2023
Adiponectin in the mammalian host influences ticks’ acquisition of the Lyme disease pathogen Borrelia
Tang X, Cao Y, Booth C, Arora G, Cui Y, Matias J, Fikrig E. Adiponectin in the mammalian host influences ticks’ acquisition of the Lyme disease pathogen Borrelia. PLOS Biology 2023, 21: e3002331. PMID: 37862360, PMCID: PMC10619873, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002331.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAdipocyte-derived hormoneBite siteAdiponectin-deficient miceInfiltration of neutrophilsTick bite sitePro-inflammatory responseWild-type animalsIxodes scapularis ticksIL-1βVascular leakageHistamine releaseTick biteAdiponectinInfectious diseasesLyme disease agentBlood feeding arthropodsBorrelia burgdorferiScapularis ticksAnimal infectious diseasesBlood feedingB. burgdorferi survivalHuman bloodHormonePathogen acquisitionMammalian hosts
2020
CXCL10 Signaling Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Arthritogenic Alphaviruses
Lin T, Geng T, Harrison AG, Yang D, Vella AT, Fikrig E, Wang P. CXCL10 Signaling Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Arthritogenic Alphaviruses. Viruses 2020, 12: 1252. PMID: 33147869, PMCID: PMC7692144, DOI: 10.3390/v12111252.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChikungunya virusAlphaviral arthritisArthritogenic alphavirusesLargest immune cell populationMacrophages/T cellsImmune cell populationsInflammatory immune responseLow viral loadWild-type miceO'nyong-nyong virusWild-type animalsRheumatic manifestationsImmune infiltratesViral loadT cellsImmune responseAlphaviral diseaseArthritic diseasesTherapeutic targetCXCL10PathogenesisViral RNACell populationsArthritisFootpad
2014
Antivirulence Properties of an Antifreeze Protein
Heisig M, Abraham NM, Liu L, Neelakanta G, Mattessich S, Sultana H, Shang Z, Ansari JM, Killiam C, Walker W, Cooley L, Flavell RA, Agaisse H, Fikrig E. Antivirulence Properties of an Antifreeze Protein. Cell Reports 2014, 9: 417-424. PMID: 25373896, PMCID: PMC4223805, DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.09.034.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntifreeze proteinsDiverse bacteriaProtein bindsWild-type animalsBiofilm formationAntivirulence agentsIAFGPMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureusHost controlProteinAntifreeze glycoproteinsIxodes scapularisAntivirulence propertiesBacteriaSeptic shockTherapeutic strategiesBacterial infectionsInfectious diseasesMicrobesStaphylococcus aureusFliesBindsInfectionCatheter tubingPathogens
2009
Toll-Like Receptors 1 and 2 Heterodimers Alter Borrelia burgdorferi Gene Expression in Mice and Ticks
Fikrig E, Narasimhan S, Neelakanta G, Pal U, Chen M, Flavell R. Toll-Like Receptors 1 and 2 Heterodimers Alter Borrelia burgdorferi Gene Expression in Mice and Ticks. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2009, 200: 1331-1340. PMID: 19754309, PMCID: PMC2846271, DOI: 10.1086/605950.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGene expressionMicroarray analysisB. burgdorferi gene expressionQuantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysisToll-like receptor 1Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysisReceptor 1Expression profilesWild-type animalsHost TLRsArthropod vectorsMessenger RNA levelsPolymerase chain reaction analysisChain reaction analysisB. burgdorferi-infected ticksGenesBurgdorferi-infected ticksRNA levelsExpressionMurine hostBorrelia burgdorferiReaction analysisWild-type miceAnimalsHeterodimers