2024
Anopheles gambiae lacking AgTRIO probe inefficiently on a mammalian host
Chuang Y, Dong Y, Stone H, Abouneameh S, Tang X, Raduwan H, Dimopoulos G, Fikrig E. Anopheles gambiae lacking AgTRIO probe inefficiently on a mammalian host. Cell Reports 2024, 43: 114600. PMID: 39126653, PMCID: PMC11407849, DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114600.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchVertebrate hostsAnopheles gambiaePlasmodium sporozoitesCRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editingPlasmodium transmissionTransmit malariaMosquito probingMosquito salivaTransmit PlasmodiumBlood resourcesMalariaRepetitive probesBloodPlasmodiumMammalian hostsAbility of mosquitoesBlood mealGenome editingA. gambiaeKnockoutVertebratesGambiaHostMealSaliva
2023
Signaling between mammalian adiponectin and a mosquito adiponectin receptor reduces Plasmodium transmission
Chuang Y, Stone H, Abouneameh S, Tang X, Fikrig E. Signaling between mammalian adiponectin and a mosquito adiponectin receptor reduces Plasmodium transmission. MBio 2023, 15: e02257-23. PMID: 38078744, PMCID: PMC10790699, DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02257-23.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBlood mealComplex life cycleMosquito fitnessMammalian hostsMammalian adiponectinPathogen infectivityLipid transportersVertebrate hostsAdiponectin receptorsHematophagous arthropodsFemale mosquitoesPlasmodium transmissionLife cycleMosquitoesImportant lipid transporterPathwayHostInfectious agentsVector-borne infectious agentsArthropodsAdiponectinReceptorsInfectionTransportersMealDome1–JAK–STAT signaling between parasite and host integrates vector immunity and development
Rana V, Kitsou C, Dutta S, Ronzetti M, Zhang M, Bernard Q, Smith A, Tomás-Cortázar J, Yang X, Wu M, Kepple O, Li W, Dwyer J, Matias J, Baljinnyam B, Oliver J, Rajeevan N, Pedra J, Narasimhan S, Wang Y, Munderloh U, Fikrig E, Simeonov A, Anguita J, Pal U. Dome1–JAK–STAT signaling between parasite and host integrates vector immunity and development. Science 2023, 379: eabl3837. PMID: 36634189, PMCID: PMC10122270, DOI: 10.1126/science.abl3837.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBlood meal acquisitionMetazoan developmentTick receptorArthropod immunityMammalian hostsSignaling pathwaysReceptor motifEvolutionary dependenceVectorial competenceStem cellsCommunication pathwaysPathwayCritical roleVector immunityHostHigh affinityGenomeAntimicrobial componentsHedgehogJAKMotifMetamorphosisImmunityParasitesPhysiology
2021
Aedes aegypti SNAP and a calcium transporter ATPase influence dengue virus dissemination
Marin-Lopez A, Jiang J, Wang Y, Cao Y, MacNeil T, Hastings AK, Fikrig E. Aedes aegypti SNAP and a calcium transporter ATPase influence dengue virus dissemination. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021, 15: e0009442. PMID: 34115766, PMCID: PMC8195420, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009442.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSalivary gland proteinsSuccessful viral transmissionNew mammalian hostDengue virusWild habitatsHabitat expansionGland proteinsA. aegypti vectorMammalian hostsUbiquitous expressionDENV infectionGene expressionMosquito midgutProtein componentsATPase proteinVector proteinProteinSalivary glandsBlood mealViral cycleAedes aegypti mosquitoesSusceptible hostsAedes aegyptiMosquitoesHost
2020
Acquired tick resistance: The trail is hot
Narasimhan S, Kurokawa C, DeBlasio M, Matias J, Sajid A, Pal U, Lynn G, Fikrig E. Acquired tick resistance: The trail is hot. Parasite Immunology 2020, 43: e12808. PMID: 33187012, PMCID: PMC8058238, DOI: 10.1111/pim.12808.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsInteractions Between Ticks and Lyme Disease Spirochetes.
