2023
Bulk and single-nucleus RNA sequencing highlight immune pathways induced in individuals during an Ixodes scapularis tick bite
Tang X, Lynn G, Cui Y, Cerny J, Arora G, Tomayko M, Craft J, Fikrig E. Bulk and single-nucleus RNA sequencing highlight immune pathways induced in individuals during an Ixodes scapularis tick bite. Infection And Immunity 2023, 91: e00282-23. PMID: 37846980, PMCID: PMC10652856, DOI: 10.1128/iai.00282-23.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsBase SequenceFeeding BehaviorGuinea PigsHumansIxodesRNA, Small NuclearTick BitesConceptsRNA sequencingSingle-nucleus RNA sequencingBulk RNA sequencingInterleukin-17 signalingPlatelet activation pathwaysLaboratory guinea pigsSnRNA-seqHippo signalingIndividual genesPeripheral bloodTick biteAdaptive immunityAnti-tick vaccinesGuidance pathwayImmune pathwaysNew biomarkersHost responseGuinea pigsHematophagous arthropodsHost defenseCell adhesionTick attachmentNovel insightsTick feedingPhysiological consequences
2016
Variable Major Proteins as Targets for Specific Antibodies against Borrelia miyamotoi
Wagemakers A, Koetsveld J, Narasimhan S, Wickel M, Deponte K, Bleijlevens B, Jahfari S, Sprong H, Karan LS, Sarksyan DS, van der Poll T, Bockenstedt LK, Bins AD, Platonov AE, Fikrig E, Hovius JW. Variable Major Proteins as Targets for Specific Antibodies against Borrelia miyamotoi. The Journal Of Immunology 2016, 196: 4185-4195. PMID: 27076681, PMCID: PMC5008243, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1600014.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVariable major proteinsB. miyamotoiSerologic testsC3H/HeN miceBorrelia miyamotoiHumoral immune responseInfected SCID miceTick-borne relapsing feverIgM reactivityHumoral immunityHeN miceIgM productionPassive transferSCID miceSerologic assaysCurrent serologic assaysImmune responseImmune serumRelapsing feverSpecific antibodiesProtein 1MiyamotoiIxodes ticksPatientsFever spirochetes
2013
Mosquito Saliva Serine Protease Enhances Dissemination of Dengue Virus into the Mammalian Host
Conway MJ, Watson AM, Colpitts TM, Dragovic SM, Li Z, Wang P, Feitosa F, Shepherd DT, Ryman KD, Klimstra WB, Anderson JF, Fikrig E. Mosquito Saliva Serine Protease Enhances Dissemination of Dengue Virus into the Mammalian Host. Journal Of Virology 2013, 88: 164-175. PMID: 24131723, PMCID: PMC3911723, DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02235-13.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDengue virusDENV infectivityAedes aegypti salivaMurine lymph nodesSalivary gland extractsAegypti salivaPrevention of diseaseLymph nodesMosquito salivaDENV loadVivo modelSerine protease activityNovel targetViral attachmentViral infectivityVirus infectivitySerine protease inhibitorHeparan sulfate proteoglycanExtracellular matrix proteinsRNA knockdownProtease inhibitorsInfectivitySulfate proteoglycanCell migrationMammalian hosts
2009
Effective siRNA targeting of the 3′ untranslated region of the West Nile virus genome
Anthony KG, Bai F, Krishnan MN, Fikrig E, Koski RA. Effective siRNA targeting of the 3′ untranslated region of the West Nile virus genome. Antiviral Research 2009, 82: 166-168. PMID: 19135091, DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2008.12.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWest Nile virusSiRNA targetsSpecific antiviral therapyRelated dengue virusAntiviral therapyWNV pathogenesisShort hairpin RNA sequencesDengue virusWNV replicationTherapeutic potentialViral replicationRNA interferenceAntiviral therapeuticsSiRNA targetingPotential antiviral therapeuticsVero cellsNile virusSequence-specific inhibitorsHuman pathogensUntranslated regionVirusVirus genomeWest Nile virus genomeTargetPathogenesis
2007
Identification of Salp15 Homologues in Ixodes ricinus Ticks
Hovius JW, Ramamoorthi N, Veer C, de Groot KA, Nijhof AM, Jongejan F, van Dam AP, Fikrig E. Identification of Salp15 Homologues in Ixodes ricinus Ticks. Vector-Borne And Zoonotic Diseases 2007, 7: 296-303. PMID: 17896872, DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2006.0624.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSalp15 homologuesI. scapularis Salp15T cell activationDifferent Ixodes speciesAmino acid sequenceEntire amino acid sequenceSignal sequenceMammalian hostsProtein sequencesAcid sequenceC-terminusReverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reactionSensu strictoIxodes speciesSensu latoMajor vectorHomologuesB. burgdorferi sensu latoBorrelia speciesProteinSalp15Borrelia burgdorferi sensu strictoSpeciesI. ricinusBurgdorferi sensu stricto
