Immunohistochemical examination of PDGF-AB, TGF-beta and their receptors in the hemocytes of a tick, Ornithodoros moubata (Acari: Argasidae).
Growth factors, Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) and Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-beta, were demonstrated in vertebrate and invertebrate immmunocytes. It is generally known that the growth factors are important in various biological processes, such as the regulation of cell differentiation, development and wound healing. In the present study, the presence of TGF-beta1 and PDGF-receptor-alpha in plasmatocytes and PDGF-AB in granulocytes of a soft tick, Ornithodoros moubata, was confirmed immunohistochemically. The tick midgut might be damaged by intracellular digestion and penetration of protozoa. Therefore, it is considered that PDGF from granulocytes may affect the PDGF-receptor-alpha in plasmatocytes and TGF-beta from plasmatocytes may function to repair the midgut. The results obtained here add to the elucidation of the functions of tick hemocytes.
Matsuo
Tomohide
T
Division of Tropical Diseases and Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Japan.
Cerruto Noya
Claudia A
CA
Taylor
DeMar
D
Fujisaki
Kozo
K
D000818:Animals; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D026861:Ornithodoros / Q000737:chemistry*; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis*; D020796:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha / Q000032:analysis*; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000032:analysis*
D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; C095477:platelet-derived growth factor AB; D020796:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha