CHINESE JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY AND PARASITIC DISEASES ›› 2024, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (6): 767-775.doi: 10.12140/j.issn.1000-7423.2024.06.012

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Tick-derived anticoagulant proteins and their potential value in the medical field

HE Xiaofei1,2(), GAO Jinliang1,2,*()   

  1. 1 Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Ordos Central Hospital, Ordos 017000, Inner Mongolia, China
    2 Ordos School of Clinical Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Ordos 017000, Inner Mongolia, China
  • Received:2024-06-22 Revised:2024-08-28 Online:2024-12-30 Published:2025-01-14
  • Contact: E-mail: golden_bright@hotmail.com
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Sciences Foundation of China(82360406);Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China(2021MS08063);Inner Mongolia Science and Technology Innovation Guidance and Award Fund(2021);Inner Mongolia Master’s Student Science Innovation Project(S20231198Z)

Abstract:

Ticks are hematophagous insects that infest both humans and animals. During a blood meal, they inevitably activate the host’s coagulation system. To evade the host’s defense mechanisms, ticks secrete various anticoagulant proteins that regulate the host’s coagulation system, ensuring continuous blood flow. Most anticoagulation proteins are protease inhibitors capable of interacting with coagulation factors or molecules associated with platelet activity to effectively regulate the host’s blood coagulation process. So far, numerous tick-derived anticoagulant molecules with diverse structures have been identified. These molecules exhibit high specificity and strong affinity for their target molecules in the host. Anticoagulants developed from these tick-derived molecules are expected to offer effective anticoagulant activity with a lower risk of bleeding. This article reviews the research progress of some tick-derived anticoagulant molecules, delving into their mechanisms of action and potential clinical application, aiming to inform the development of new anticoagulant drugs.

Key words: Tick, Anticoagulant, Coagulation factor inhibitor, Platelet activity inhibitor

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