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 consequencesSpecific mRNA lipid nanoparticles and acquired resistance to ticks
Matias J, Cui Y, Tang X, Sajid A, Arora G, Wu M, DePonte K, Muramatsu H, Tam Y, Narasimhan S, Pardi N, Weissman D, Fikrig E. Specific mRNA lipid nanoparticles and acquired resistance to ticks. Vaccine 2023, 41: 4996-5002. PMID: 37407406, PMCID: PMC10530371, DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.06.081.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2021
Tick immunity using mRNA, DNA and protein-based Salp14 delivery strategies
Matias J, Kurokawa C, Sajid A, Narasimhan S, Arora G, Diktas H, Lynn GE, DePonte K, Pardi N, Valenzuela JG, Weissman D, Fikrig E. Tick immunity using mRNA, DNA and protein-based Salp14 delivery strategies. Vaccine 2021, 39: 7661-7668. PMID: 34862075, PMCID: PMC8671329, DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.11.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsDNAGuinea PigsIxodesLiposomesNanoparticlesRNA, MessengerSalivary Proteins and PeptidesVaccinesConceptsTick bite siteTick immunityAntigen deliveryBite siteGuinea pigsDevelopment of vaccinesIxodes scapularis ticksProtein immunizationAntibody responseTick biteVaccine platformLipid nanoparticlesMRNA lipid nanoparticlesMRNA-LNPModel antigenTick salivaEarly hallmarkImmunityTick-borne diseasesScapularis ticksTick challengeErythemaSalivary componentsFactor XaDelivery strategiesmRNA vaccination induces tick resistance and prevents transmission of the Lyme disease agent
Sajid A, Matias J, Arora G, Kurokawa C, DePonte K, Tang X, Lynn G, Wu MJ, Pal U, Strank NO, Pardi N, Narasimhan S, Weissman D, Fikrig E. mRNA vaccination induces tick resistance and prevents transmission of the Lyme disease agent. Science Translational Medicine 2021, 13: eabj9827. PMID: 34788080, DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abj9827.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTick-borne infectionsTick-borne infectious diseaseEngorgement weightDisease agentsTicksTick exposureLyme disease agentGuinea pigsTick biteNormal blood mealBlood mealNucleoside-modified mRNALyme diseasePigsLocal rednessMRNA vaccinationMRNA vaccinesBite siteSalivary proteinsPrevents transmissionInfectious diseasesDiseaseVaccineResistanceEffective induction
2020
Naturally Acquired Resistance to Ixodes scapularis Elicits Partial Immunity against Other Tick Vectors in a Laboratory Host
Lynn GE, Diktas H, DePonte K, Fikrig E. Naturally Acquired Resistance to Ixodes scapularis Elicits Partial Immunity against Other Tick Vectors in a Laboratory Host. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2020, 104: 175-183. PMID: 33258439, PMCID: PMC7790098, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0776.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsArachnid VectorsDisease SusceptibilityGuinea PigsIxodesLaboratory Animal ScienceTick InfestationsConceptsTick speciesTick vectorEngorgement weightHost resistanceMultiple tick speciesAnti-tick vaccinesImportant tick speciesImportant tick vectorAbility of ticksTransmission of pathogensTick resistanceTick challengeTick attachmentTick salivaTicksForm of immunityLaboratory hostPrimary speciesEconomic productionGuinea pig modelNorth AmericaSpeciesPartial immunityPathogensHostFractionation of tick saliva reveals proteins associated with the development of acquired resistance to Ixodes scapularis
Černý J, Lynn G, DePonte K, Ledizet M, Narasimhan S, Fikrig E. Fractionation of tick saliva reveals proteins associated with the development of acquired resistance to Ixodes scapularis. Vaccine 2020, 38: 8121-8129. PMID: 33168347, DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.10.087.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTick-borne pathogensTick immunityTick salivaTick vaccinesMultiple tick-borne pathogensIxodes scapularisGuinea pig modelTick salivary antigensTick rejectionTick Ixodes scapularisPig modelTick feedingNortheast USASalivary antigensGlobal medical problemDevelopment of vaccinesTicksMain vectorPathogensSaliva fractionsScapularisMedical problemsImmunityVaccineSalivaRepeat tick exposure elicits distinct immune responses in guinea pigs and mice
Kurokawa C, Narasimhan S, Vidyarthi A, Booth CJ, Mehta S, Meister L, Diktas H, Strank N, Lynn GE, DePonte K, Craft J, Fikrig E. Repeat tick exposure elicits distinct immune responses in guinea pigs and mice. Ticks And Tick-borne Diseases 2020, 11: 101529. PMID: 32993942, PMCID: PMC7530331, DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101529.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGuinea pigsElicit distinct immune responsesDistinct immune responsesGuinea pig modelLocal blood flowImmune animalsInflammatory pathwaysTick rejectionMechanisms of resistanceImmune responseMouse modelVaccine candidatesBite siteBlood flowPig modelCoagulation pathwayComplement activationAcquired ResistanceProtective antigenTick detachmentTick proteinsBlood mealMiceTick infestationRNA sequencingIxodes scapularis saliva components that elicit responses associated with acquired tick-resistance
