Regulation of the immune response to α-Gal and vector-borne diseases
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases (VBD) challenge our understanding of emerging diseases. Recently, arthropod vectors have been involved in emerging anaphylactic diseases. In particular, the immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody response to the carbohydrate Gala1-3Galb1-(3)4GlcNAc-R (a-gal) following a tick bite was associated with allergies to red meat, cetuximab, and gelatin. By contrast, an anti-a-gal IgM antibody response was shown to protect against mosquito-borne malaria. Herein, we highlight the interplay between the gut microbiota, vectors, transmitted pathogens, and the regulation of the immune response as a model to understand the protective or allergic effect of a-gal. Establishing the source of a-gal in arthropod vectors and the immune response to vector bites and transmitted pathogens will be essential for diagnosing, treating, and ultimately preventing these emerging anaphylactic and other vector-borne diseases.