Pal U, Kitsou C, Drecktrah D, Yaş ÖB, Fikrig E. Interactions Between Ticks and Lyme Disease Spirochetes. Current Issues In Molecular Biology 2020, 42: 113-144. PMID: 33289683, PMCID: PMC8045411, DOI: 10.21775/cimb.042.113.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsComplex enzootic life cycleEnzootic life cycleMammalian reservoir hostsMolecular interactionsLife cycleDiscrete molecular interactionsVariety of animalsRelated ticksVertebrate hostsLyme disease spirocheteArthropod vectorsSensu latoPathogen persistenceWild rodentsBacterial pathogensReservoir hostsCritical roleTick-transmitted infectionsMain vectorNortheastern United StatesPast discoveriesHostTicksArthropodsSpirochetesNaturally 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 ResearchConceptsTick 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 immunityPathogensHost
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 transcriptomeA mosquito salivary gland protein partially inhibits Plasmodium sporozoite cell traversal and transmission
Schleicher TR, Yang J, Freudzon M, Rembisz A, Craft S, Hamilton M, Graham M, Mlambo G, Tripathi AK, Li Y, Cresswell P, Sinnis P, Dimopoulos G, Fikrig E. A mosquito salivary gland protein partially inhibits Plasmodium sporozoite cell traversal and transmission. Nature Communications 2018, 9: 2908. PMID: 30046053, PMCID: PMC6060088, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05374-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSalivary gland proteinsCell traversal activityMosquito salivary gland proteinsMosquito salivaGland proteinsCell traversalInfected Anopheles mosquitoesThiol reductaseSporozoite movementVector proteinProteinPlasmodium parasitesAnopheles mosquitoesInitial infectionParasitesHost dermisVector salivaMass spectrometrySporozoitesSalivaMalariaLiverReductaseKey stepHost
2017
Chapter 14 Translation of Saliva Proteins Into Tools to Prevent Vector-Borne Disease Transmission
Narasimhan S, Schleicher T, Fikrig E. Chapter 14 Translation of Saliva Proteins Into Tools to Prevent Vector-Borne Disease Transmission. 2017, 249-300. DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-805360-7.00014-9.ChaptersPathogen transmissionArthropod vectorsVector-pathogen interactionsBlood mealVector salivaVector-Borne Disease TransmissionTransmit pathogensMolecular understandingHematophagous arthropodsHost immune responseMicrobesArthropodsImmune responseSalivary proteinsPathogensHostArthropod salivaMicroorganism transmission
2014
Role of the Vector in Arbovirus Transmission
Conway MJ, Colpitts TM, Fikrig E. Role of the Vector in Arbovirus Transmission. Annual Review Of Virology 2014, 1: 71-88. PMID: 26958715, PMCID: PMC7809425, DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-031413-085513.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDisease vectorsDominant lethal geneArbovirus transmissionTransmission of arbovirusesLethal genesMolecular detailsTransgenic mosquitoesHost-seeking behaviorMosquito populationsArboviral diseasesGenomicsProteomicsPrevalence of diseaseNovel strategyGenesArbovirusesMicrobesImmunological controlGrowthVectorDiseaseSignificant diseasePathogensHostRole
2008
A Differential Role for BB0365 in the Persistence of Borrelia burgdorferi in Mice and Ticks
Pal U, Dai J, Li X, Neelakanta G, Luo P, Kumar M, Wang P, Yang X, Anderson JF, Fikrig E. A Differential Role for BB0365 in the Persistence of Borrelia burgdorferi in Mice and Ticks. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2008, 197: 148-155. PMID: 18171298, DOI: 10.1086/523764.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVertebrate hostsWild-type B. burgdorferiArthropod vectorsB. burgdorferi persistenceB. burgdorferi transcriptomeDiverse murine tissuesSpirochete life cycleLife cycleB. burgdorferi B31Lyme disease agentGene productsMurine tissuesGenesWild rodentsDisease agentsDifferential rolesFeeding ticksB. burgdorferiInfectious isolatesHostBorrelia burgdorferiTicksTranscriptomePersistence of BorreliaMutants