Narasimhan S, Kurokawa C, Diktas H, Strank NO, Černý J, Murfin K, Cao Y, Lynn G, Trentleman J, Wu MJ, DePonte K, Kantor F, Anguita J, Hovius J, Fikrig E. Ixodes scapularis saliva components that elicit responses associated with acquired tick-resistance. Ticks And Tick-borne Diseases 2020, 11: 101369. PMID: 31924502, PMCID: PMC7382422, DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101369.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTick-borne diseasesSalivary antigensAnti-tick vaccine candidatesIxodes scapularisTick salivary antigensTransmission of pathogensTick infestationTick rejectionTick proteinsViable vaccine targetsTick feedingPathogen transmissionRise worldTicksHost immune responseUrgent public health needScapularisMammalian hostsPathogensPublic health needsVaccine candidatesImmune responseSalivary glycoproteinsFeedingVaccine targeting
2018
Host-specific expression of Ixodes scapularis salivary genes
Narasimhan S, Booth CJ, DePonte K, Wu MJ, Liang X, Mohanty S, Kantor F, Fikrig E. Host-specific expression of Ixodes scapularis salivary genes. Ticks And Tick-borne Diseases 2018, 10: 386-397. PMID: 30545615, DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.12.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVector-host interactionsTick infestationI. scapularisReservoir hostsNon-reservoir hostsHost-specific expressionRodent reservoir hostsInfected ticksPathogen transmissionZoonotic cycleSalivary genesIxodes scapularisTicksNatural hostScapularisInfestationTick biteLyme diseaseBorrelia burgdorferiLarval stagesPathogensHostPeromyscus leucopusStrong immune responseSalivary transcriptome
2007
Immunity against Ixodes scapularis Salivary Proteins Expressed within 24 Hours of Attachment Thwarts Tick Feeding and Impairs Borrelia Transmission
Narasimhan S, DePonte K, Marcantonio N, Liang X, Royce TE, Nelson KF, Booth CJ, Koski B, Anderson JF, Kantor F, Fikrig E. Immunity against Ixodes scapularis Salivary Proteins Expressed within 24 Hours of Attachment Thwarts Tick Feeding and Impairs Borrelia Transmission. PLOS ONE 2007, 2: e451. PMID: 17505544, PMCID: PMC1866177, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000451.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2001
Salp25D, an Ixodes scapularis Antioxidant, Is 1 of 14 Immunodominant Antigens in Engorged Tick Salivary Glands
Das S, Banerjee G, DePonte K, Marcantonio N, Kantor F, Fikrig E. Salp25D, an Ixodes scapularis Antioxidant, Is 1 of 14 Immunodominant Antigens in Engorged Tick Salivary Glands. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2001, 184: 1056-1064. PMID: 11574922, DOI: 10.1086/323351.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAmino Acid SequenceAnimalsAntigensAntioxidantsCattleCloning, MolecularConsensus SequenceEnzyme-Linked Immunosorbent AssayFemaleGene LibraryGlutathione PeroxidaseGuinea PigsHumansImmunoglobulin GInsect ProteinsIxodesMiceMice, Inbred C3HMolecular Sequence DataNematodaRabbitsRNA, MessengerSalivary GlandsSequence Homology, Amino AcidSpecies SpecificityTime Factors
2000
Arthropod- and Host-Specific Borrelia burgdorferi bbk32 Expression and the Inhibition of Spirochete Transmission
Fikrig E, Feng W, Barthold S, Telford S, Flavell R. Arthropod- and Host-Specific Borrelia burgdorferi bbk32 Expression and the Inhibition of Spirochete Transmission. The Journal Of Immunology 2000, 164: 5344-5351. PMID: 10799897, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.164.10.5344.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSpirochete transmissionLyme borreliosisB. burgdorferi infectionB. burgdorferi transmissionMechanisms of immunityIxodes scapularis ticksCutaneous sitesImmunized miceSpirochete numbersBurgdorferi infectionMurine infectionMurine hostMiceInfectionMRNA levelsScapularis ticksB. burgdorferiTick engorgementMurine tissuesVector-borne diseasesBorreliosisAdult ticksAntiserumBBK32Regulated expressionSALP16, 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
Prevention of Borrelia burgdorferi transmission in guinea pigs by tick immunity.
Nazario S, Das S, de Silva AM, Deponte K, Marcantonio N, Anderson JF, Fish D, Fikrig E, Kantor FS. Prevention of Borrelia burgdorferi transmission in guinea pigs by tick immunity. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 1998, 58: 780-5. PMID: 9660463, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.1998.58.780.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGranulocytic Ehrlichiosis in Tick-Immune Guinea Pigs
Das S, Deponte K, Marcantonio N, Ijdo J, Hodzic E, Katavolos P, Barthold S, Telford S, Kantor F, Fikrig E. Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis in Tick-Immune Guinea Pigs. Infection And Immunity 1998, 66: 1803-1805. PMID: 9529119, PMCID: PMC108126, DOI: 10.1128/iai.66.4.1803-1805.1998.Peer-Reviewed Original Research