskeletal-related proteins involved in tissue morphology and antimicrobial barrier function suggests a warning in the use of food supplements containing H. procumbens extracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Recinella
- Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (L.R.); (A.C.); (L.M.); (L.B.); (S.L.); (S.D.S.); (M.C.C.); (V.d.G.); (A.C.); (C.F.)
| | - Annalisa Chiavaroli
- Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (L.R.); (A.C.); (L.M.); (L.B.); (S.L.); (S.D.S.); (M.C.C.); (V.d.G.); (A.C.); (C.F.)
| | - Maurizio Ronci
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Luigi Menghini
- Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (L.R.); (A.C.); (L.M.); (L.B.); (S.L.); (S.D.S.); (M.C.C.); (V.d.G.); (A.C.); (C.F.)
| | - Luigi Brunetti
- Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (L.R.); (A.C.); (L.M.); (L.B.); (S.L.); (S.D.S.); (M.C.C.); (V.d.G.); (A.C.); (C.F.)
| | - Sheila Leone
- Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (L.R.); (A.C.); (L.M.); (L.B.); (S.L.); (S.D.S.); (M.C.C.); (V.d.G.); (A.C.); (C.F.)
| | - Bruno Tirillini
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, 61029 Urbino, Italy;
| | - Paola Angelini
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy; (P.A.); (S.C.); (R.V.)
| | - Stefano Covino
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy; (P.A.); (S.C.); (R.V.)
| | - Roberto Venanzoni
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy; (P.A.); (S.C.); (R.V.)
| | - Gokhan Zengin
- Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Selcuk University, Campus, 42103 Konya, Turkey
| | - Simonetta Di Simone
- Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (L.R.); (A.C.); (L.M.); (L.B.); (S.L.); (S.D.S.); (M.C.C.); (V.d.G.); (A.C.); (C.F.)
| | - Maria Chiara Ciferri
- Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (L.R.); (A.C.); (L.M.); (L.B.); (S.L.); (S.D.S.); (M.C.C.); (V.d.G.); (A.C.); (C.F.)
| | - Viviana di Giacomo
- Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (L.R.); (A.C.); (L.M.); (L.B.); (S.L.); (S.D.S.); (M.C.C.); (V.d.G.); (A.C.); (C.F.)
| | - Amelia Cataldi
- Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (L.R.); (A.C.); (L.M.); (L.B.); (S.L.); (S.D.S.); (M.C.C.); (V.d.G.); (A.C.); (C.F.)
| | - Monica Rapino
- Genetic Molecular Institute of CNR, Unit of Chieti, “G. d’ Annunzio” University, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti-Pescara, Italy;
| | - Valentina Di Valerio
- Department of Medicine and Ageing Sciences, “G. d’ Annunzio” University, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti-Pescara, Italy;
| | - Giustino Orlando
- Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (L.R.); (A.C.); (L.M.); (L.B.); (S.L.); (S.D.S.); (M.C.C.); (V.d.G.); (A.C.); (C.F.)
| | - Claudio Ferrante
- Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (L.R.); (A.C.); (L.M.); (L.B.); (S.L.); (S.D.S.); (M.C.C.); (V.d.G.); (A.C.); (C.F.)
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Rego ROM, Trentelman JJA, Anguita J, Nijhof AM, Sprong H, Klempa B, Hajdusek O, Tomás-Cortázar J, Azagi T, Strnad M, Knorr S, Sima R, Jalovecka M, Fumačová Havlíková S, Ličková M, Sláviková M, Kopacek P, Grubhoffer L, Hovius JW. Counterattacking the tick bite: towards a rational design of anti-tick vaccines targeting pathogen transmission. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:229. [PMID: 31088506 PMCID: PMC6518728 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3468-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hematophagous arthropods are responsible for the transmission of a variety of pathogens that cause disease in humans and animals. Ticks of the Ixodes ricinus complex are vectors for some of the most frequently occurring human tick-borne diseases, particularly Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). The search for vaccines against these diseases is ongoing. Efforts during the last few decades have primarily focused on understanding the biology of the transmitted viruses, bacteria and protozoans, with the goal of identifying targets for intervention. Successful vaccines have been developed against TBEV and Lyme borreliosis, although the latter is no longer available for humans. More recently, the focus of intervention has shifted back to where it was initially being studied which is the vector. State of the art technologies are being used for the identification of potential vaccine candidates for anti-tick vaccines that could be used either in humans or animals. The study of the interrelationship between ticks and the pathogens they transmit, including mechanisms of acquisition, persistence and transmission have come to the fore, as this knowledge may lead to the identification of critical elements of the pathogens' life-cycle that could be targeted by vaccines. Here, we review the status of our current knowledge on the triangular relationships between ticks, the pathogens they carry and the mammalian hosts, as well as methods that are being used to identify anti-tick vaccine candidates that can prevent the transmission of tick-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan O. M. Rego
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jos J. A. Trentelman
- Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Juan Anguita
- CIC bioGUNE, 48160 Derio, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48012 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Ard M. Nijhof
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Boris Klempa
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ondrej Hajdusek
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | | | - Tal Azagi
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Martin Strnad
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Sarah Knorr
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Radek Sima
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Jalovecka
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Sabína Fumačová Havlíková
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Martina Ličková
