Tick saliva increases production of three chemokines including monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, a histamine-releasing cytokine

Parasite Immunol. 2015 Feb;37(2):92-6. doi: 10.1111/pim.12168.

Abstract

The effect of Ixodes ricinus tick saliva on the production of various cytokines and chemokines by mouse splenocytes was tested by a cytokine array. We demonstrated a strong upregulation of three chemokines, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), thymus-derived chemotactic agent 3 (TCA-3) and macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2). MCP-1 could be induced by tick saliva itself. While TCA-3 and MIP-2 are engaged in Th2 polarization of the host immune response associated with tick feeding, MCP-1 may act as a histamine release factor, increasing blood flow into the feeding lesion thus facilitating tick engorgement in the late, rapid feeding phase.

Keywords: Ixodes ricinus; MCP-1; Th2 response; chemokine; histamine; tick saliva.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chemokine CCL1 / immunology*
  • Chemokine CCL2 / immunology*
  • Chemokine CXCL2 / immunology*
  • Female
  • Histamine Release
  • Ixodes / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Saliva / immunology
  • Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
  • Th2 Cells / immunology

Substances

  • Chemokine CCL1
  • Chemokine CCL2
  • Chemokine CXCL2