Abstract
Ticks secrete several anti-hemostatic factors in their saliva to suppress the host innate and acquired immune defenses against infestations. Using Ixodes scapularis ticks and age-matched mice purchased from two independent commercial vendors with two different immune backgrounds as a model, we show that ticks fed on immunodeficient animals demonstrate decreased fibrinogenolytic activity in comparison to ticks fed on immunocompetent animals. Reduced levels of D-dimer (fibrin degradation product) were evident in ticks fed on immunodeficient animals in comparison to ticks fed on immunocompetent animals. Increased engorgement weights were noted for ticks fed on immunodeficient animals in comparison to ticks fed on immunocompetent animals. Furthermore, the LC-MS/MS and quantitative real-time-PCR analysis followed by inhibitor and antibody-blocking assays revealed that the arthropod HSP70-like molecule contributes to differential fibrinogenolysis during tick feeding. Collectively, these results not only indicate that ticks elicit variable fibrinogenolysis upon feeding on hosts with different immune backgrounds but also provide insights for the novel role of arthropod HSP70-like molecule in fibrinogenolysis during blood feeding.
Highlights
Previously, we used these ticks as a model to address this important question
To acquire a blood meal, ticks mechanically attach to their vertebrate host, insert their mouthparts in to the host skin, secrete saliva to encounter host defense mechanisms and cement themselves to the attachment site, engulf blood and fall off upon completion of blood feeding[4,5,7,12,13,32]
We report a novel role for the participation of tick HSP70-like molecule in fibrinogenolysis during blood feeding
Summary
Previously, we used these ticks as a model to address this important question. Studies have reported significant variations in many basic hematological and coagulation parameters among many mouse strains[26,27]. A recent study has shown that T-cells participate in coupling coagulation with inflammation[28]. These studies provide strong rationale for the current study to test whether variable genetic or immune backgrounds of murine host influences tick feeding and gene expression. The findings presented in this study report that the host’s genetic background and/ or immune status does influence specific tick gene expression that subsequently impact variable fibrinogenolysis during feeding
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