Antigens and glycoproteins of larvae, nymphs and adults of the tick Ixodes ricinus.

Protein components of homogenates of unfed larvae and nymphs of Ixodes ricinus (L.), and of ovary, haemolymph, Malpighian tubules, rectal ampulla, fat body, integument, salivary glands and midgut of partially fed adult females were studied for their antigenicity and carbohydrate moieties using immunoblotting and lectin affinity blotting (LAB) techniques. Comparing the individual anti-larval, anti-nymphal and anti-adult immune sera for their capacity to recognize the specific and trans-stadially cross-reactive antigenic proteins, larval feeding induced the most effective humoral response. The majority of immunogens recognized by rabbit anti-tick immune sera are glycoproteins. Most of the glycosylated antigens were modified with N-type glycans; however, O-type glycans were also demonstrated in some antigens. The correlation of the type of glycosylation with antigenicity, and the sharing of common antigenic epitopes by various tissues, are discussed.