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Monika Sláviková
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Petr Kopacek
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Libor Grubhoffer
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Joppe W. Hovius
- Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Role of Sca2 and RickA in the Dissemination of Rickettsia parkeri in Amblyomma maculatum. Infect Immun 2018; 86:IAI.00123-18. [PMID: 29581194 PMCID: PMC5964526 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00123-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium Rickettsia parkeri is an emerging tick-borne human pathogen. Recently, R. parkeri Sca2 and RickA have been implicated in adherence and actin-based motility in vertebrate host cell infection models; however, the rickettsia-derived factors essential to tick infection are unknown. Using R. parkeri mutants lacking functional Sca2 or RickA to compare actin polymerization, replication, and cell-to-cell spread in vitro, similar phenotypes in tick and mammalian cells were observed. Specifically, actin polymerization in cultured tick cells is controlled by the two separate proteins in a time-dependent manner. To assess the role of Sca2 and RickA in dissemination in the tick host, Rickettsia-free Amblyomma maculatum, the natural vector of R. parkeri, was exposed to wild-type, R. parkeri rickA::tn, or R. parkeri sca2::tn bacteria, and individual tick tissues, including salivary glands, midguts, ovaries, and hemolymph, were analyzed at 12 h and after continued bloodmeal acquisition for 3 or 7 days postexposure. Initially, ticks exposed to wild-type R. parkeri had the highest rickettsial load across all organs; however, rickettsial loads decreased and wild-type rickettsiae were cleared from the ovaries at 7 days postexposure. In contrast, ticks exposed to R. parkeririckA::tn or R. parkerisca2::tn had comparatively lower rickettsial loads, but bacteria persisted in all organs for 7 days. These data suggest that while RickA and Sca2 function in actin polymerization in tick cells, the absence of these proteins did not change dissemination patterns within the tick vector.
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8
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Sonenshine DE, Macaluso KR. Microbial Invasion vs. Tick Immune Regulation. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:390. [PMID: 28929088 PMCID: PMC5591838 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks transmit a greater variety of pathogenic agents that cause disease in humans and animals than any other haematophagous arthropod, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, babesiosis, tick-borne encephalitis, Crimean Congo haemorhagic fever, and many others (Gulia-Nuss et al., 2016). Although diverse explanations have been proposed to explain their remarkable vectorial capacity, among the most important are their blood feeding habit, their long term off-host survival, the diverse array of bioactive molecules that disrupt the host's natural hemostatic mechanisms, facilitate blood flow, pain inhibitors, and minimize inflammation to prevent immune rejection (Hajdušek et al., 2013). Moreover, the tick's unique intracellular digestive processes allow the midgut to provide a relatively permissive microenvironment for survival of invading microbes. Although tick-host-pathogen interactions have evolved over more than 300 million years (Barker and Murrell, 2008), few microbes have been able to overcome the tick's innate immune system, comprising both humoral and cellular processes that reject them. Similar to most eukaryotes, the signaling pathways that regulate the innate immune response, i.e., the Toll, IMD (Immunodeficiency) and JAK-STAT (Janus Kinase/ Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription) also occur in ticks (Gulia-Nuss et al., 2016). Recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) on the microbial surface triggers one or the other of these pathways. Consequently, ticks are able to mount an impressive array of humoral and cellular responses to microbial challenge, including anti-microbial peptides (AMPs), e.g., defensins, lysozymes, microplusins, etc., that directly kill, entrap or inhibit the invaders. Equally important are cellular processes, primarily phagocytosis, that capture, ingest, or encapsulate invading microbes, regulated by a primordial system of thioester-containing proteins, fibrinogen-related lectins and convertase factors (Hajdušek et al., 2013). Ticks also express reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, heat shock proteins and even protease inhibitors that kill or inhibit microbes. Nevertheless, many tick-borne microorganisms are able to evade the tick's innate immune system and survive within the tick's body. The examples that follow describe some of the many different strategies that have evolved to enable ticks to transmit the agents of human and/or animal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Sonenshine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, VA, United States
| | - Kevin R Macaluso
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Louisiana State UniversityBaton Rouge, LA, United States
