Abstract
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.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 485-499 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | Parasite Immunology |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2007 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Borrelia burgdorferi
- IL-4
- Ixodes scapularis
- Th2 polarization
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Parasitology
- Immunology