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Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma marginale elicit different gene expression responses in cultured tick cells

Zorica Zivkovic1, Edmour F Blouin, Raúl Manzano-Roman

  • 1Utrecht Centre for Tick-Borne Diseases (UCTD), Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Comparative and Functional Genomics
|July 29, 2009
PubMed

Insights

This study reveals that Anaplasma phagocytophilum alters gene expression in Ixodes scapularis tick cells. Different Anaplasma species elicit distinct gene expression responses, impacting tick-pathogen interactions.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Vector-borne diseases
  • Tick biology

Background:

  • Anaplasma are obligate intracellular tick-transmitted bacteria.
  • Anaplasma marginale impacts tick gene expression related to survival and pathogen multiplication.
  • Gene expression in tick cells infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the tick gene expression profile in response to Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection.
  • To compare gene expression in tick cells infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum versus Anaplasma marginale.

Main Methods:

  • Microarray analysis
  • Real-time RT-PCR
  • Infection of Ixodes scapularis ticks and ISE6 cells

Main Results:

  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum modulates tick gene expression.
  • Distinct gene expression profiles were observed in tick cells infected with A. phagocytophilum compared to A. marginale.
  • Differences suggest varying Anaplasma life cycles within tick cells.

Conclusions:

  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum significantly alters tick cell gene expression.
  • Anaplasma species induce differential gene expression responses in tick cells.
  • These variations highlight complex Anaplasma-tick interactions and potential differences in pathogen replication strategies.

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