Ixodes scapularis saliva mitigates inflammatory cytokine secretion during Anaplasma phagocytophilum stimulation of immune cells.
BACKGROUND
Ixodes scapularis saliva enables the transmission of infectious agents to the mammalian host due to its immunomodulatory, anesthetic and anti-coagulant properties. However, how I. scapularis saliva influences host cytokine secretion in the presence of the obligate intracellular rickettsial pathogen Anaplasma phagocytophilum remains elusive.


METHODS
Bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs) were stimulated with pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and A. phagocytophilum. Cytokine secretion was measured in the presence and absence of I. scapularis saliva. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were also stimulated with Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α in the presence and absence of I. scapularis saliva and interleukin (IL)-8 was measured.


RESULTS
I. scapularis saliva inhibits inflammatory cytokine secretion by macrophages during stimulation of Toll-like (TLR) and Nod-like receptor (NLR) signaling pathways. The effect of I. scapularis saliva on immune cells is not restricted to murine macrophages because decreasing levels of interleukin (IL)-8 were observed after TNF-α stimulation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. I. scapularis saliva also mitigates pro-inflammatory cytokine response by murine macrophages during challenge with A. phagocytophilum.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that I. scapularis may inhibit inflammatory cytokine secretion during rickettsial transmission at the vector-host interface.
Center for Disease Vector Research and Department of Entomology, University of California-Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
Gang
G
Chen
Maiara S
MS
Severo
Mohammad
M
Sohail
Olivia S
OS
Sakhon
Stephen K
SK
Wikel
Michail
M
Kotsyfakis
Joao H F
JH
Pedra
D000328:Adult; D041081:Anaplasma phagocytophilum / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D018884:Ixodes / Q000276:immunology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines; D007155:Immunologic Factors