Humoral response of captive zebra sharks Stegostoma fasciatum to salivary gland proteins of the leech Branchellion torpedinis
Research article published in Fish & shellfish immunology (2012)
Abstract
Parasitism by the marine leech Branchellion torpedinis is known to cause disease and mortality in captive elasmobranchs and is difficult to control when inadvertently introduced into public aquaria. Preliminary characterization of the salivary gland transcriptome of B. torpedinis has identified anticoagulants, proteases, and immunomodulators that may be secreted into host tissues to aid leech feeding. This retrospective study examined antigen-specific serum IgM responses in captive zebra sharks Stegostoma fasciatum to leech salivary gland extract. Antibody response was examined by ELISA and Western blot assays in 20 serum samples from six zebra sharks, with a 5 year history of leech infection, and 18 serum samples from 8 captive bred zebra sharks, with no history of leech exposure. ELISA demonstrated significantly higher serum IgM titers to salivary gland extract in exposed zebra sharks compared to the non-exposed population. No obvious trends in antibody titers were appreciated in exposed zebra sharks over a four-year period. One-dimensional and two-dimensional Western blot assays revealed IgM targeted specific salivary gland proteins within the 40, 55, 70 and 90 kD range. Antigenic proteins identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and de novo peptide sequencing include a secreted disintegrin, metalloproteinase and thrombospondin motif containing protein (ADAMTS), tubulin, aldehyde dehydrogenase and two unknown proteins. Humoral immune responses to leech salivary gland proteins warrants further investigation as there may be options to exploit immune mechanisms to reduce parasite burdens in aquaria.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Parasitism by the marine leech Branchellion torpedinis is known to cause disease and mortality in captive elasmobranchs and is difficult to control when inadvertently introduced into public aquaria.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio retrospectivo midió la IgM sérica específica de antígeno en tiburones cebra en cautiverio frente al extracto de glándulas salivales de la sanguijuela marina Branchellion torpedinis, hallando títulos de anticuerpos significativamente más altos en los tiburones expuestos a sanguijuelas que en los no expuestos, con IgM dirigidas a proteínas salivales específicas (40-90 kD) identificadas mediante espectrometría de masas como incluidas una proteína secretada de tipo ADAMTS. Para la historia de la hirudoterapia y el secretoma de las sanguijuelas, esto constituye un recordatorio útil de que las glándulas salivales de las sanguijuelas son una fuente compleja de anticoagulantes, proteasas e inmunomoduladores que provocan una respuesta inmunitaria medible del huésped, y se suma al catálogo de proteínas caracterizadas derivadas de sanguijuelas. La advertencia es que este es un estudio de inmunología observacional en una especie de pez de acuario destinado a controlar la carga parasitaria de sanguijuelas, no un estudio terapéutico de la terapia con sanguijuelas medicinales (Hirudo medicinalis/verbana) en humanos, por lo que su relevancia es mecánica y contextual más que clínica.
Citación
Humoral response of captive zebra sharks Stegostoma fasciatum to salivary gland proteins of the leech Branchellion torpedinis
Marancik DP et al. · Fish & shellfish immunology, 2012
Contexto clínico relacionado
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026