Vaccination of cattle against the Boophilus microplus using a mucin‐like membrane glycoprotein

Abstract

An antigen, BMA7, which induced partial immunity against tick infestation has been isolated from Boophilus microplus using two different protein fractionation protocols, accompanied by vaccination and parasite challenge trails. The antigen is a 63 kDa glycoprotein isolated from semi-engorged adult female ticks. Though significant, the induced immunity is less striking than that previously reported for antigen Bm86 from the same parasite. However, co-vaccination with Bm86 and BMA7 can enhance immunity over that seen with a commercial vaccine based on Bm86 alone. Limited peptide sequence information shows significant variation in the BMA7 protein occurs. The antigen has approximately 36 kDa of glycosylation, in both N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides. There is evidence that both polypeptide and oligosaccharide are antigenic, but the chemical nature of the protective antigenic sites is not clear. There is little or no immunological response to the antigen during natural infestation with parasites, suggesting the antigen is 'concealed' and protective immunity dependent on artificial vaccination. The antigen has some similarities with the vertebrate mucins. It is widely distributed in tick tissues and membrane bound but its function is currently unknown.

Differential protein expression in ovaries of uninfected and Babesia-infected southern cattle ticks, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus

“…Also of interest as targets for vaccine development are components derived from the midgut. Three membrane-bound glycoproteins -the carboxydipeptidase Bm91 and two proteins of unknown function, Bm86 and BMA7, were isolated from midgut preparations of R. microplus and elicited protection when used for vaccinating cattle (Riding et al, 1994;Willadsen et al, 1995;McKenna et al, 1998). Based on the Bm86 molecule, the recombinant commercial vaccine TickGARD was developed (Willadsen, 2004), which reduces survival and reproduction rates of ticks.…”

Vaccination Effects of Recombinant Chitinase Protein from the Hard Tick Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae)

“…However, the success of this method depend on the identification, cloning, and in vitro expression of tick molecules playing key physiological roles in the biological success of the tick as a vector and pest [4,13,20]. Mulenga et al [14] demonstrated the possibility of a tick vaccine against H. longicornis.…”

Immunoglobulin-binding proteins in ticks: new target for vaccine development against a blood-feeding parasite

“…Although the vaccine efficacy for controlling immature B. microplus is uncertain, the Bm86 vaccine clearly demonstrated that targeting the tick gut alone can cause severe damage to the tick. The vaccine can be further improved when used in combination with other concealed antigens, such as Bm91 and BMA7 [59,60]. Bm91 is a carboxydipeptidase, largely concentrated in the salivary glands [61].…”

“…Bm91 is a carboxydipeptidase, largely concentrated in the salivary glands [61]. Antigen BMA7 is a mucin-like membrane glycoprotein widely distributed in the tick body [60]. Vaccination using Bm91 or BMA7 alone was not as effective as the Bm86 vaccine, but combinations with Bm86 significantly enhanced vaccine efficacy.…”