Boophilus microplus: The pattern of bovine immunoglobulin isotype responses to high and low tick infestations

• Published in: Experimental parasitology 2005-05, Vol.110 (1), p.12-21
• Main Authors: Kashino, Suely S., Resende, Janaína, Sacco, Ana Maria S., Rocha, Clarisse, Proença, Laila, Carvalho, Wanessa A., Firmino, Alexandre A., Queiroz, Rosevaldo, Benavides, Magda, Gershwin, Laurel J., De Miranda Santos, Isabel K.F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine; Animals; antibody formation; antigens; Biological and medical sciences; Boophilus microplus; Boophilus microplus (Ixodidae) is a monoxene (one host) hard tick found in subtropical and tropical regions (Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America, parts of Africa, Madagascar, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and Australia). It is found in wild and domestic herbivores, including cattle ( Bos taurus taurus, Bos taurus indicus, and crossbreeds); Bos taurus indicus; Bos taurus taurus; breed differences; Cattle; cattle breeds; Cattle Diseases - immunology; Cattle Diseases - parasitology; Disease Susceptibility - immunology; Disease Susceptibility - veterinary; dithiotreitol; dose response; DTT; EDTA; ELISA; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; immune response; Immunity, Innate - immunology; Immunoglobulin A - biosynthesis; Immunoglobulin A - blood; immunoglobulin E; Immunoglobulin E - biosynthesis; Immunoglobulin E - blood; immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin G - biosynthesis; Immunoglobulin G - blood; Immunoglobulin isotypes; interleukin; Ixodidae; Ixodidae - immunology; Life cycle. Host-agent relationship. Pathogenesis; Male; PBS; pest resistance; phosphate buffered saline; protein isoforms; Protozoa; Saliva; Saliva - immunology; salivary antigens; Tick; tick burden; tick infestations; Tick Infestations - immunology; Tick Infestations - parasitology; Tick Infestations - veterinary; TMB
• ISSN: 0014-4894; 1090-2449
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2005.01.006

Cattle present variable levels of resistance to ticks and the immune correlates of these heritable phenotypes must be known in order to develop effective vaccines. The antibody responses to tick salivary antigens were examined in cattle of tick-susceptible (Holstein) and tick-resistant (Nelore) breeds. After heavy infestations, levels of IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies decreased in Holsteins and remained the same in Nelores. Conversely, levels of IgE antibodies increased in Holsteins. Different sizes of tick burdens modulated the IgG1 antibody response in a susceptible breed (Aberdeen): levels were higher than in controls in heavily infested animals, but not in those undergoing intermediary or minimal infestations. The three experimental groups presented similar levels of IgG2 antibodies. Levels of IgE antibodies were higher only in animals undergoing intermediate infestations. These results indicate that tick infestations suppress the IgG antibody response in susceptible breeds, that IgE antibodies are not protective, and that the dose of tick saliva modulates the isotype of host antibody responses.