Salp15, an ixodes scapularis salivary protein, inhibits CD4(+) T cell activation

Immunity. 2002 Jun;16(6):849-59. doi: 10.1016/s1074-7613(02)00325-4.

Abstract

Tick saliva has pleiotropic properties that facilitate persistence of the arthropod upon the host. We now describe a feeding-inducible protein in Ixodes scapularis saliva, Salp15, that inhibits CD4(+) T cell activation. The mechanism involves the repression of calcium fluxes triggered by TCR ligation and results in lower production of interleukin-2. Salp15 also inhibits the development of CD4(+) T cell-mediated immune responses in vivo, demonstrating the functional importance of this protein. Salp15 provides a molecular basis for understanding the immunosuppressive activity of I. scapularis saliva and vector-host interactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • Calcium Signaling / drug effects*
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Drosophila
  • Female
  • Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis
  • Ixodes*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Rabbits
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / drug effects
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis
  • Salivary Proteins and Peptides / isolation & purification
  • Salivary Proteins and Peptides / physiology*

Substances

  • Interleukin-2
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2
  • Salivary Proteins and Peptides
  • Salp15 protein, Ixodes scapularis