Carlo José Freire Oliveira

A tick salivary protein targets cathepsin G and chymase and inhibits host inflammation and platelet aggregation.

Platelet aggregation and acute inflammation are key processes in vertebrate defense to a skin injury. Recent studies uncovered the mediation of 2 serine proteases, cathepsin G and chymase, in both mechanisms. Working with a mouse model of acute inflammation, we revealed that an exogenous salivary protein of Ixodes ricinus, the vector of Lyme disease pathogens in Europe, extensively inhibits edema formation and influx of neutrophils in the inflamed tissue. We named this tick salivary gland secreted effector as I ricinus serpin-2 (IRS-2), and we show that it primarily inhibits cathepsin G and chymase, while in higher molar excess, it affects thrombin activity as well. The inhibitory specificity was explained using the crystal structure, determined at a resolution of 1.8 Å. Moreover, we disclosed the ability of IRS-2 to inhibit cathepsin G-induced and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. For the first time, an ectoparasite protein is shown to exhibit such pharmacological effects and target specificity. The stringent specificity and biological activities of IRS-2 combined with the knowledge of its structure can be the basis for the development of future pharmaceutical applications.

Deconstructing Tick Saliva: NON-PROTEIN MOLECULES WITH POTENT IMMUNOMODULATORY PROPERTIES*

Dendritic cells (DCs) are powerful initiators of innate and adaptive immune responses. Ticks are blood-sucking ectoparasite arthropods that suppress host immunity by secreting immunomodulatory molecules in their saliva. Here, compounds present in Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick saliva with immunomodulatory effects on DC differentiation, cytokine production, and costimulatory molecule expression were identified. R. sanguineus tick saliva inhibited IL-12p40 and TNF-α while potentiating IL-10 cytokine production by bone marrow-derived DCs stimulated by Toll-like receptor-2, -4, and -9 agonists. To identify the molecules responsible for these effects, we fractionated the saliva through microcon filtration and reversed-phase HPLC and tested each fraction for DC maturation. Fractions with proven effects were analyzed by micro-HPLC tandem mass spectrometry or competition ELISA. Thus, we identified for the first time in tick saliva the purine nucleoside adenosine (concentration of ∼110 pmol/μl) as a potent anti-inflammatory salivary inhibitor of DC cytokine production. We also found prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ∼100 nm) with comparable effects in modulating cytokine production by DCs. Both Ado and PGE2 inhibited cytokine production by inducing cAMP-PKA signaling in DCs. Additionally, both Ado and PGE2 were able to inhibit expression of CD40 in mature DCs. Finally, flow cytometry analysis revealed that PGE2, but not Ado, is the differentiation inhibitor of bone marrow-derived DCs. The presence of non-protein molecules adenosine and PGE2 in tick saliva indicates an important evolutionary mechanism used by ticks to subvert host immune cells and allow them to successfully complete their blood meal and life cycle.

Tick saliva induces regulatory dendritic cells: MAP-kinases and Toll-like receptor-2 expression as potential targets.

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are bloodsucking ectoparasitic arthropods of human and veterinary medical importance. Tick saliva has been shown to contain a wide range of bioactive molecules with vasodilatory, antihemostatic, and immunomodulatory activities. We have previously demonstrated that saliva from Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks inhibits the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) stimulated with LPS. Here we examined the mechanism of this immune subversion, evaluating the effect of tick saliva on Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 signalling pathway in bone marrow-derived DCs. We demonstrated that R. sanguineus tick saliva impairs maturation of DCs stimulated with LPS, a TLR-4 ligand, leading to increased production of interleukin (IL)-10 and reduced synthesis of IL-12p70 and TNF-alpha. The immunomodulatory effect of the tick saliva on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by DCs stimulated with LPS was associated with the observation that tick saliva inhibits the activation of the ERK 1/2 and p38 MAP kinases. These effects were independent of the expression of TLR-4 on the surface of DCs. Additionally, saliva-treated DCs also presented a similar pattern of cytokine modulation in response to other TLR ligands. Since the recent literature reports that several parasites evade immune responses through TLR-2-mediated production of IL-10, we evaluated the effect of tick saliva on the percentage of TLR-2(+) DCs stimulated with the TLR-2 ligand lipoteicoic acid (LTA). The data showed that the population of DCs expressing TLR-2 was significantly increased in DCs treated with LTA plus saliva. In addition, tick saliva alone increased the expression of TLR-2 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Our data suggest that tick saliva induces regulatory DCs, which secrete IL-10 and low levels of IL-12 and TNF-alpha when stimulated by TLR ligands. Such regulatory DCs are associated with expression of TLR-2 and inhibition of ERK and p38, which promotes the production of IL-10 and thus down-modulates the hosts immune response, possibly favouring susceptibility to tick infestations.

Recognition by toll-like receptor 2 induces antigen-presenting cell activation and Th1 programming during infection by Neospora caninum

Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan parasite responsible for major economic losses due to abortions in cattle. Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) sense specific microbial products and direct downstream signaling pathways in immune cells, linking innate, and adaptive immunity. Here, we analyze the role of TLR2 on innate and adaptive immune responses during N. caninum infection. Inflammatory peritoneal macrophages and bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells exposed to N. caninum‐soluble antigens presented an upregulated expression of TLR2. Increased receptor expression was correlated to TLR2/MyD88‐dependent antigen‐presenting cell maturation and pro‐inflammatory cytokine production after stimulation by antigens. Impaired innate responses observed after infection of mice genetically deficient for TLR2(−/−) was followed by downregulation of adaptive T helper 1 (Th1) immunity, represented by diminished parasite‐specific CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell proliferation, IFN‐γ:interleukin (IL)‐10 ratio, and IgG subclass synthesis. In parallel, TLR2−/− mice presented higher parasite burden than wild‐type (WT) mice at acute and chronic stages of infection. These results show that initial recognition of N. caninum by TLR2 participates in the generation of effector immune responses against N. caninum and imply that the receptor may be a target for future prophylactic strategies against neosporosis.

Proteome of Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick saliva induced by the secretagogues pilocarpine and dopamine

One dimensional gel electrophoresis was used to separate proteins from the saliva of Rhipicephalus sanguineus female ticks fed on rabbits. Gel slices were subjected to tryptic digestion and analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC followed by MS/MS analysis. The data were compared to a database of salivary proteins of the same tick and to the predicted proteins of the host. Saliva was obtained by either pilocarpine or dopamine stimulation of partially fed ticks. Electrophoretic separations of both yielded products that were identified by mass spectrometry, although the pilocarpine-derived sample was of much better quality. The majority of identified proteins were of rabbit origin, indicating the recycling of the host proteins in the tick saliva, including hemoglobin, albumin, haptoglobin, transferring, and a plasma serpin. The few proteins found that were previously associated with parasitism and blood feeding include 2 glycine-rich, cement-like proteins, 2 lipocalins, and a thyropin protease inhibitor. Among other of the 19 tick proteins identified, albeit with undefined roles, were SPARC and cyclophilin A. This catalog provides a resource that can be mined for secreted molecules that play a role in tick-host interactions.

Defibrotide Interferes With Several Steps of the Coagulation-Inflammation Cycle and Exhibits Therapeutic Potential to Treat Severe Malaria

