The role of inflammasomes in the innate immune response triggered by Rhipicephalus microplus tick infestation in taurine and indicine bovine hosts

Cattle farming is a crucial sector of Brazilian agriculture, in which infestations by Rhipicephalus microplus ticks pose substantial challenges to livestock productivity. These infestations cause both direct and indirect economic losses for producers and the industry. The use of acaricides, a common control method, often leads to the development of resistance in ticks, reducing the effectiveness of this approach. Adaptive immune responses, particularly those mediated by T cell activation and the production of specific antibodies, are essential for protection against parasitic infections in various species, including cattle. However, the underlying mechanisms of this response, especially inflammasome activation, remain poorly understood with respect to breed differences. These variations may influence the adaptive immune response, as taurine breeds (Bos taurus) and indicine breeds (Bos indicus) exhibit distinct immune profiles and different susceptibilities to tick infestations. This study investigated inflammasome responses in Holstein (taurine) and Gyr (indicine) cattle before and after controlled tick infestations to elucidate how innate immune responses may modulate adaptive immunity and, consequently, influence tick resistance.