Ehrlichia chaffeensis Co-Opts Phagocytic Hemocytes for Systemic Dissemination in the Lone Star Tick, Amblyomma americanum.
J Innate Immun
; 16(1): 66-79, 2024.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38142680
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Hematophagous arthropods can acquire and transmit several pathogens of medical importance. In ticks, the innate immune system is crucial in the outcome between vector-pathogen interaction and overall vector competence. However, the specific immune response(s) elicited by the immune cells known as hemocytes remains largely undefined in Ehrlichia chaffeensis and its competent tick vector, Amblyomma americanum.METHODS:
We utilized injection of clodronate liposome to deplete tick granulocytes combined with infection with E. chaffeensis to demonstrate their essential role in microbial infection.RESULTS:
Here, we show that granulocytes, professional phagocytic cells, are integral in eliciting immune responses against commensal and pathogen infection. The chemical depletion of granulocytes led to decreased phagocytic efficiency of tissue-associated hemocytes. We demonstrate that E. chaffeensis can infect circulating hemocytes, and both cell-free plasma and hemocytes from E. chaffeensis-infected ticks can establish Ehrlichia infection in recipient ticks. Lastly, we provide evidence to show that granulocytes play a dual role in E. chaffeensis infection. Depleting granulocytic hemocytes increased Ehrlichia load in the salivary gland and midgut tissues. In contrast, granulocyte depletion led to a reduced systemic load of Ehrlichia.CONCLUSION:
This study has identified multiple roles for granulocytic hemocytes in the control and systemic dissemination of E. chaffeensis infection.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Ehrlichiosis
/
Ehrlichia chaffeensis
/
Ixodidae
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Innate Immun
Asunto de la revista:
ALERGIA E IMUNOLOGIA
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos