Wheat Consumption Aggravates Colitis in Mice via Amylase Trypsin Inhibitor-mediated Dysbiosis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Wheat has become the world's major staple and its consumption correlates with prevalence of noncommunicable disorders such as inflammatory bowel diseases. Amylase trypsin inhibitors (ATIs), a component of wheat, activate the intestine's innate immune response via toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). We investigated the effects of wheat and ATIs on severity of colitis and fecal microbiota in mice. METHODS: C57BL/6 wild-type and Tlr4-/- mice were fed wheat- or ATI-containing diets or a wheat-free (control) diet and then given dextran sodium sulfate to induce colitis; we also studied Il10-/- mice, which develop spontaneous colitis. Changes in fecal bacteria were assessed by taxa-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction and 16S ribosomal RNA metagenomic sequencing. Feces were collected from mice on wheat-containing, ATI-containing, control diets and transplanted to intestines of mice with and without colitis on control or on ATI-containing diets. Intestinal tissues were collected and analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Bacteria with reported immunomodulatory effects were incubated with ATIs and analyzed in radial diffusion assays. RESULTS: The wheat- or ATI-containing diets equally increased inflammation in intestinal tissues of C57BL/6 mice with colitis, compared with mice on control diets. The ATI-containing diet promoted expansion of taxa associated with development of colitis comparable to the wheat-containing diet. ATIs inhibited proliferation of specific human commensal bacteria in radial diffusion assays. Transplantation of microbiota from feces of mice fed the wheat- or ATI-containing diets to intestines of mice on control diets increased the severity of colitis in these mice. The ATI-containing diet did not increase the severity of colitis in Tlr4-/- mice. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of wheat or wheat ATIs increases intestinal inflammation in mice with colitis, via TLR4, and alters their fecal microbiota. Wheat-based, ATI-containing diets therefore activate TLR4 signaling and promote intestinal dysbiosis.

Multiplexed in-gel microfluidic immunoassays: characterizing protein target loss during reprobing of benzophenone-modified hydrogels.

From whole tissues to single-cell lysate, heterogeneous immunoassays are widely utilized for analysis of protein targets in complex biospecimens. Recently, benzophenone-functionalized hydrogel scaffolds have been used to immobilize target protein for immunoassay detection with fluorescent antibody probes. In benzophenone-functionalized hydrogels, multiplex target detection occurs via serial rounds of chemical stripping (incubation with sodium-dodecyl-sulfate (SDS) and ß-mercaptoethanol at 50-60 °C for ≥1 h), followed by reprobing (interrogation with additional antibody probes). Although benzophenone facilitates covalent immobilization of proteins to the hydrogel, we observe 50% immunoassay signal loss of immobilized protein targets during stripping rounds. Here, we identify and characterize signal loss mechanisms during stripping and reprobing. We posit that loss of immobilized target is responsible for ≥50% of immunoassay signal loss, and that target loss is attributable to disruption of protein immobilization by denaturing detergents (SDS) and incubation at elevated temperatures. Furthermore, our study suggests that protein losses under non-denaturing conditions are more sensitive to protein structure (i.e., hydrodynamic radius), than to molecular mass (size). We formulate design guidance for multiplexed in-gel immunoassays, including that low-abundance proteins be immunoprobed first, even when targets are covalently immobilized to the gel. We also recommend careful scrutiny of the order of proteins targets detected via multiple immunoprobing cycles, based on the protein immobilization buffer composition.

Lactobacilli Degrade Wheat Amylase Trypsin Inhibitors to Reduce Intestinal Dysfunction Induced by Immunogenic Wheat Proteins.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Wheat-related disorders, a spectrum of conditions induced by the ingestion of gluten-containing cereals, have been increasing in prevalence. Patients with celiac disease have gluten-specific immune responses, but the contribution of non-gluten proteins to symptoms in patients with celiac disease or other wheat-related disorders is controversial. METHODS: C57BL/6 (control), Myd88-/-, Ticam1-/-, and Il15-/- mice were placed on diets that lacked wheat or gluten, with or without wheat amylase trypsin inhibitors (ATIs), for 1 week. Small intestine tissues were collected and intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) were measured; we also investigated gut permeability and intestinal transit. Control mice fed ATIs for 1 week were gavaged daily with Lactobacillus strains that had high or low ATI-degrading capacity. Nonobese diabetic/DQ8 mice were sensitized to gluten and fed an ATI diet, a gluten-containing diet or a diet with ATIs and gluten for 2 weeks. Mice were also treated with Lactobacillus strains that had high or low ATI-degrading capacity. Intestinal tissues were collected and IELs, gene expression, gut permeability and intestinal microbiota profiles were measured. RESULTS: In intestinal tissues from control mice, ATIs induced an innate immune response by activation of Toll-like receptor 4 signaling to MD2 and CD14, and caused barrier dysfunction in the absence of mucosal damage. Administration of ATIs to gluten-sensitized mice expressing HLA-DQ8 increased intestinal inflammation in response to gluten in the diet. We found ATIs to be degraded by Lactobacillus, which reduced the inflammatory effects of ATIs. CONCLUSIONS: ATIs mediate wheat-induced intestinal dysfunction in wild-type mice and exacerbate inflammation to gluten in susceptible mice. Microbiome-modulating strategies, such as administration of bacteria with ATI-degrading capacity, may be effective in patients with wheat-sensitive disorders.

Dietary wheat amylase trypsin inhibitors exacerbate murine allergic airway inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Wheat amylase trypsin inhibitors (ATI) are dietary non-gluten proteins that activate the toll-like receptor 4 on myeloid cells, promoting intestinal inflammation. AIM OF THE STUDY: We investigated the effects of dietary ATI on experimental allergic airway inflammation. METHODS: Mice on a gluten and ATI-free diet (GAFD), sensitized with PBS or ovalbumin (OVA) and challenged with OVA, were compared to mice on a commercial standard chow, a gluten diet naturally containing ~ 0.75% of protein as ATI (G+AD), a gluten diet containing ~ 0.19% of protein as ATI (G-AD) and a GAFD with 1% of protein as ATI (AD). Airway hyperreactivity (AHR), inflammation in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and pulmonary tissue sections were analyzed. Allergic sensitization was assessed ex vivo via proliferation of OVA-stimulated splenocytes. RESULTS: Mice on a GAFD sensitized with PBS did not develop AHR after local provocation with methacholine. Mice on a GAFD or on a G-AD and sensitized with OVA developed milder AHR compared to mice fed a G+AD or an AD. The increased AHR was paralleled by increased BAL eosinophils, IL-5 and IL-13 production, and an enhanced ex vivo splenocyte activation in the ATI-fed groups. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary ATI enhance allergic airway inflammation in OVA-challenged mice, while an ATI-free or ATI-reduced diet has a protective effect on AHR. Nutritional wheat ATI, activators of intestinal myeloid cells, may be clinically relevant adjuvants to allergic airway inflammation.

Targeted LC-MS/MS Reveals Similar Contents of α-Amylase/Trypsin-Inhibitors as Putative Triggers of Nonceliac Gluten Sensitivity in All Wheat Species except Einkorn.

Amylase/trypsin-inhibitors (ATIs) are putative triggers of nonceliac gluten sensitivity, but contents of ATIs in different wheat species were not available. Therefore, the predominant ATIs 0.19 + 0.53, 0.28, CM2, CM3, and CM16 in eight cultivars each of common wheat, durum wheat, spelt, emmer, and einkorn grown under the same environmental conditions were quantitated by targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and stable isotope dilution assays using specific marker peptides as internal standards. The results were compared to a label-free untargeted LC-MS/MS analysis, in which protein concentrations were determined by intensity based absolute quantitation. Both approaches yielded similar results. Spelt and emmer had higher ATI contents than common wheat, with durum wheat in between. Only three of eight einkorn cultivars contained ATIs in very low concentrations. The distribution of ATI types was characteristic for hexaploid, tetraploid, and diploid wheat species and suitable as species-specific fingerprint. The results point to a better tolerability of einkorn for NCGS patients, because of very low total ATI contents.