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Zhu J, Fu Q, Ao Q, Tan Y, Luo Y, Jiang H, Li C, Gan X. Transcriptomic profiling analysis of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) following Streptococcus agalactiae challenge. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 62:202-212. [PMID: 28111359 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2017.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Innate immune system is the primary defense mechanism against pathogen infection in teleost, which are living in pathogen-rich aquatic environment. It has been long hypothesized that the disease resistance in teleost are strongly correlated to the activities of innate immune genes. Tilapia is an important economical fish around the world, especially in China, where the production accounts for nearly half of the global production. Recently, S. agalactiae has become one of the most serious bacterial diseases in southern China, resulted in high cumulative mortality and economic loss to tilapia industry. Therefore, we sought here to characterize the expression profiles of tilapia against S. agalactiae infection at whole transcriptome level by RNA-seq technology. A total of 2822 genes were revealed significantly expressed in tilapia spleen with a general trend of induction. Notably, most of the genes were rapidly the most induced at the early timepoint. The significantly changed genes highlighted the function of pathogen attachment and recognition, antioxidant/apoptosis, cytoskeletal rearrangement, and immune activation. Collectively, the induced expression patterns suggested the strong ability of tilapia to rapidly recognize the invasive bacteria, and activation of downstream immune signaling pathways to clear the bacteria and prevent the tissue damage and bacteria triggered cell apoptosis. Our results heighted important roles of novel candidate genes which were often missed in previous tilapia studies. Further studies are needed to characterize the molecular relationships between key immune genes and disease resistance, and to identify the candidate genes for molecular-assistant selection of disease-resistant broodstock and evaluation of disease prevention and treatment measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajie Zhu
- Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangxi Key Lab of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China; Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Qiang Fu
- Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Qiuwei Ao
- Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangxi Key Lab of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | - Yun Tan
- Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangxi Key Lab of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | - Yongju Luo
- Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangxi Key Lab of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | | | - Chao Li
- Marine Science and Engineering College, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
| | - Xi Gan
- Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangxi Key Lab of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China.
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10
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Pelc RS, McClure JC, Kaur SJ, Sears KT, Rahman MS, Ceraul SM. Disrupting protein expression with Peptide Nucleic Acids reduces infection by obligate intracellular Rickettsia. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0119283. [PMID: 25781160 PMCID: PMC4363562 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs) are single-stranded synthetic nucleic acids with a pseudopeptide backbone in lieu of the phosphodiester linked sugar and phosphate found in traditional oligos. PNA designed complementary to the bacterial Shine-Dalgarno or start codon regions of mRNA disrupts translation resulting in the transient reduction in protein expression. This study examines the use of PNA technology to interrupt protein expression in obligate intracellular Rickettsia sp. Their historically intractable genetic system limits characterization of protein function. We designed PNA targeting mRNA for rOmpB from Rickettsia typhi and rickA from Rickettsia montanensis, ubiquitous factors important for infection. Using an in vitro translation system and competitive binding assays, we determined that our PNAs bind target regions. Electroporation of R. typhi and R. montanensis with PNA specific to rOmpB and rickA, respectively, reduced the bacteria’s ability to infect host cells. These studies open the possibility of using PNA to suppress protein synthesis in obligate intracellular bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca S Pelc
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jennifer C McClure
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Simran J Kaur
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Khandra T Sears
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - M Sayeedur Rahman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Shane M Ceraul
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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11
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Identification of host proteins involved in rickettsial invasion of tick cells. Infect Immun 2014; 83:1048-55. [PMID: 25547795 DOI: 10.1128/iai.02888-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia species are obligate intracellular bacteria capable of infecting both vertebrate and invertebrate host cells, an essential process for subsequent bacterial survival in distinct hosts. The host cell signaling molecules involved in the uptake of Rickettsia into mammalian and Drosophila cells have been identified; however, invasion into tick cells is understudied. Considering the movement of SFG Rickettsia between vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, the hypothesis is that conserved mechanisms are utilized for host cell invasion. The current study employed biochemical inhibition assays to determine the tick proteins involved in Rickettsia montanensis infection of tick-derived cells from a natural host, Dermacentor variabilis. The results revealed several tick proteins important for rickettsial invasion, including actin filaments, actin-related protein 2/3 complex, phosphatidylinositol-3'-kinase, protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs), Src family PTK, focal adhesion kinase, Rho GTPase Rac1, and neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein. Delineating the molecular mechanisms of rickettsial infection is critical to a thorough understanding of rickettsial transmission in tick populations and the ecology of tick-borne rickettsial diseases.
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