| 1. |
- Hoffman, Tove, et al.
(författare)
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Association between guilds of birds in the African-Western Palaearctic region and the tick species Hyalomma rufipes, one of the main vectors of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus.
- 2022
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Ingår i: Microorganisms. - : MDPI AG. - 2076-2607. ; 10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The migratory behavior of wild birds contributes to the geographical spread of ticks and their microorganisms. In this study, we aimed to investigate the dispersal and co-occurrence of Francisella and spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) in ticks infesting birds migrating northward in the African-Western Palaearctic region (AWPR). Birds were trapped with mist nests across the Mediterranean basin during the 2014 and 2015 spring migration. In total, 575 ticks were collected from 244 birds. We screened the ticks for the species Francisella tularensis, the genus Francisella, and SFGR by microfluidic real-time PCR. Confirmatory analyses and metagenomic sequencing were performed on tick samples that putatively tested positive for F. tularensis during initial screenings. Hyalomma rufipes was the most common tick species and had a high prevalence of Francisella, including co-occurrence of Francisella and SFGR. Metagenomic analysis of total DNA extracted from two H. rufipes confirmed the presence of Francisella, Rickettsia, and Midichloria. Average nucleotide identity and phylogenetic inference indicated the highest identity of the metagenome-assembled genomes to a Francisella-like endosymbiont (FLE), Rickettsia aeschlimannii, and Midichloria mitochondrii. The results of this study suggest that (i) FLE- and SFGR-containing ticks are dispersed by northbound migratory birds in the AWPR, (ii) H. rufipes likely is not involved in transmission of F. tularensis in the AWPR, and (iii) a dual endosymbiosis of FLEs and Midichloria may support some of the nutritional requirements of H. rufipes.
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| 2. |
- Hoffman, Tove, et al.
(författare)
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Co-Occurrence of Francisella, Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia, and Midichloria in Avian-Associated Hyalomma rufipes
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Microorganisms. - : MDPI. - 2076-2607. ; 10:7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The migratory behavior of wild birds contributes to the geographical spread of ticks and their microorganisms. In this study, we aimed to investigate the dispersal and co-occurrence of Francisella and spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) in ticks infesting birds migrating northward in the African-Western Palaearctic region (AWPR). Birds were trapped with mist nests across the Mediterranean basin during the 2014 and 2015 spring migration. In total, 575 ticks were collected from 244 birds. We screened the ticks for the species Francisella tularensis, the genus Francisella, and SFGR by microfluidic real-time PCR. Confirmatory analyses and metagenomic sequencing were performed on tick samples that putatively tested positive for F. tularensis during initial screenings. Hyalomma rufipes was the most common tick species and had a high prevalence of Francisella, including co-occurrence of Francisella and SFGR. Metagenomic analysis of total DNA extracted from two H. rufipes confirmed the presence of Francisella, Rickettsia, and Midichloria. Average nucleotide identity and phylogenetic inference indicated the highest identity of the metagenome-assembled genomes to a Francisella-like endosymbiont (FLE), Rickettsia aeschlimannii, and Midichloria mitochondrii. The results of this study suggest that (i) FLE- and SFGR-containing ticks are dispersed by northbound migratory birds in the AWPR, (ii) H. rufipes likely is not involved in transmission of F. tularensis in the AWPR, and (iii) a dual endosymbiosis of FLEs and Midichloria may support some of the nutritional requirements of H. rufipes.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Lindahl, Hannes, et al.
(författare)
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IL-22 Binding Protein Promotes the Disease Process in Multiple Sclerosis
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Immunology. - : AMER ASSOC IMMUNOLOGISTS. - 0022-1767 .- 1550-6606. ; 203:4, s. 888-898
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Genome-wide association studies have mapped the specific sequence variants that predispose for multiple sclerosis (MS). The pathogenic mechanisms that underlie these associations could be leveraged to develop safer and more effective MS treatments but are still poorly understood. In this article, we study the genetic risk variant rs17066096 and the candidate gene that encodes IL-22 binding protein (IL-22BP), an antagonist molecule of the cytokine IL-22. We show that monocytes from carriers of the risk genotype of rs17066096 express more IL-22BP in vitro and cerebrospinal fluid levels of IL-22BP correlate with MS lesion load on magnetic resonance imaging. We confirm the pathogenicity of IL-22BP in both rat and mouse models of MS and go on to suggest a pathogenic mechanism involving lack of IL-22-mediated inhibition of T cell-derived IFN-gamma expression. Our results demonstrate a pathogenic role of IL-22BP in three species with a potential mechanism of action involving T cell polarization, suggesting a therapeutic potential of IL-22 in the context of MS.
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