The microRNA profiles between a generalist and specialist fed tick females

Ticks are important ectoparasites that affect wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. There are two types of ticks, a generalist and specialist. The generalist tick can feed on a wide range of hosts, meanwhile, the specialist tick has co-evolved with their host and will preferentially feed on this host. During feeding, ticks can release many pharmaceutical compounds within their saliva, such as proteins, lipids, messenger RNA, and microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are short, ~18-22nt, non-coding sequences that can regulate the host’s gene expression at the host-tick interface and can enhance pathogen transmission. miRNAs can be transported via extracellular vesicles (EVs) within the saliva. EVs are double lipid layered vesicles that can encapsulate and transport intracellular cargo. EVs have also shown to delay wound healing responses and enhance pathogen transmission in ticks. Currently, it is unknown the specific role that miRNAs-EVs play during feeding. The objective of this study was to compare the miRNA-EVs profiles between the generalist and specialist tick. The elaboration of the miRNA profiles can serve as the foundation for future functional studies, like RNAi silencing or miRNA role determination and validation in tick feeding or wound healing responses.