2006
An Ixodes scapularis protein required for survival of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in tick salivary glands
Sukumaran B, Narasimhan S, Anderson JF, DePonte K, Marcantonio N, Krishnan MN, Fish D, Telford SR, Kantor FS, Fikrig E. An Ixodes scapularis protein required for survival of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in tick salivary glands. Journal Of Experimental Medicine 2006, 203: 1507-1517. PMID: 16717118, PMCID: PMC2118316, DOI: 10.1084/jem.20060208.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsA. phagocytophilum-infected miceRNA interference-mediated silencingA. phagocytophilumTick salivary proteinsI. scapularis salivary glandsRickettsia-like pathogensTick salivary glandsMammalian hostsGenus RickettsiaAnaplasma phagocytophilumGene expressionSalivary glandsIntracellular organismsArthropodsSalivary proteinsPathogensProteinPhagocytophilumExpressionTicksHuman anaplasmosisSilencingGenesOrganismsAnaplasma
2004
TROSPA, an Ixodes scapularis Receptor for Borrelia burgdorferi
Pal U, Li X, Wang T, Montgomery RR, Ramamoorthi N, deSilva AM, Bao F, Yang X, Pypaert M, Pradhan D, Kantor FS, Telford S, Anderson JF, Fikrig E. TROSPA, an Ixodes scapularis Receptor for Borrelia burgdorferi. Cell 2004, 119: 457-468. PMID: 15537536, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2004.10.027.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAmino Acid SequenceAnimalsAntibodies, BacterialAntigens, SurfaceBacterial Outer Membrane ProteinsBacterial VaccinesBase SequenceBorrelia burgdorferiCloning, MolecularGene Expression RegulationHost-Parasite InteractionsIntestinesIxodesLipoproteinsMiceMice, Inbred C3HMolecular Sequence DataReceptors, Cell SurfaceRecombinant ProteinsConceptsLyme disease agent Borrelia burgdorferiSurvival of spirochetesTick receptorMammalian hostsRNA interferenceEfficient colonizationTROSPAOuter surface protein ABorrelia burgdorferiPathogen adherencePathogen transmissionProtein AB. burgdorferi outer surface protein AMRNA levelsIxodes scapularisB. burgdorferiColonizationSurface protein AReceptorsArthropodsBurgdorferiMammalsRepressionSpirochetesTicks
2002
Salp15, an Ixodes scapularis Salivary Protein, Inhibits CD4+ T Cell Activation
Anguita J, Ramamoorthi N, Hovius JW, Das S, Thomas V, Persinski R, Conze D, Askenase PW, Rincón M, Kantor FS, Fikrig E. Salp15, an Ixodes scapularis Salivary Protein, Inhibits CD4+ T Cell Activation. Immunity 2002, 16: 849-859. PMID: 12121666, DOI: 10.1016/s1074-7613(02)00325-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAmino Acid SequenceAnimalsBase SequenceCalcium SignalingCD4-Positive T-LymphocytesCell DivisionDrosophilaFemaleInterleukin-2IxodesLymphocyte ActivationMiceMice, Inbred BALB CMolecular Sequence DataRabbitsRatsReceptors, Antigen, T-CellReceptors, Interleukin-2Salivary Proteins and PeptidesConceptsT cell activationVector-host interactionsI. scapularis salivaCell activationMolecular basisFunctional importanceTCR ligationSalp15ProteinSalivary proteinsTick salivaCalcium fluxIxodes scapularis salivaActivationArthropodsRepressionImmune responseLow productionPleiotropic propertiesHostInhibits CD4T cell-mediated immune responsesVivo
2001
Borrelia burgdorferi-Induced Inflammation Facilitates Spirochete Adaptation and Variable Major Protein-Like Sequence Locus Recombination
Anguita J, Thomas V, Samanta S, Persinski R, Hernanz C, Barthold S, Fikrig E. Borrelia burgdorferi-Induced Inflammation Facilitates Spirochete Adaptation and Variable Major Protein-Like Sequence Locus Recombination. The Journal Of Immunology 2001, 167: 3383-3390. PMID: 11544329, PMCID: PMC4309988, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.167.6.3383.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdaptation, PhysiologicalAnimalsAntibodies, BacterialAntigens, BacterialAntigens, SurfaceBacterial ProteinsBase SequenceBorrelia burgdorferiCD4-Positive T-LymphocytesDNA, BacterialGene Expression RegulationImmune SeraImmunocompetenceInflammationInterferon-gammaInterleukin-12LipoproteinsLyme DiseaseMiceMice, Inbred C3HMice, KnockoutMolecular Sequence DataReceptors, InterferonRecombination, GeneticSequence AlignmentSequence Homology, Nucleic AcidConceptsImmunocompetent miceDeficient miceB. burgdorferi N40IFN-gammaRMurine immune responseIFN-gamma-mediated responsesIFN-gamma-mediated signalsSpirochetal burdensSpirochete clearanceIL-12Immune responseIFN-gammaControl animalsDifferential immunoscreeningMice resultsMiceVariable major proteinsRT-PCRVivo adaptationB. burgdorferiClearanceBorrelia burgdorferi gene expressionB. burgdorferi survivalAdministrationVivo
