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Molecular Characterization And Related Aspects Of The Innate Immune Response In Ticks, Daniel E. Sonenshine, Wayne L. Hynes
Molecular Characterization And Related Aspects Of The Innate Immune Response In Ticks, Daniel E. Sonenshine, Wayne L. Hynes
Biological Sciences Faculty Publications
Compared to insects, little is known about innate immunity in ticks. This chapter addresses the molecular processes that recognize non-self and the cellular and molecular processes mobilized to phagocytose, engulf, inhibit or kill invaders. We discuss the receptors that recognize pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and the putative up-regulation of regulatory cascades that lead, ultimately, to cellular or molecular responses. We describe the molecular events that activate the cellular processes and the array of humoral factors that are mobilized against invading organisms, including antimicrobial peptides, proteases and protease inhibitors, lectins, coagulation factors and others. Special attention is directed to the …
Using Rna Interference To Determine The Role Of Varisin In The Innate Immune System Of The Hard Tick Dermacentor Variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae)., Wayne L. Hynes, Martha M. Stokes, Shannon M. Hensley, S. Michelle Todd, Daniel E. Sonenshine
Using Rna Interference To Determine The Role Of Varisin In The Innate Immune System Of The Hard Tick Dermacentor Variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae)., Wayne L. Hynes, Martha M. Stokes, Shannon M. Hensley, S. Michelle Todd, Daniel E. Sonenshine
Biological Sciences Faculty Publications
Defensins are an important component of the innate immune system of ticks. These small peptides are produced by various genera of ticks, and expressed in various tissues. In this study we used RNA interference to silence the expression of the defensin varisin produced by the hemocytes of the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis. Ticks were injected with double stranded varisin RNA prior to being placed on a rabbit. After feeding, the ticks were removed, bled, and the hemolymph plasma and hemocytes separated. Hemocytes were screened for the presence (or absence) of both varisin transcript and peptide. Varisin peptide was …