A New Family of Tick Anti-inflammatory Proteins: Class A3 Evasins

Proteins found in tick saliva (evasins) can block the activity of human inflammatory proteins (chemokines) and could therefore could be used to treat human inflammatory diseases. This research revealed a new class of tick anti-inflammatory proteins called “class A3 evasins”. Class A3 evasins exhibit broad-spectrum activity against a variety of human chemokines. Structural analysis revealed the key molecular features giving rise to this activity and enabled rational modification of the chemokine-binding properties. Thus, structure-guided engineering of class A3 evasins serves as an excellent approach for development of new diagnostic and therapeutic agents