Ehrlichia chaffeensis Co-Opts Phagocytic Hemocytes for Systemic Dissemination in the Lone Star Tick, Amblyomma americanum.

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 chemic

SUBMITTER: Adegoke A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10794049 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature