Anti-tumour necrosis factor activity in saliva of various tick species and its appearance during the feeding period

Abstract

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is one of the most important pro-inflammatory cytokines of the innate immune system. We compared the presence of anti-TNF activity in saliva or salivary gland extract from 11 tick species from the family Ixodidae and demonstrated it in genera Ixodes and Haemaphysalis. We also tested dynamics of this specific activity in Ixodes ricinus saliva. The highest effect of saliva appears at the end of feeding period. Significance of anti-TNF activity for tick feeding and transmission of tick-borne pathogens is discussed.