Tick salivary gland extract may act as an adjuvant to induce alpha-gal syndrome in alpha-gal deficient mice

Abstract

Bites from the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (Aa), are associated with the development of alpha-gal specific IgE (sIgE) in humans and alpha-gal deficient (AGKO) mice. We have recently reported the presence of alpha-gal in the saliva of Aa and Ixodes scapularis (Is) but not in not in Amblyomma maculatum (Am). Since Am ticks do not contain endogenous alpha-gal, we used this species to test whether feeding Am ticks an alpha-gal-containing blood meal could sensitize AGKO mice and produce alpha-gal syndrome (AGS).