SignificanceAn immunosuppressant protein (MTX), which facilitates virus infection by inhibiting leukotriene A_{4} hydrolase (LTA_{4}H) to produce the lipid chemoattractant leukotriene B_{4} (LTB_{4}), was identified and characterized from the submandibular salivary glands of the bat Myotis pilosus . To the best of our knowledge, this is a report of an endogenous LTA_{4}H inhibitor in animals. MTX was highly concentrated in the bat salivary glands, suggesting a mechanism for the generation of immunological privilege and immune tolerance and providing evidence of viral shedding through oral secretions. Moreover, given that the immunosuppressant MTX selectively inhibited the proinflammatory activity of LTA_{4}H, without affecting its antiinflammatory activity, MTX might be a potential candidate for the development of antiinflammatory drugs by targeting the LTA_{4}-LTA_{4}H-LTB_{4} inflammatory axis.
【저자키워드】 virus transmission, immunosuppressive, salivary gland, toxin, Myotis pilosus,