2000
Detection of Ehrlichia chaffeensis DNA inAmblyomma americanum Ticks in Connecticut and Rhode Island
Ijdo J, Wu C, Magnarelli L, Stafford K, Anderson J, Fikrig E. Detection of Ehrlichia chaffeensis DNA inAmblyomma americanum Ticks in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Journal Of Clinical Microbiology 2000, 38: 4655-4656. PMID: 11101616, PMCID: PMC87657, DOI: 10.1128/jcm.38.12.4655-4656.2000.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAttachment of Borrelia burgdorferi within Ixodes scapularis mediated by outer surface protein A
Pal U, de Silva A, Montgomery R, Fish D, Anguita J, Anderson J, Lobet Y, Fikrig E. Attachment of Borrelia burgdorferi within Ixodes scapularis mediated by outer surface protein A. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2000, 106: 561-569. PMID: 10953031, PMCID: PMC380253, DOI: 10.1172/jci9427.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGranulocytic Ehrlichiosis in Mice Deficient in Phagocyte Oxidase or Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase
Banerjee R, Anguita J, Fikrig E. Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis in Mice Deficient in Phagocyte Oxidase or Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase. Infection And Immunity 2000, 68: 4361-4362. PMID: 10858261, PMCID: PMC101771, DOI: 10.1128/iai.68.7.4361-4362.2000.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSALP16, a gene induced in Ixodes scapularis salivary glands during tick feeding.
Das S, Marcantonio N, Deponte K, Telford SR, Anderson JF, Kantor FS, Fikrig E. SALP16, a gene induced in Ixodes scapularis salivary glands during tick feeding. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2000, 62: 99-105. PMID: 10761732, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2000.62.99.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAmino Acid SequenceAnimalsBase SequenceBlotting, WesternEnzyme-Linked Immunosorbent AssayFeeding BehaviorFemaleGene Expression RegulationGene LibraryGuinea PigsIxodesMiceMice, Inbred C3HMolecular Sequence DataPolymerase Chain ReactionRandom Amplified Polymorphic DNA TechniqueRecombinant ProteinsRNASalivary GlandsSalivary Proteins and PeptidesSequence Analysis, DNATick Infestations
1998
Cloning of the Gene Encoding the 44-Kilodalton Antigen of the Agent of Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis and Characterization of the Humoral Response
Ijdo J, Sun W, Zhang Y, Magnarelli L, Fikrig E. Cloning of the Gene Encoding the 44-Kilodalton Antigen of the Agent of Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis and Characterization of the Humoral Response. Infection And Immunity 1998, 66: 3264-3269. PMID: 9632594, PMCID: PMC108341, DOI: 10.1128/iai.66.7.3264-3269.1998.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHuman granulocytic ehrlichiosisGranulocytic ehrlichiosisAgent of HGESera of patientsBorrelia burgdorferi infectionMsp-2 genesElicit specific antibodiesHumoral responseBurgdorferi infectionMurine infectionHealthy individualsPatientsSerumSpecific antibodiesHL-60 cellsInfectionAntibodiesEhrlichia chaffeensisAntigenMiceEhrlichiosisGenomic DNA expression libraryMultigene familyGlutathione transferase fusion proteinFusion protein
1997
Borrelia burgdorferi P35 and P37 Proteins, Expressed In Vivo, Elicit Protective Immunity
Fikrig E, Barthold S, Sun W, Feng W, Telford S, Flavell R. Borrelia burgdorferi P35 and P37 Proteins, Expressed In Vivo, Elicit Protective Immunity. Immunity 1997, 6: 531-539. PMID: 9175831, DOI: 10.1016/s1074-7613(00)80341-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsElicit protective immunityB. burgdorferiIgG titersProtective immunityInfected miceImmune responseHost immunityLyme borreliosisRT-PCR analysisMiceVivo-expressed antigensBorrelia burgdorferi genesImmunityP35BurgdorferiP37 proteinVivoNorthern blotAntiserumP37PatientsAntigenELISATitersBorreliosis
