# REGULATION AND FUNCTION OF SALIVATION IN VECTORS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA · 1991 · $175,386

## Abstract

Ultimately, we seek to understand how saliva of arthropods contribute to
the interaction of vectors with vertebrate hosts. Toward this end, we shall
investigate anti-hemostatic, vasoactive anti-inflammatory, and
immunosuppressive properties of vector saliva, characterizing them both
pharmacologically and biochemically. Ixodid and argasid ticks, sand flies,
triatomine bugs, and fleas will be included in these studies.

In particular, anti-hemostatic studies will concentrate on the antiplatelet
activity of Ornithodorus moubata. Vasoactive studies will study further the
erythema-inducing factor of Lutzomyia longipalpis, characterize the
salivary vasodilator of Rhodnius prolixus, and investigate the
erythema-inducing factor of Xenopsylla cheopis. Anti-inflammatory
activities will investigate the kininase activity of O. moubata and
characterize the LTB immunoreactive material of Ixodes dammini, possibly
an LTB antagonist. Immunosuppressive activities will concentrate on the
anti-neutrophil activity of I. dammini saliva, as well as its
anti-lymphocyte activation property.

This work explores the suggestion that saliva of hermatophagous arthropods
mainly serves an antihemostatic and antiinflammatory role during
blood-finding and blood-feeding. As this idea is further explored, it is
our hope more will be learned on the biology of vectors and the parasites
they vector, and that novel pharmacological compounds will be found.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3128104
- **Project number:** 2R01AI018694-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** ED44Y3W6P7B9
- **Principal Investigator:** JOSE M.C. RIBEIRO
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1991
- **Award amount:** $175,386
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1982-09-30 → 1995-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3128104

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3128104, REGULATION AND FUNCTION OF SALIVATION IN VECTORS (2R01AI018694-08). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3128104. Licensed CC0.

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