title: Tick modulation of the in-vitro expression of adhesion molecules by skin-derived endothelial cells.
abstract: As a tick feeds, its saliva induces innate and acquired immune responses in the host, including leucocyte infiltration into the bite site. Tick salivary glands produce molecules, however, that counteract many host defences against blood feeding. The effects of salivary-gland extracts (SGE) of Dermacentor andersoni and Ixodes scapularis on the expression of various adhesion molecules [E-selectin, P-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1)] by the sEND.1 cell line (which is based on cells from the subcutaneous tissue of mice) have now been investigated in vitro. The effects were found to differ with the tick species. The SGE of D. andersoni significantly down-regulated the expression of ICAM-1, whereas a similar extract prepared from I. scapularis significantly reduced the expression of P-selectin and VCAM-1. Tick salivary proteins therefore appear to have direct effects on adhesion-molecule expression, in addition to their previously established roles in down-regulating the pro-inflammatory cytokines that activate endothelial cells. It remains unclear exactly how the reduction of adhesion-molecule expression in the host's endothelial cells benefits the feeding tick but it may alter leucocyte migration to the bite site and/or reduce antigen presentation by the endothelial cells. It may also modulate the interactions between the host's leucocytes and any tick-borne pathogens, during initial infection of the endothelium.
authors.affiliation: Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, MC-3710, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Maxwell
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Stoklasek
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dash
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Macaluso
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Wikel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis*; D002460:Cell Line; D003870:Dermacentor / Q000276:immunology; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000032:analysis; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis; D018884:Ixodes / Q000276:immunology; D026863:Ixodidae / Q000276:immunology*; D019007:P-Selectin / Q000032:analysis; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000276:immunology; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000276:immunology; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D019040:E-Selectin; D019007:P-Selectin; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1