Tick saliva has been extensively studied in the context of tick-host interactions because it is involved in host homeostasis modulation and microbial pathogen transmission to the host. Accumulated knowledge about the tick saliva composition at the molecular level has revealed that serine protease inhibitors play a key role in the tick-host interaction. Serpins are one highly expressed group of protease inhibitors in tick salivary glands, their expression can be induced during tick blood-feeding, and they have many biological functions at the tick-host interface. Indeed, tick serpins have an important role in inhibiting host hemostatic processes and in the modulation of the innate and adaptive immune responses of their vertebrate hosts. Tick serpins have also been studied as potential candidates for therapeutic use and vaccine development. In this review, we critically summarize the current state of knowledge about the biological role of tick serpins in shaping tick-host interactions with emphasis on the mechanisms by which they modulate host immunity. Their potential use in drug and vaccine development is also discussed.

Department of Medical Biology Faculty of Science University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice České Budějovice Czechia

General Hospital of Heraklion Venizeleio Pananeio Heraklion Greece

Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors Institute of Parasitology Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences České Budějovice Czechia

Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Ticks Institute of Parasitology Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences České Budějovice Czechia

State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding Ministry of Agriculture Southwest University Chongqing China

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