Saliva of Ixodes ricinus enhances TBE virus replication in dendritic cells by modulation of pro-survival Akt pathway

0498748 - BC 2019 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Lieskovská, Jaroslava - Páleníková, J. - Langhansová, H. - Chmelař, J. - Kopecký, J.
Saliva of Ixodes ricinus enhances TBE virus replication in dendritic cells by modulation of pro-survival Akt pathway.
Virology. Roč. 514, JAN 15 (2018), s. 98-105. ISSN 0042-6822. E-ISSN 1089-862X
Institutional support: RVO:60077344
Keywords : Dendritic cells * Signaling * tbev * Tick saliva
OECD category: Genetics and heredity (medical genetics to be 3)
Impact factor: 2.657, year: 2018

It has been suggested that tick saliva facilitates transmission of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) to vertebrates. The mechanism of this facilitation has not been elucidated yet. Since dendritic cells (DCs) are among first cells attacked by the virus, we examined the amount of virus and changes induced by saliva in TBEV-infected DCs. We found that virus replication was significantly increased by saliva of Ixodes ricinus tick. Next, saliva-induced enhancement of Akt pathway activation was observed in TBEV-infected DCs. Akt mediated pathway is known for its anti-apoptotic and pro-survival effects. Accordingly, apoptosis of TBEV-infected DCs was declined and cellular viability increased in the presence of tick saliva. Saliva-induced enhancement of STAT1 and NF-κB was also observed in TBEV-infected DCs. In conclusion, we suggest that tick saliva provides pro-survival and anti-apoptotic signals to infected DCs via upregulation of Akt, which may have positive consequences for TBEV replication and transmission.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0291015