2022
Immunization of guinea pigs with cement extract induces resistance against Ixodes scapularis ticks
Lynn GE, Černý J, Kurokawa C, Diktaş H, Matias J, Sajid A, Arora G, DePonte K, Narasimhan S, Fikrig E. Immunization of guinea pigs with cement extract induces resistance against Ixodes scapularis ticks. Ticks And Tick-borne Diseases 2022, 13: 102017. PMID: 35963188, DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102017.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTick salivaAnti-tick vaccinesTick-host interfaceSpecific protective antigensTick engorgement weightIxodes scapularis ticksTick speciesTick feedingEngorgement weightFeeding ticksHost resistanceTickborne pathogensDisease agentsAnimal hostsIxodes scapularisFemale I. scapularisI. scapularisScapularis ticksTicksImportant vectorTick detachmentPrimary vectorMidgut extractsProtective antigenHematophagous parasites
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 ResearchConceptsTick 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 strategies
2014
Gut Microbiota of the Tick Vector Ixodes scapularis Modulate Colonization of the Lyme Disease Spirochete
Narasimhan S, Rajeevan N, Liu L, Zhao YO, Heisig J, Pan J, Eppler-Epstein R, DePonte K, Fish D, Fikrig E. Gut Microbiota of the Tick Vector Ixodes scapularis Modulate Colonization of the Lyme Disease Spirochete. Cell Host & Microbe 2014, 15: 58-71. PMID: 24439898, PMCID: PMC3905459, DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2013.12.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPeritrophic matrixTranscription factor signal transducerPathogen colonizationLyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferiActivator of transcriptionGut microbiotaArthropod gutsSignal transducerLyme disease spirocheteFunctional linkArthropod vectorsMajor vectorKey glycoproteinsHuman pathogensSpirochete Borrelia burgdorferiGut epitheliumIxodes scapularis ticksColonizationGut epithelial barrierMicrobiotaExpressionGut lumenScapularis ticksBorrelia burgdorferiEpithelial barrier