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Feeding of Ticks on Animals for Transmission and Xenodiagnosis in Lyme Disease Research
Published on: September 1, 2013
Mx1-based resistance to thogoto virus in A2G mice is bypassed in tick-mediated virus delivery
1Institute of Virology and Environmental Microbiology, Oxford OX1 3SR, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
The interferon-induced mouse Mx1 protein has intrinsic antiviral activity against orthomyxoviruses, including Thogoto virus. Thus, Mx1(+) A2G mice are apparently resistant to infection following needle- or tick-borne virus challenge. However, tick-borne challenge and, to a lesser degree, injection of virus mixed with tick salivary gland extract resulted in virus transmission to uninfected ticks feeding on the A2G mice. The data indicate that immunomodulatory components in tick saliva can overcome a natural antiviral mechanism.
Insights
Mouse Mx1 protein provides antiviral defense against Thogoto virus. However, tick saliva components can overcome this natural resistance, enabling virus transmission during tick-borne challenges.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Entomology
Background:
- The interferon-induced Mx1 protein in mice confers intrinsic antiviral activity against orthomyxoviruses, such as Thogoto virus.
- Mx1-expressing A2G mice demonstrate resistance to needle- or tick-borne virus challenges, suggesting a natural defense mechanism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of tick saliva components in overcoming the antiviral activity of the mouse Mx1 protein.
- To determine if tick-borne Thogoto virus challenge can lead to transmission despite the presence of Mx1-mediated resistance.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing Mx1(+) A2G mice for challenge experiments with Thogoto virus.
- Employing both needle-borne and tick-borne challenge models.
- Administering virus mixed with tick salivary gland extract.
- Monitoring virus transmission to naive ticks feeding on challenged mice.
Main Results:
- Mx1(+) A2G mice showed apparent resistance to needle- or tick-borne Thogoto virus challenge.
- Virus transmission to uninfected ticks occurred following tick-borne challenge.
- Virus transmission was also observed, to a lesser extent, when mice were injected with virus and tick salivary gland extract.
Conclusions:
- Tick salivary gland immunomodulatory components can effectively overcome the intrinsic antiviral activity of the mouse Mx1 protein.
- This interaction highlights a mechanism by which tick vectors can facilitate virus transmission despite host antiviral defenses.
