Abstract
Fire ants are widely studied, invasive and venomous arthropod pests. There is significant biomedical interest in immunotherapy against fire ant stings. However, mainly due to practical reasons, the physiological effects of envenomation has remained poorly characterized. The present study takes advantage of a recently-described venom protein extract to delineate the immunological pathways underlying the allergic reaction to fire ant venom toxins. Mice were injected with controlled doses of venom protein extract. Following sensitization and a second exposure, a marked footpad swelling was observed. Based on eosinophil recruitment and production of Th2 cytokines, we hereby establish that fire ant proteins per se can lead to an allergic response, which casts a new light into the mechanism of action of these toxins.
Highlights
The Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) Solenopsis invicta Buren (Insecta: Formicidae) is one of the most dangerous invasive pests on a global scale[1,2]
Three signals are required during the antigen presentation in order to induce proper T cell activation: the first is provided by the recognition of the complex major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII)/peptide by the T cell receptor (TCR) present in a naive T lymphocyte
To test the premise that venom proteins are the causative factors of allergic reactions to fire ant stings, we sensitized mice via venom proteins into the hind footpad
Summary
The Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) Solenopsis invicta Buren (Insecta: Formicidae) is one of the most dangerous invasive pests on a global scale[1,2] These aggressive ants have been inadvertently shipped from South America to many territories around the world over the last century, and are causing severe problems in regions as far apart as Vietnam, China, Australia, the United States, and the Galapagos archipelago[1,3]. Three signals are required during the antigen presentation in order to induce proper T cell activation: the first is provided by the recognition of the complex MHCII/peptide by the T cell receptor (TCR) present in a naive T lymphocyte. These signals can activate a naive T cell that will differentiate into distinct T helper subsets[17,18]
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