Metabolomic changes associated with acquired resistance toIxodes scapularis

Abstract

AbstractGuinea pigs repeatedly exposed toIxodes scapularisdevelop acquired resistance to the ticks (ATR). The molecular mechanisms of ATR have not been fully elucidated, and partially involve immune responses to proteins in tick saliva. In this study, we examined the metabolome of sera of guinea pigs during the development of ATR. Induction of components of the tyrosine metabolic pathway, including hydroxyphenyllactic acid (HPLA), were associated with ATR. We therefore administered HPLA to mice, an animal that does not develop ATR, and exposed the animals toI. scapularis. We also administered nitisinone, a known inhibitor of tyrosine degradation, to another group of mice. The mortality ofI. scapularisthat fed on mice given HPLA or nitisinone was 26% and 72% respectively, compared with 2% mortality among ticks that fed on control animals. These data indicate that metabolic changes that occur after tick bites contribute to ATR.