Abstract
Immunodeficiency disorders and autoimmune diseases are common, but a lack of effective targeted drugs and the side-effects of existing drugs have stimulated interest in finding therapeutic alternatives. Naturally derived substances are a recognized source of novel drugs, and tick saliva is increasingly recognized as a rich source of bioactive molecules with specific functions. Ticks use their saliva to overcome the innate and adaptive host immune systems. Their saliva is a rich cocktail of molecules including proteins, peptides, lipid derivatives, and recently discovered non-coding RNAs that inhibit or modulate vertebrate immune reactions. A number of tick saliva and/or salivary gland molecules have been characterized and shown to be promising candidates for drug development for vertebrate immune diseases. However, further validation of these molecules at the molecular, cellular, and organism levels is now required to progress lead candidates to clinical testing. In this paper, we review the data on the immuno-pharmacological aspects of tick salivary compounds characterized in vitro and/or in vivo and present recent findings on non-coding RNAs that might be exploitable as immunomodulatory therapies.
Highlights
The vertebrate immune system is a sophisticated and highly developed network of cells, tissues, and organs that together identify and neutralize foreign and endogenous threats
DsCystatin from Dermacentor silvarum salivary glands was shown to impair the expression of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, interferon gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-6 from mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) [94], and the authors proposed that DsCystatin might be useful for the treatment of inflammatory diseases since it suppressed joint inflammation induced by complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) and Borrelia burgdorferi in a mouse arthritis model [95]
We summarized potential drug candidates from tick salivary glands that might have therapeutic use in immune disorders and other related diseases
Summary
Hajer Aounallah1,2†, Chaima Bensaoud3†, Youmna M’ghirbi, Fernanda Faria, Jindrich Chmelar 4 and Michail Kotsyfakis3,4*. Derived substances are a recognized source of novel drugs, and tick saliva is increasingly recognized as a rich source of bioactive molecules with specific functions. Ticks use their saliva to overcome the innate and adaptive host immune systems. Their saliva is a rich cocktail of molecules including proteins, peptides, lipid derivatives, and recently discovered non-coding RNAs that inhibit or modulate vertebrate immune reactions. We review the data on the immunopharmacological aspects of tick salivary compounds characterized in vitro and/or in vivo and present recent findings on non-coding RNAs that might be exploitable as immunomodulatory therapies
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