Tick saliva reduces adherence and area of human neutrophils.
During natural infection with the agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, spirochetes are delivered with vector saliva, which contains anti-inflammatory and antihemostatic activities. We show here that the saliva of ixodid ticks reduces polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) adhesion via downregulation of beta2-integrins and decreases the efficiency of PMN in the uptake and killing of spirochetes. Inhibition of integrin adhesion and signaling reduces anti-inflammatory functions of PMN. These effects may favor the initial survival of spirochetes in vivo.
Montgomery
Ruth R
RR
Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA. ruth.montgomery@yale.edu
Lusitani
Denise
D
De Boisfleury Chevance
Anne
A
Malawista
Stephen E
SE
D000818:Animals; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000276:immunology; D025065:Borrelia burgdorferi / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D048429:Cell Size; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D018884:Ixodes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*