1996
Characterization of two genes, p11 and p5, on the Borrelia burgdorferi 49-kilo base linear plasmid
Feng S, Das S, Barthold S, Fikrig E. Characterization of two genes, p11 and p5, on the Borrelia burgdorferi 49-kilo base linear plasmid. Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta 1996, 1307: 270-272. PMID: 8688460, DOI: 10.1016/0167-4781(96)00076-0.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
1995
A 55-kilodalton antigen encoded by a gene on a Borrelia burgdorferi 49-kilobase plasmid is recognized by antibodies in sera from patients with Lyme disease
Feng S, Das S, Lam T, Flavell RA, Fikrig E. A 55-kilodalton antigen encoded by a gene on a Borrelia burgdorferi 49-kilobase plasmid is recognized by antibodies in sera from patients with Lyme disease. Infection And Immunity 1995, 63: 3459-3466. PMID: 7642278, PMCID: PMC173477, DOI: 10.1128/iai.63.9.3459-3466.1995.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLate-stage Lyme diseaseEarly stage Lyme diseaseLyme diseaseIgM antibodiesSubset of patientsBorrelia burgdorferiLyme disease patientsEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assayRecombinant S1Disease patientsIgG antibodiesPulsed-field gel electrophoresisS1 antigenPatientsAntigenDiseaseSerum samplesImmunosorbent assaySerumAntibodiesB. burgdorferiRabbit antiBurgdorferiCultured spirochetesArthritisThe hook protein of Borrelia burgdorferi, encoded by the flgE gene, is serologically recognized in Lyme disease.
Jwang B, Dewing P, Fikrig E, Flavell RA. The hook protein of Borrelia burgdorferi, encoded by the flgE gene, is serologically recognized in Lyme disease. MSphere 1995, 2: 609-15. PMID: 8548542, PMCID: PMC170207, DOI: 10.1128/cdli.2.5.609-615.1995.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFlgE proteinFlgE geneEscherichia coli expression plasmidPrimary protein sequenceB. burgdorferi N40Hook geneWhole cell lysatesHook proteinLinear chromosomesPeriplasmic flagellaProtein sequencesFlgERecombinant proteinsB. burgdorferiBasal bodiesFlagellar filamentsWestern blot analysisBorrelia burgdorferiGenesExpression plasmidProteinBlot analysisNegative bacteriaMurine antiseraLyme diseaseBorrelia burgdorferi genes selectively expressed in the infected host.
Suk K, Das S, Sun W, Jwang B, Barthold SW, Flavell RA, Fikrig E. Borrelia burgdorferi genes selectively expressed in the infected host. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 1995, 92: 4269-4273. PMID: 7753795, PMCID: PMC41925, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.92.10.4269.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAmino Acid SequenceAnimalsAntibodies, BacterialAntigen-Antibody ReactionsAntigens, BacterialBacterial VaccinesBase SequenceBlotting, NorthernBorrelia burgdorferi GroupDNA PrimersDNA, BacterialGene ExpressionGene Transfer TechniquesGenes, BacterialGenomic LibraryImmunizationMiceMice, Inbred C3HMolecular Sequence DataPolymerase Chain ReactionSequence Homology, Amino AcidConceptsInfected hostRNA PCRDifferential screeningScreening strategyExpression libraryB. burgdorferiSelective expressionNorthern blot analysisBlot analysisMiceBorrelia burgdorferi genesB. burgdorferi genesVivoGene transfer systemMicrobial genesScreening methodPathogenic microorganismsScreeningGenesAntigen
1994
Partial destruction of Borrelia burgdorferi within ticks that engorged on OspE- or OspF-immunized mice
Nguyen TP, Lam TT, Barthold SW, Telford SR, Flavell RA, Fikrig E. Partial destruction of Borrelia burgdorferi within ticks that engorged on OspE- or OspF-immunized mice. Infection And Immunity 1994, 62: 2079-2084. PMID: 8168973, PMCID: PMC186469, DOI: 10.1128/iai.62.5.2079-2084.1994.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEarly-stage disease patientsMajority of patientsLate-stage diseaseSerum of miceLyme disease vaccineB. burgdorferiB. burgdorferi organismsExamination of seraNumber of spirochetesOuter surface protein ESyringe challengeDisease patientsImmune responseDisease vaccinePatientsHigh titersLyme diseaseMiceAntibodiesDiseaseSerumBurgdorferiBorreliaDaysProtein E