Response of Leucine-Rich Repeat Domain-Containing Protein in Haemaphysalis longicornis to Babesia microti Infection and Its Ligand Identification [Fungal and Parasitic Infections]

In this study, one of the ligands for LRR from H. longicornis (HlLRR) was identified in Babesia microti, designated BmActin, using glutathione transferase (GST) pulldown experiments and immunofluorescence assays. Moreover, RNA interference of HlLRR led to a decrease in the BmActin mRNA expression in the midgut of fully engorged ticks which fed on B. microti-infected mice. We also found that the expression level of the innate immune molecules in H. longicornis, defensin, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and lysozyme, were downregulated after the knockdown of HlLRR. However, subolesin expression was upregulated. These results indicate that HlLRR not only recognizes BmActin but may also modulate innate immunity in ticks to influence Babesia growth, which will further benefit the development of anti-Babesia vaccines or drugs.

Source: Infection and Immunity - April 16, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Yao, J., Xu, Z., Sun, Z., Zhou, K., Lu, J., Mi, R., Huang, Y., Han, X., Ren, K., Chen, Z., Gong, H. Tags: Fungal and Parasitic Infections Source Type: research