Activités médiées par les cholinomimétiques des neurones peptidergiques innervant les glandes salivaires de la tique Ixodes ricinus

Ixodes ricinus is the most prominent tick vector of disease-causing viral, bacterial, and protozoan agents in Europe. The activities of tick salivary glands play a pivotal role in tick-borne pathogen transmission. Neuropeptidergic axons, originating from distinct neuronal cells, innervate several hundred saliva-producing acini in the salivary glands. Although the superior power of these neurons has been proposed, their activities are not well understood. We have obtained unique evidence that two different types of cholinergic receptors are co-expressed in the terminals of these axons, likely mediating neuropeptide release for their downstream effects in the glands. Here, we aim to use cutting-edge molecular, biochemical, pharmacological, and electrophysiological tools to uncover the nature of this unique system. Our study has strong potential to identify powerful targets to disrupt tick salivary gland function and, subsequently, the transfer of tick-borne pathogens.