Objective—The coagulation-inflammation cycle has been implicated as a critical component in malaria pathogenesis. Defibrotide (DF), a mixture of DNA aptamers, displays anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, and endothelial cell (EC)-protective activities and has been successfully used to treat comatose children with veno-occlusive disease. DF was investigated here as a drug to treat cerebral malaria. Methods and Results—DF blocks tissue factor expression by ECs incubated with parasitized red blood cells and attenuates prothrombinase activity, platelet aggregation, and complement activation. In contrast, it does not affect nitric oxide bioavailability. We also demonstrated that Plasmodium falciparum glycosylphosphatidylinositol (Pf-GPI) induces tissue factor expression in ECs and cytokine production by dendritic cells. Notably, dendritic cells, known to modulate coagulation and inflammation systemically, were identified as a novel target for DF. Accordingly, DF inhibits Toll-like receptor ligand-dependent dendritic cells activation by a mechanism that is blocked by adenosine receptor antagonist (8-p-sulfophenyltheophylline) but not reproduced by synthetic poly-A, -C, -T, and -G. These results imply that aptameric sequences and adenosine receptor mediate dendritic cells responses to the drug. DF also prevents rosetting formation, red blood cells invasion by P. falciparum and abolishes oocysts development in Anopheles gambiae. In a murine model of cerebral malaria, DF affected parasitemia, decreased IFN-&ggr; levels, and ameliorated clinical score (day 5) with a trend for increased survival. Conclusion—Therapeutic use of DF in malaria is proposed.

Modulation of cutaneous inflammation induced by ticks in contrasting phenotypes of infestation in bovines

Tick saliva contains molecules that are inoculated at the site of attachment on their hosts in order to modulate local immune responses and facilitate a successful blood meal. Bovines express heritable, contrasting phenotypes of infestations with the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus: breeds of Bos taurus indicus are significantly more resistant than those of Bos taurus taurus. Tick saliva may contain molecules that interfere with adhesion of leukocytes to endothelium and resistant hosts may mount an inflammatory profile that is more efficient to hamper the ticks blood meal. We show in vitro that adhesion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to monolayers of cytokine-activated bovine umbilical endothelial cells was significantly inhibited by tick saliva. The inflammatory response to bites of adults of R. microplus mounted by genetically resistant and susceptible bovine hosts managed in the same pasture was investigated in vivo. The inflammatory infiltrates and levels of message coding for adhesion molecules were measured in biopsies of tick-bitten and control skin taken when animals of both breeds were exposed to low and high tick infestations. Histological studies reveal that cutaneous reactions of resistant hosts to bites of adult ticks contained significantly more basophils and eosinophils compared with reactions of the susceptible breed. Expression of the adhesion molecules - intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and P-selectin - was higher in adult-infested skin of susceptible hosts undergoing low infestations compared to resistant hosts; when host was exposed to high infestations expression of these adhesion molecules was down-regulated in both phenotypes of infestations. Expression of leukocyte adhesion glycoprotein-1 (LFA-1) was higher in skin from susceptible hosts undergoing low or high infestations compared to resistant hosts. Conversely, higher levels of E-selectin, which promotes adhesion of memory T cells, were expressed in skin of resistant animals. This finding may explain the resistant hosts ability to mount more rapid and efficient secondary responses that limit hematophagy and infestations. The expression profiles observed for adhesion molecules indicate that there are differences in the kinetics of the inflammatory reactions mounted by resistant and susceptible hosts and the balance between tick and host is affected by the number of tick bites a host receives. We show that the contrasting phenotypes of infestations seen in bovines infested with R. microplus are correlated with differences in the cellular and molecular composition of inflammatory infiltrates elicited by bites with adult ticks.

Nucleosides from Phlebotomus papatasi Salivary Gland Ameliorate Murine Collagen-Induced Arthritis by Impairing Dendritic Cell Functions

Among several pharmacological compounds, Phlebotomine saliva contains substances with anti-inflammatory properties. In this article, we demonstrated the therapeutic activity of salivary gland extract (SGE) of Phlebotomus papatasi in an experimental model of arthritis (collagen-induced arthritis [CIA]) and identified the constituents responsible for such activity. Daily administration of SGE, initiated at disease onset, attenuated the severity of CIA, reducing the joint lesion and proinflammatory cytokine release. In vitro incubation of dendritic cells (DCs) with SGE limited specific CD4+ Th17 cell response. We identified adenosine (ADO) and 5′AMP as the major salivary molecules responsible for anti-inflammatory activities. Pharmacologic inhibition of ADO A2A receptor or enzymatic catabolism of salivary nucleosides reversed the SGE-induced immunosuppressive effect. Importantly, CD73 (ecto-5′-nucleotidase enzyme) is expressed on DC surface during stage of activation, suggesting that ADO is also generated by 5′AMP metabolism. Moreover, both nucleosides mimicked SGE-induced anti-inflammatory activity upon DC function in vitro and attenuated establishment of CIA in vivo. We reveal that ADO and 5′AMP are present in pharmacological amounts in P. papatasi saliva and act preferentially on DC function, consequently reducing Th17 subset activation and suppressing the autoimmune response. Thus, it is plausible that these constituents might be promising therapeutic molecules to target immune inflammatory diseases.

