Open AccessTick Saliva Reduces Adherence and Area of Human Neutrophils
Author(s) -
Ruth R. Montgomery,
Denise Lusitani,
Anne de Boisfleury Chevance,
Stephen E. Malawista
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
infection and immunity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.508
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1070-6313
pISSN - 0019-9567
DOI - 10.1128/iai.72.5.2989-2994.2004
Subject(s) - borrelia burgdorferi , saliva , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , lyme disease , in vivo , immunology , downregulation and upregulation , integrin , adhesion , tick , virology , antibody , receptor , chemistry , biochemistry , organic chemistry , gene
During natural infection with the agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, spirochetes are delivered with vector saliva, which contains anti-inflammatory and antihemostatic activities. We show here that the saliva of ixodid ticks reduces polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) adhesion via downregulation of beta2-integrins and decreases the efficiency of PMN in the uptake and killing of spirochetes. Inhibition of integrin adhesion and signaling reduces anti-inflammatory functions of PMN. These effects may favor the initial survival of spirochetes in vivo.