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Whole Antigenic Lysates of Ixodes ricinus , but not Der‐p2 Allergen‐Like Protein , are Potent Inducers of Basophil Activation in Previously Tick‐Exposed Human Hosts
Author(s) -
Oltean B. M.,
Ernst M.,
Renneker S.,
Bakheit M. A.,
Seitzer U.,
Ahmed J.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
transboundary and emerging diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.392
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1865-1682
pISSN - 1865-1674
DOI - 10.1111/tbed.12151
Subject(s) - ixodes ricinus , tick , basophil activation , ricinus , ixodes scapularis , basophil , immunology , biology , allergen , antigen , immunoglobulin e , sensitization , virology , epitope , allergy , antibody , ixodidae , biochemistry
Summary The clinical suspicion of tick anaphylaxis is based on a history of the bite and occurs often during the warm season. Further arguments are the presence of natural hosts in the immediate environment and, eventually, the identification of the tick. The diagnosis is confirmed when immediate‐type sensitization is shown by positive skin prick tests performed with specific tick extracts or the demonstration of specific I g E in vitro . In the current study, we hypothesize that hard tick‐derived material contains potent inducers being able to promote basophil stimulation, which correlates with a sensitization immunological response following tick bites. To this end, biological material from two hard tick cell lines ( IRE 11 and IDE 8 – derived from I xodes ricinus and I . scapularis, respectively) as well as I . ricinus salivary gland and body lysates were used in a human basophil activation test ( BAT ) to analyse binding and cross‐linking capacity of membrane‐bound I g E , because basophils are one of the main effector cells of allergic reactions. Additionally, D er‐p2 allergen‐like gene from I . ricinus was recombinantly expressed as a 15‐kDa histidine‐tagged fusion protein, purified and included as a stimulus within the setup. Blood was drawn and submitted to BAT screening from a pool of 36 individuals, both bitten and who served solely as negative controls. We have found that seven subjects (19%), all of whom were at least two times tick‐bitten, positively reacted to the aforementioned stimuli, whereas the reactivity level of the ones bearing single bites proved to be within the normal range. Moreover, no significant upregulation of the assessed basophil activation marker was detected in the case of D er‐p2, except a faint reaction at high dosages. We conclude that at least two tick bites of the human host must occur in order to induce significant basophil activation.