Advances in tick vaccinology in Brazil: from gene expression to immunoprotection.

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus has substantial economic impact on the cattle breeding industry and, chemical control and tick resistance development are the major concern. There is a worldwide search for new options, and control using vaccines has been the main focus nowadays. Studies performed in Brazil found that Bm86-based immunization of bovines reduced the infestation of R. (B.) microplus of vaccinated bovines by 45% to 60%. Native Boophilusmicroplus tripsin inhibitors (BmTIs) with trypsin-, kallikrein-, and elastase-inhibiting activities have been used as immunogens in bovines reaching 72.8.% of efficacy. The reverse vaccinology approach has also been used for antigen search using transcriptome analysis to identify and characterize potential antigens. Study has generated more than 600 million sequences using RNA-seq of larvae, nymphs, salivary glands, intestines, and ovaries of the tick R. (B) microplus. Based on the set of transcripts obtained using this strategy, a total of 20,326 protein sequences have been identified. A pipeline analysis built in house identified the protein sequences that were most likely to be immunogenic based on the overall structural characteristic analysis.

Nutritional Wheat Amylase-Trypsin Inhibitors Promote Intestinal Inflammation via Activation of Myeloid Cells.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Wheat amylase-trypsin inhibitors (ATIs) are nutritional activators of innate immunity, via activation of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on myeloid cells. We aimed to characterize the biologic activity of ATIs in various foods and their effect on intestinal inflammation. METHODS: We selected 38 different gluten-containing and gluten-free products, either unprocessed (such as wheat, rye, barley, quinoa, amaranth, soya, lentils, and rice) or processed (such as pizza, pasta, bread, and biscuits). ATIs were extracted and their biological activities determined in TLR4-responsive mouse and human cell lines. Effects of oral ATIs on intestinal inflammation were determined in healthy C57BL/6 mice on a gluten-free or ATI-free diet and in mice given low-level polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid or dextran sodium sulfate to induce colitis. Parameters of innate and adaptive immune activation were determined in duodenum, ileum, colon, and mesenteric lymph nodes. RESULTS: Modern gluten-containing staples had levels of TLR4-activating ATIs that were as much as 100-fold higher than in most gluten-free foods. Processed or baked foods retained ATI bioactivity. Most older wheat variants (such as Emmer or Einkorn) had lower bioactivity than modern (hexaploid) wheat. ATI species CM3 and 0.19 were the most prevalent activators of TLR4 in modern wheat and were highly resistant to intestinal proteolysis. Their ingestion induced modest intestinal myeloid cell infiltration and activation, and release of inflammatory mediators-mostly in the colon, then in the ileum, and then in the duodenum. Dendritic cells became prominently activated in mesenteric lymph nodes. Concentrations of ATIs found in a normal daily gluten-containing diet increased low-level intestinal inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Gluten-containing cereals have by far the highest concentrations of ATIs that activate TLR4. Orally ingested ATIs are largely resistant to proteases and heat, and increase intestinal inflammation by activating gut and mesenteric lymph node myeloid cells.

A midgut lysate of the Riptortus pedestris has antibacterial activity against LPS O-antigen-deficient Burkholderia mutants.

Riptortus pedestris, a common pest in soybean fields, harbors a symbiont Burkholderia in a specialized posterior midgut region of insects. Every generation of second nymphs acquires new Burkholderia cells from the environment. We compared in vitro cultured Burkholderia with newly in vivo colonized Burkholderia in the host midgut using biochemical approaches. The bacterial cell envelope of in vitro cultured and in vivo Burkholderia differed in structure, as in vivo bacteria lacked lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O-antigen. The LPS O-antigen deficient bacteria had a reduced colonization rate in the host midgut compared with that of the wild-type Burkholderia. To determine why LPS O-antigen-deficient bacteria are less able to colonize the host midgut, we examined in vitro survival rates of three LPS O-antigen-deficient Burkholderia mutants and lysates of five different midgut regions. The LPS O-antigen-deficient mutants were highly susceptible when cultured with the lysate of a specific first midgut region (M1), indicating that the M1 lysate contains unidentified substance(s) capable of killing LPS O-antigen-deficient mutants. We identified a 17 kDa protein from the M1 lysate, which was enriched in the active fractions. The N-terminal sequence of the protein was determined to be a soybean Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitor. These data suggest that the 17 kDa protein, which was originated from a main soybean source of the R. pedestris host, has antibacterial activity against the LPS O-antigen deficient (rough-type) Burkholderia.

