title: Tick modulation of host immunity: an important factor in pathogen transmission.
abstract: Immunological interactions at the tick host interface involve innate and specific acquired host immune defenses and immunomodulatory countermeasures by the tick. Tick feeding stimulates host immune response pathways involving antigen-presenting cells, cytokines, B-cells, T-cells, circulating and homocytotropic antibodies, granulocytes, and an array of biologically active molecules. In response to host immune defenses, tick-mediated host immunosuppressive countermeasures inhibit: host antibody responses; complement activation; T-cell proliferation; and cytokine elaboration by macrophages and Th1-lymphocytes. Immunosuppressive proteins identified in tick salivary glands and saliva have been partially characterised. Tick-induced host immunosuppression facilitates blood meal acquisition and is an important factor in the transmission/establishment of the tick-borne disease-causing agent, Borrelia burgdorferi. A novel strategy for control of tick-borne pathogens is proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74078, USA. skw8965@okstate.edu
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Wikel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007110:Immunity, Active; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000276:immunology*; D017282:Tick-Borne Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D013987:Ticks / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines