Characterization of the local and systemic immune response of immunized cattle with a multi-antigenic anti-R. microplus vaccine for the determination of immunological markers of tick protection

• Grant number: 20/04990-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: January 01, 2021
• End date: September 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Beatriz Rossetti Ferreira
• Grantee: Natalia Serra Mendes
• Host Institution: Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto (EERP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/09683-9 - Development of a recombinant multicomponent chimeric vaccine based in protein epitopes from Rhipicephalus microplus ticks, AP.TEM

Abstract

Rhipicephalus microplus ticks are considered one of the most harmful cattle parasites, responsible for significant losses in the livestock sector, especially in tropical and subtropical countries. Problems related to the use of chemical acaricides point to the need for sustainable alternatives for the control of bovine ticks. Our research group performed experimental immunizations with a combination of nine recombinant antigens derived from the saliva of R. microplus, which demonstrated potential vaccine in cattle, since it generated a protective response of 78% effectiveness. Complementary studies may indicate which cell populations and immune system mediators are being modulated by immunization and by which mechanisms this modulation occurs. Thus, this project proposes, for the first time, to clarify the cutaneous and systemic immunological mechanisms involved in the protective immunity conferred by an anti-R. microplus vaccine formulation applied in bovines. To this end, we will perform a histopathological characterization of the skin by means of histological and immunohistochemical assays, quantification of antibodies and cytokines in the blood, evaluation of the transcriptional profile of immunological cells in the blood and skin of immunized and tick infested cattle, from flow cytometry (FACS) followed by sequencing of RNA (FACS-RNAseq) and analysis in the context of systems vaccinology. The results may assist in elucidating the mechanisms of vaccine protection, enabling the identification of immunological correlates of protection that can endorse the rational design of more efficient and safer tick vaccines. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

MENDES, Natalia Serra. Production and evaluation of multiantigenic tick vaccine formulations against Rhipicephalus microplus. 2024. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC) Ribeirão Preto.