Neospora caninum excreted/secreted antigens trigger CC-chemokine receptor 5-dependent cell migration

Neospora caninum, the causative agent of neosporosis, is an obligate intracellular parasite considered to be a major cause of abortion in cattle throughout the world. Most studies concerning N. caninum have focused on life cycle, seroepidemiology, pathology and vaccination, while data on host-parasite interaction, such as host cell migration, mechanisms of evasion and dissemination of this parasite during the early phase of infection are still poorly understood. Here we show the ability of excreted/secreted antigens from N. caninum (NcESAs) to attract monocytic cells to the site of primary infection in both in vitro and in vivo assays. Molecules from the family of cyclophilins present on the NcESAs were shown to work as chemokine-like proteins and NcESA-induced chemoattraction involved G(i) protein signaling and participation of CC-chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5). Additionally, we demonstrate the ability of NcESAs to enhance the expression of CCR5 on monocytic cells and this increase occurred in parallel with the chemotactic activity of NcESAs by increasing cell migration. These results suggest that during the first days of infection, N. caninum produces molecules capable of inducing monocytic cell migration to the sites of infection, which will consequently enhance initial parasite invasion and proliferation. Altogether, these results help to clarify some key features involved in the process of cell migration and may reveal virulence factors and therapeutic targets to control neosporosis.

Plasmodium falciparum Infection Induces Expression of a Mosquito Salivary Protein (Agaphelin) That Targets Neutrophil Function and Inhibits Thrombosis without Impairing Hemostasis

Background Invasion of mosquito salivary glands (SGs) by Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites is an essential step in the malaria life cycle. How infection modulates gene expression, and affects hematophagy remains unclear. Principal Findings Using Affimetrix chip microarray, we found that at least 43 genes are differentially expressed in the glands of Plasmodium falciparum-infected Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. Among the upregulated genes, one codes for Agaphelin, a 58-amino acid protein containing a single Kazal domain with a Leu in the P1 position. Agaphelin displays high homology to orthologs present in Aedes sp and Culex sp salivary glands, indicating an evolutionarily expanded family. Kinetics and surface plasmon resonance experiments determined that chemically synthesized Agaphelin behaves as a slow and tight inhibitor of neutrophil elastase (KD∼10 nM), but does not affect other enzymes, nor promotes vasodilation, or exhibit antimicrobial activity. TAXIscan chamber assay revealed that Agaphelin inhibits neutrophil chemotaxis toward fMLP, affecting several parameter associated with cell migration. In addition, Agaphelin reduces paw edema formation and accumulation of tissue myeloperoxidase triggered by injection of carrageenan in mice. Agaphelin also blocks elastase/cathepsin-mediated platelet aggregation, abrogates elastase-mediated cleavage of tissue factor pathway inhibitor, and attenuates neutrophil-induced coagulation. Notably, Agaphelin inhibits neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation and prevents FeCl3-induced arterial thrombosis, without impairing hemostasis. Conclusions Blockade of neutrophil elastase emerges as a novel antihemostatic mechanism in hematophagy; it also supports the notion that neutrophils and the innate immune response are targets for antithrombotic therapy. In addition, Agaphelin is the first antihemostatic whose expression is induced by Plasmodium sp infection. These results suggest that an important interplay takes place in parasite-vector-host interactions.