Identification of putative kunitz-type proteinase inhibitor as an allergenic protein in potato

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Allergenicity of an enzymatic hydrolysate of soybean 2S protein.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to examine how the characteristics of soybean 2S protein influence allergenicity after enzymatic hydrolysis. Soybean 2S protein was extracted and enzymatic hydrolysis was performed using pepsin and chymotrypsin. Allergenicity was observed using soybean-sensitive patients' sera. RESULTS: Only 13.3% (6/45) of soybean-sensitive patients reacted to soybean Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (SKTI), known as the major allergen of soybean 2S protein. After peptic hydrolysis for 90 min at pH 1.2, the intensity of SKTI decreased to 25% but was still visible on SDS-PAGE. Chymotryptic hydrolysis following peptic hydrolysis at pH 8 for 60 min showed a limited hydrolytic effect on soybean 2S protein. Peptic hydrolysis of soybean 2S protein partially reduced the allergenicity of soybean 2S protein, while chymotryptic hydrolysis following peptic hydrolysis increased slightly the allergenicity. CONCLUSION: Food allergy caused by soybean 2S protein occurred in part of the soybean-sensitive patients. SKTI was partially digested after peptic hydrolysis for 90 min. The allergenicity was decreased with peptic hydrolysis, while subsequent treatment of chymotrypsin increased slightly the allergenicity.

Neonicotinoid insecticides alter induced defenses and increase susceptibility to spider mites in distantly related crop plants.

BACKGROUND: Chemical suppression of arthropod herbivores is the most common approach to plant protection. Insecticides, however, can cause unintended, adverse consequences for non-target organisms. Previous studies focused on the effects of pesticides on target and non-target pests, predatory arthropods, and concomitant ecological disruptions. Little research, however, has focused on the direct effects of insecticides on plants. Here we demonstrate that applications of neonicotinoid insecticides, one of the most important insecticide classes worldwide, suppress expression of important plant defense genes, alter levels of phytohormones involved in plant defense, and decrease plant resistance to unsusceptible herbivores, spider mites Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae), in multiple, distantly related crop plants. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), corn (Zea mays) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants, we show that transcription of phenylalanine ammonia lyase, coenzyme A ligase, trypsin protease inhibitor and chitinase are suppressed and concentrations of the phytohormone OPDA and salicylic acid were altered by neonicotinoid insecticides. Consequently, the population growth of spider mites increased from 30% to over 100% on neonicotinoid-treated plants in the greenhouse and by nearly 200% in the field experiment. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings are important because applications of neonicotinoid insecticides have been associated with outbreaks of spider mites in several unrelated plant species. More importantly, this is the first study to document insecticide-mediated disruption of plant defenses and link it to increased population growth of a non-target herbivore. This study adds to growing evidence that bioactive agrochemicals can have unanticipated ecological effects and suggests that the direct effects of insecticides on plant defenses should be considered when the ecological costs of insecticides are evaluated.

Transglutaminase-mediated modification of ovomucoid: effects on its trypsin inhibitory activity and antigenic properties.

Hen egg can cause food hypersensitivity in infants and young children, and ovomucoid is the most allergenic factor among proteins contained in egg white. Since proteinase treatment, a well-recognized strategy in reducing food allergenicity, is ineffective when applied to ovomucoid because of its ability to act as trypsin inhibitor, we investigated the possibility of reducing the ovomucoid antiprotease activity and antigenic properties by covalently modifying its structure. The present paper reports data showing the ability of the Gln115 residue of ovomucoid to act as an acyl donor substrate for the enzyme transglutaminase and, as a consequence, to give rise to a covalent monodansylcadaverine conjugate of the protein in the presence of both enzyme and the diamine dansylated derivative. Moreover, we demonstrated that the obtained structural modification of ovomucoid significantly reduced the capability of the protein to inhibit trypsin activity, also having impact on its anti-ovomucoid serum-binding properties.

Wheat amylase trypsin inhibitors drive intestinal inflammation via activation of toll-like receptor 4.

Ingestion of wheat, barley, or rye triggers small intestinal inflammation in patients with celiac disease. Specifically, the storage proteins of these cereals (gluten) elicit an adaptive Th1-mediated immune response in individuals carrying HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 as major genetic predisposition. This well-defined role of adaptive immunity contrasts with an ill-defined component of innate immunity in celiac disease. We identify the α-amylase/trypsin inhibitors (ATIs) CM3 and 0.19, pest resistance molecules in wheat, as strong activators of innate immune responses in monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. ATIs engage the TLR4-MD2-CD14 complex and lead to up-regulation of maturation markers and elicit release of proinflammatory cytokines in cells from celiac and nonceliac patients and in celiac patients' biopsies. Mice deficient in TLR4 or TLR4 signaling are protected from intestinal and systemic immune responses upon oral challenge with ATIs. These findings define cereal ATIs as novel contributors to celiac disease. Moreover, ATIs may fuel inflammation and immune reactions in other intestinal and nonintestinal immune disorders.

Protective immunity against tick infestation in cattle vaccinated with recombinant trypsin inhibitor of Rhipicephalus microplus.

The cattle tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, is regarded as the most economically important ectoparasite of livestock globally. Control is achieved primarily through the use of acaricides. This approach is hampered by the development of resistance to commercial acaricides among cattle tick populations. Vaccination against R. microplus infestation is another technology that can be integrated for effective cattle tick control. Proteins belonging to the Kunitz-BPTI family are abundant in cattle tick salivary glands, midgut, and ovaries. These organs are attractive targets for the development of a novel cattle tick vaccine. Efficacy assessment against cattle tick infestation in bovines using a vaccine containing the recombinant form of a member of the Kunitz family from R. microplus produced in a yeast expression system is reported for the first time here. The yeast Pichia pastoris was bioengineered to produce the recombinant version of a trypsin inhibitor that is expressed in cattle tick larvae (rRmLTI). Immunization with rRmLTI afforded 32% efficacy against R. microplus. The estimated molecular weight of rRmLTI was 46 kDa. Structural homology to the native form of the larval trypsin inhibitor was documented by recognition of rRmLTI in Western-blots using polyclonal antibodies from mice immunized with cattle tick larval extract or rRmLTI. Bioinformatics analysis of the partial nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences indicated that the rRmLTI closely resembles BmTI-6, which is a three-headed Kunitz protein present in cattle tick ovary and fat tissue.

Assessment of the clinical significance of antigenic and functional levels of α1-proteinase inhibitor (α1-Pi) in infiltrating ductal breast carcinomas.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical significance of α1-proteinase inhibitor (α1-Pi) in infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum levels of α1-Pi, tryptic specific inhibitory capacity and α1-Pi circulating immune complexes were determined using radial immunodiffusion, BAPNA assays and ELISA, respectively. 2-DE-MS and immunohistochemistry were performed to examine α1-Pi protein expression. RESULTS: A decreased serum level of α1-Pi was found among breast cancer patients in comparison to controls. In addition, we found a significantly decreased mean level of α1-Pi in the node metastatic group when compared to node negative patients. However, the functional activity of the inhibitor did not decrease proportionately. Through 2-DE analyses, a differential expression of α1-Pi isoforms according to tumor stage and node metastatic development was found. CONCLUSIONS: Both α1-Pi levels and specific activity could be a source of complementary clinical information and may provide useful information for a better understanding of the mechanisms of metastasis.

Proteomic analysis of pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor/tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor from urine of patients with pancreatitis or prostate cancer.

The development of proteomic methods, especially mass spectrometry, has brought new possibilities to tumor marker research. Pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (PSTI), a common known biomarker for various malignancies, occurs on genetic variants that we are able to detect at the protein level with proteomic techniques using immunoaffinity capture prior to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). We also show that PSTI can be detected in urine from cancer patients using a two-step peptide enrichment technique and LC-MS. These results show that tumor-associated peptides can be detected in urine by proteomic techniques.

[Preparation and identification of the rat antibody against recombinant buckwheat trypsin inhibitor].

AIM: To prepare the rat antibody against the recombinant buckwheat trypsin inhibitor. METHODS: The recombinant buckwheat trypsin inhibitor was expressed in E.coli. BL21 (DE3) and used as an immunogen to immunize the rat. The titer and specificity of the anti-BTI antibody from the rat were analyzed by ELISA, Western blot and immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS: ELISA detection indicated the titer of the antiserum was about 1:128 000. Western blot analysis showed the antibody reacted specifically with rBTI. The immunohistochemistry analysis proved that rBTI was expressed in the cytoplast and nucleus of EC9706 cells. CONCLUSION: The rat antibody against rBTI has high titer and specificity, which is beneficial to further study on the molecular mechanisms in rBTI-induced apoptosis of tumor cells and also provide an important theory basis for further exploring the relationship between the structure and function of BTI.

Genetically glycosylated ovomucoid third domain can modulate Immunoglobulin E antibody production and cytokine response in BALB/c mice.

BACKGROUND: Food allergies are on the rise and it is estimated that in North America, 8% of the children and 4% of the adults have food allergies. Food allergies tend to occur more often in children than in adults due to their immature digestive and immune systems. Hen's egg is among the most common cause of food-induced allergic reactions in North America. OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of N-glycans of the third domain of ovomucoid in IgE binding and modulation of allergen-specific immune response in BALB/c mice. METHODS: The cDNA encoding the third domain of ovomucoid was inserted into the yeast genome and expressed in Pichia pastoris X-33 cells, under the control of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (GAP) dehydrogenase promoter for constitutive expression to obtain a post-translationally modified and functionally active ovomucoid third domain. Upon expression, the protein was secreted into the extracellular medium and was purified by size exclusion chromatography. The recombinant protein was produced at 10 mg/L of the culture supernatant. BALB/c mice were sensitized with the recombinant and native forms of glycosylated ovomucoid third domain antigen. The allergic response of the native and the recombinant glycosylated forms of ovomucoid third domain antigens were compared using antibody and cytokine measurements. RESULTS: ELISA tests indicated a significant decrease in specific IgE antibodies to the recombinant N-linked glycosylated form (P-Gly), when compared with the native glycosylated form (DIII+) using mice sera. Immunization with P-Gly induced the production of IFN-gamma [T-helper type 1 (Th1) response] and lowered the production of IL-4 (Th2 response), and a skewed balance towards the Th1 cytokine demonstrated that P-Gly has a modulating ability on Th1/Th2 balance to down-regulate Th2 response. Furthermore, N-linked glycan (N28) in the third domain of ovomucoid was shown to be associated with suppression of the allergic response. CONCLUSION: Therefore, we can conclude that P-Gly facilitates and contributes to the discovery of new molecular target for the development of a safe and specific therapeutic vaccine for the treatment of egg allergy, and oligosaccharides do seem to play a major role in the suppression of IgE-binding activity.

A synthetic bmti n-terminal fragment as antigen in bovine immunoprotection against the tick Boophilus microplus in a pen trial.

Cattle tick control remains a serious problem in cattle farms worldwide, due to the limited success achieved with chemicals. Although the use of vaccines for tick control may open possibilities for an integrated approach, the search for other protective antigens is still necessary to improve control. Boophilus microplus is a rich source of BmTIs, serine proteinase inhibitors that are present throughout the tick's lifecycle. The present paper reports a pen trial conducted to evaluate the performance of a synthetic BmTI N-terminal fragment as antigen against the tick in bovines. The trial was conducted with two groups of eight crossbred cattle under controlled infestation: one group was vaccinated with BmTI peptide using saponin as adjuvant and the other was kept as control. Challenge was performed with 15,000 larvae. The specific IgG response was measured by ELISA, with successful outcomes for vaccinated animals. Vaccination resulted in an 18.4% level of efficacy when compared with the control group.