Dendritic Cells as a Disputed Fortress on the Tick-Host Battlefield

Abstract

From seminal publications in the early 1970s, the world learned that dendritic cells (DCs) are powerful and versatile antigen-presenting cells. It took a few years until the first studies expanded our understanding of the pivotal role of these immune 'soldiers' against ticks. Advances in biochemistry, molecular biology, and bioinformatics have shed light on the identification of key salivary molecules that modulate the biology of DCs in favor of tick parasitism. Here, we present a critical overview of the discoveries accumulated on the tick-host battlefield from a DC perspective. Moreover, the clinical significance of DC-targeted tick salivary components is discussed, not only as facilitators of the transmission of tick-borne pathogens or vaccine candidates, but also as potential immunobiologics to treat immune-mediated diseases.

Keywords: bioactive molecules; dendritic cells; immunobiologics; saliva; ticks; tick–host interactions.