Feeding by the tick, Ixodes scapularis, causes CD4(+) T cells responding to cognate antigen to develop the capacity to express IL-4.

Abstract

Effects of tick feeding on an early antigen-specific T cell response were studied by monitoring a clonotypic population of adoptively transferred T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic CD4 cells responding to a tick-associated antigen. When recipient mice were infested with pathogen-free Ixodes scapularis nymphs several days prior to T cell transfer and intradermal injection of soluble cognate antigen at the feeding site, the clonotypic CD4 cells gained the ability to express the Th2 effector cytokine IL-4. Notably, this effect was not only observed in BALB/c mice predisposed towards developing Th2 responses but also in B10.D2 mice predisposed towards Th1 responsiveness. Furthermore, tick feeding was able to superimpose IL-4 expression potential onto a strong Th1 response (indicated by robust IFN-gamma expression potential) elicited by immunization with a vaccinia virus expressing the cognate antigen. The magnitude to which tick feeding was able to programme IL-4 expression potential in CD4 cells was partially reduced in mice that had been previously exposed to pathogen-free tick nymphs 6 weeks earlier, as well as when the nymphs were infected with Borrelia burgdorferi. Intradermal injection of salivary gland extract programmed IL-4 expression potential similar to that of tick infestation, suggesting that IL-4 programming activity is contained within tick saliva.

• Authors: U U Müller-Doblies, S S Maxwell, V D Boppana, M A Mihalyo, S J McSorley, A T Vella, A J Adler, S K Wikel
• Journal: Parasite immunology (Parasite Immunol) Vol. 29 Issue 10 Pg. 485-99 (Oct 2007) ISSN: 0141-9838 [Print] England
• PMID: 17883452 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Salivary Proteins and Peptides
• Tlr2 protein, mouse
• Toll-Like Receptor 2
• Interleukin-4

Topics

• Animals
• Borrelia burgdorferi (immunology, physiology)
• CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes (immunology, metabolism, microbiology)
• Interleukin-4 (immunology, metabolism)
• Ixodes (immunology, microbiology)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Nymph (immunology, microbiology)
• Salivary Proteins and Peptides (immunology, metabolism)
• Th1 Cells (immunology, metabolism)
• Th2 Cells (immunology, metabolism)
• Tick Infestations (immunology)
• Toll-Like Receptor 2 (metabolism)
• Vaccinia virus (immunology)