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Fig. 2 | Parasites & Vectors

Fig. 2

From: Saliva of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) inhibits classical and alternative complement pathways

Fig. 2

Effect of Rhipicephalus microplus saliva on the deposition and cleavage of components of the classical pathway. a-e Deposition of C1q, C4b, C3b, C5b and C9, respectively, on the activation surfaces. Bars represent the arithmetic mean ± standard deviation (SD) of three biological replicates. Asterisks indicate a statistically significant difference compared to controls (*P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001). f Inhibition of C4 cleavage through the classical pathway. Supernatant of haemolysis assays by classical pathway with salivary proteins (15 μg) or without saliva were analysed by Western blot, which were probed with anti-C4 polyclonal antibodies. g Action of salivary proteins on C1s enzymatic activity. Assays were carried out by combining purified C4 and C1s to saliva and C4 cleavage was analysed by Western blot. The α (93 kDa), β (75 kDa) and γ (33 kDa) subunits of C4 as well as the α’ fragment (84 kDa) originated from C4 cleavage are indicated by arrows. Results of one Western blot out of three are shown in g and f

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