2007
Tick–host–pathogen interactions in Lyme borreliosis
Hovius JW, van Dam AP, Fikrig E. Tick–host–pathogen interactions in Lyme borreliosis. Trends In Parasitology 2007, 23: 434-438. PMID: 17656156, DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2007.07.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVertebrate hostsB. burgdorferi survivalB. burgdorferi genesEnzootic life cycleSpirochete survivalGene productsB. burgdorferiArthropod vectorsGenesVector moleculesLife cycleDifferent environmentsHostBorrelia burgdorferiIxodes ticksTROSPATicksSpirochetal agentBurgdorferiLyme borreliosisMicrobesSalp15ExpressionSurvivalA Tick Antioxidant Facilitates the Lyme Disease Agent's Successful Migration from the Mammalian Host to the Arthropod Vector
Narasimhan S, Sukumaran B, Bozdogan U, Thomas V, Liang X, DePonte K, Marcantonio N, Koski RA, Anderson JF, Kantor F, Fikrig E. A Tick Antioxidant Facilitates the Lyme Disease Agent's Successful Migration from the Mammalian Host to the Arthropod Vector. Cell Host & Microbe 2007, 2: 7-18. PMID: 18005713, PMCID: PMC2699493, DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2007.06.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMammalian hostsComplex feeding sitesLyme disease agent Borrelia burgdorferiSuccessful migrationMammalian responseTick Ixodes scapularisTick salivary glandsReactive oxygen speciesFeeding sitesArthropod vectorsTick proteinsBurgdorferi-infected miceOxygen speciesEfficient vectorCritical roleSpirochete acquisitionIxodes scapularisB. burgdorferiPathogensHostBorrelia burgdorferiI. scapularisInflammatory cellsImmune cellsSurvival advantage
2003
Adaptation of Borrelia burgdorferi in the tick and the mammalian host
Anguita J, Hedrick MN, Fikrig E. Adaptation of Borrelia burgdorferi in the tick and the mammalian host. FEMS Microbiology Reviews 2003, 27: 493-504. PMID: 14550942, DOI: 10.1016/s0168-6445(03)00036-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMammalian hostsGene expressionRegulation of genesAdaptation of BorreliaGene productsDifferent environmentsArthropod vectorsEnzootic cycleCurrent knowledgeLife cycleHostExpressionCausative agentB. burgdorferiBorrelia burgdorferiGenesSpirochetesTicksBurgdorferiMicroorganismsGreater abilityRegulationLyme diseaseThorough understandingFunctionAdaptation of Borrelia burgdorferi in the vector and vertebrate host
Pal U, Fikrig E. Adaptation of Borrelia burgdorferi in the vector and vertebrate host. Microbes And Infection 2003, 5: 659-666. PMID: 12787742, DOI: 10.1016/s1286-4579(03)00097-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsComplex enzootic cycleUnique adaptive featuresDifferent host environmentsAdaptation of BorreliaMolecular adaptationsRegulatory mechanismsB. burgdorferiHost environmentSensu latoEnzootic cycleExtracellular pathogensDomestic animalsAdaptive featuresBorrelia burgdorferi sensu latoHostBurgdorferi sensu latoCausative agentDiverse rangeArthropodsAdaptationLatoBurgdorferiPathogensLyme diseaseBorrelia
2002
Molecular Adaptation of Borrelia burgdorferi in the Murine Host
Liang FT, Nelson FK, Fikrig E. Molecular Adaptation of Borrelia burgdorferi in the Murine Host. Journal Of Experimental Medicine 2002, 196: 275-280. PMID: 12119353, PMCID: PMC2193918, DOI: 10.1084/jem.20020770.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLipoprotein geneMolecular adaptationsHost immune selection pressureAnalysis of expressionNovel adaptation mechanismSteps of adaptationSelection pressureLyme disease spirocheteB. burgdorferiMurine hostGenesHost tissuesImmune selection pressureAdaptation mechanismsChronic infectionMurine infectionCritical stepHostBorrelia burgdorferiInfectionAdaptationSpirochetesBurgdorferiInitial inoculumPathogensSalp15, 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