Mining a differential sialotranscriptome of Rhipicephalus microplus guides antigen discovery to formulate a vaccine that reduces tick infestations

Author(s):Show less -

Maruyama, Sandra R. ; Garcia, Gustavo R. ; Teixeira, Felipe R. ; Brandao, Lucinda G. ; Anderson, Jennifer M. ; Ribeiro, Jose M. C. ; Valenzuela, Jesus G. ; Horackova, Jana ; Verissimo, Ceclia J. ; Katiki, Luciana M. ; Banin, Tamy M. ; Zangirolamo, Amanda F. ; Gardinassi, Luiz G. ; Ferreira, Beatriz R. ; de Miranda-Santos, Isabel K. F.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PARASITES & VECTORS; v. 10, APR 26 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 8

Abstract

Background: Ticks cause massive damage to livestock and vaccines are one sustainable substitute for the acaricides currently heavily used to control infestations. To guide antigen discovery for a vaccine that targets the gamut of parasitic strategies mediated by tick saliva and enables immunological memory, we exploited a transcriptome constructed from salivary glands from all stages of Rhipicephalus microplus ticks feeding on genetically tick-resistant and susceptible bovines. Results: Different levels of host anti-tick immunity affected gene expression in tick salivary glands; we thus selected four proteins encoded by genes weakly expressed in ticks attempting to feed on resistant hosts or otherwise abundantly expressed in ticks fed on susceptible hosts; these sialoproteins mediate four functions of parasitism deployed by male ticks and that do not induce antibodies in naturally infected, susceptible bovines. We then evaluated in tick-susceptible heifers an alum-adjuvanted vaccine formulated with recombinant proteins. Parasite performance (i.e. weight and numbers of females finishing their parasitic cycle) and titres of antigen-specific antibodies were significantly reduced or increased, respectively, in vaccinated versus control heifers, conferring an efficacy of 73.2%; two of the antigens were strong immunogens, rich in predicted T-cell epitopes and challenge infestations boosted antibody responses against them. Conclusion: Mining sialotranscriptomes guided by the immunity of tick-resistant hosts selected important targets and infestations boosted immune memory against salivary antigens. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/16464-8 - Application of protein microarray to identify substrates of SCF1 (FBXO25) E3 ubiquitin ligase
• Grantee: Felipe Roberti Teixeira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 12/15464-0 - RNA-Seq of bovine leukocytes from peripheral blood: a functional analysis of the transcriptome in cattle immunized with recombinant antigens from the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, and in infested cattle
• Grantee: Sandra Regina Costa Maruyama
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 12/04087-0 - RNA-seq of bovine leukocytes from peripheral blood: a functional analysis of the transcriptome in cattle immunized with recombinant antigens from the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, and in infested cattle
• Grantee: Sandra Regina Costa Maruyama
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral