Anti‐tumour necrosis factor‐α activity in Ixodes ricinus saliva
P Konik, V Slavikova, J Salat, J Řezníčková… - Parasite …, 2006 - Wiley Online Library
P Konik, V Slavikova, J Salat, J Řezníčková, E Dvorožňáková, J Kopecký
Parasite immunology, 2006•Wiley Online LibraryTumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) is one of the most prominent inflammatory mediators
playing a central role in starting off the inflammatory reactions of the innate immune system.
We identified a TNF‐α‐inhibitory activity in the saliva and salivary gland extract (SGE) from
partially fed Ixodes ricinus ticks. Using mouse and human TNF‐α specific ELISA, we showed
that tick saliva or SGE markedly reduced the level of detectable cytokine. Both saliva and
SGE inhibited the cytotoxic effect of TNF‐α in a bioassay. Elimination of the TNF‐α‐inhibitory …
playing a central role in starting off the inflammatory reactions of the innate immune system.
We identified a TNF‐α‐inhibitory activity in the saliva and salivary gland extract (SGE) from
partially fed Ixodes ricinus ticks. Using mouse and human TNF‐α specific ELISA, we showed
that tick saliva or SGE markedly reduced the level of detectable cytokine. Both saliva and
SGE inhibited the cytotoxic effect of TNF‐α in a bioassay. Elimination of the TNF‐α‐inhibitory …
Summary
Tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) is one of the most prominent inflammatory mediators playing a central role in starting off the inflammatory reactions of the innate immune system. We identified a TNF‐α‐inhibitory activity in the saliva and salivary gland extract (SGE) from partially fed Ixodes ricinus ticks. Using mouse and human TNF‐α specific ELISA, we showed that tick saliva or SGE markedly reduced the level of detectable cytokine. Both saliva and SGE inhibited the cytotoxic effect of TNF‐α in a bioassay. Elimination of the TNF‐α‐inhibitory activity in SGE by trypsin digestion demonstrated that the anti‐TNF‐α factor is a protein. Fast protein liquid chromatography fractionation of SGE showed one peak of TNF‐α‐inhibitory activity corresponding to a protein with estimated molecular mass 23 kDa. The likely mechanism of the inhibitory effect is a direct binding of the cytokine. The TNF‐α‐inhibitory molecule seems to play an important role in the anti‐inflammatory effect of tick saliva at the tick feeding site, providing a gateway to the host for tick‐borne pathogens.
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