Ticks elicit variable fibrinogenolytic activities upon feeding on hosts with different immune backgrounds

Sci Rep. 2017 Mar 16:7:44593. doi: 10.1038/srep44593.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Feeding Behavior* / drug effects
  • Fibrinogen / metabolism*
  • Fibrinolysis* / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / genetics
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Host-Parasite Interactions / immunology*
  • Immunocompetence / drug effects
  • Ixodes / drug effects
  • Ixodes / physiology*
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases / metabolism
  • Mice, SCID
  • Purine Nucleosides / pharmacology
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Salivary Glands / drug effects
  • Salivary Glands / metabolism
  • Tissue Extracts / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation / genetics

Substances

  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Purine Nucleosides
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Tissue Extracts
  • VER 155008
  • Fibrinogen
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases