GW4869 inhibitor affects vector competence and tick-borne flavivirus acquisition and transmission by blocking exosome secretion.

Exosomes/extracellular vesicles (EVs) are essential for the successful transmission of flaviviruses from vector to vertebrate host. Arthropod-EVs are envisioned as important target for blocking the transmission of vector-borne viral diseases. In this study, we show that the selective inhibition of EVs secretion by sphingomyelinase inhibitor, GW4869 significantly reduces vector efficiency and competence in acquiring and transmitting tick-borne flaviviruses.

Antibody-blocking of a tick transporter impairs Anaplasma phagocytophilum colonization in Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks.

The invasive Asian longhorned tick Haemaphysalis longicornis that vectors and transmits several animal pathogens is significantly expanding in the United States. Recent studies report that these ticks also harbor human pathogens including Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Babesia microti, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Therefore, studies that address the interactions of these ticks with human pathogens are important.

Anti-tick vaccine candidate subolesin is important for blood feeding and innate immune gene expression in soft ticks.

Subolesin is a conserved molecule in both hard and soft ticks and is considered as an effective candidate molecule for the development of anti-tick vaccine. Previous studies have reported the role of subolesin in blood feeding, reproduction, development, and gene expression in hard ticks. However, studies addressing the role of subolesin in soft ticks are limited.

Immunization against arthropod protein impairs transmission of rickettsial pathogen from ticks to the vertebrate host.

Human anaplasmosis caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum is one of the most common tick-borne diseases in the United States. The black-legged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, vector and transmit this bacterium to humans. In this study, we provide evidence that targeting I.