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Feeding by the tick, Ixodes scapularis , causes CD4 + T cells responding to cognate antigen to develop the capacity to express IL‐4
Author(s) -
MÜLLERDOBLIES U. U.,
MAXWELL S. S.,
BOPPANA V. D.,
MIHALYO M. A.,
MCSORLEY S. J.,
VELLA A. T.,
ADLER A. J.,
WIKEL S. K.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
parasite immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1365-3024
pISSN - 0141-9838
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2007.00966.x
Subject(s) - ixodes scapularis , biology , antigen , tick , immunology , virology , population , t cell , immune system , ixodidae , medicine , environmental health
SUMMARY 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‐γ 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.