2019
Borrelia miyamotoi infection leads to cross-reactive antibodies to the C6 peptide in mice and men
Koetsveld J, Platonov A, Kuleshov K, Wagemakers A, Hoornstra D, Ang W, Szekeres S, van Duijvendijk G, Fikrig E, Embers M, Sprong H, Hovius J. Borrelia miyamotoi infection leads to cross-reactive antibodies to the C6 peptide in mice and men. Clinical Microbiology And Infection 2019, 26: 513.e1-513.e6. PMID: 31404672, DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2019.07.026.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCross-reactive antibodiesC6 peptideEnzyme immunoassayLyme borreliosisBorrelia miyamotoi infectionBMD patientsExperimental murine infectionC6 enzyme immunoassayAvailable immunoblotNegative immunoblotMiyamotoi infectionTick bitePatient seraMurine infectionPatientsReactivity testingInfectionVlsE proteinBorrelia miyamotoiBorrelia burgdorferiMice
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
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
The lipoprotein La7 contributes to Borrelia burgdorferi persistence in ticks and their transmission to naïve hosts
Yang X, Hegde S, Shroder DY, Smith AA, Promnares K, Neelakanta G, Anderson JF, Fikrig E, Pal U. The lipoprotein La7 contributes to Borrelia burgdorferi persistence in ticks and their transmission to naïve hosts. Microbes And Infection 2013, 15: 729-737. PMID: 23774694, PMCID: PMC3769513, DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2013.06.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsComplex enzootic cycleInner membrane proteinB. burgdorferi persistenceProtein-protein interactionsOuter membrane lipoproteinNaïve hostsSpirochete life cycleCo-immunoprecipitation studiesMammalian infectivityMembrane proteinsRedundant rolesMolecular detailsMammalian hostsMembrane lipoproteinGene expressionWild typeInfection cycleLiquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysisPathogen survivalBiological significanceHost transmissionEnzootic cyclePathogen transmissionSpectrometry analysisLA7
2012
Anaplasma phagocytophilum Outer Membrane Protein A Interacts with Sialylated Glycoproteins To Promote Infection of Mammalian Host Cells
Ojogun N, Kahlon A, Ragland SA, Troese MJ, Mastronunzio JE, Walker NJ, VieBrock L, Thomas RJ, Borjesson DL, Fikrig E, Carlyon JA. Anaplasma phagocytophilum Outer Membrane Protein A Interacts with Sialylated Glycoproteins To Promote Infection of Mammalian Host Cells. Infection And Immunity 2012, 80: 3748-3760. PMID: 22907813, PMCID: PMC3486060, DOI: 10.1128/iai.00654-12.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMammalian host cellsHuman granulocytic anaplasmosisHost cellsHL-60 cellsA. phagocytophilum organismsExtracellular domainP-selectin glycoprotein-1Outer Membrane Protein ASialylated glycoproteinsA. phagocytophilum infectionA. phagocytophilum-infected ticksN-terminal regionMembrane protein AObligate intracellular bacteriumAmino acids 19HGA patientsPhagocytophilum infectionInfectionTransmission feedingGlutathione S-transferaseGranulocytic anaplasmosisIntracellular bacteriumGlycoprotein 1Anaplasma phagocytophilumA. phagocytophilum
2011
A Tick Mannose-Binding Lectin Inhibitor Interferes with the Vertebrate Complement Cascade to Enhance Transmission of the Lyme Disease Agent
Schuijt TJ, Coumou J, Narasimhan S, Dai J, DePonte K, Wouters D, Brouwer M, Oei A, Roelofs JJ, van Dam AP, van der Poll T, Veer C, Hovius JW, Fikrig E. A Tick Mannose-Binding Lectin Inhibitor Interferes with the Vertebrate Complement Cascade to Enhance Transmission of the Lyme Disease Agent. Cell Host & Microbe 2011, 10: 136-146. PMID: 21843870, PMCID: PMC3170916, DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2011.06.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAmino Acid SequenceAnimalsBorrelia burgdorferiCell Migration AssaysCloning, MolecularComplement Membrane Attack ComplexComplement Pathway, Mannose-Binding LectinFemaleGene SilencingHemolysisHumansImmunization, PassiveImmunotherapy, ActiveInsect ProteinsIxodesLarvaLyme DiseaseMiceMice, Inbred C3HMolecular Sequence DataNeutrophilsNymphPhagocytosisRabbitsRecombinant ProteinsSalivaSalivary Proteins and PeptidesSequence AlignmentConceptsComplement cascadeLyme disease agent Borrelia burgdorferiImpaired neutrophil phagocytosisTick salivary proteinsVector-borne pathogensLyme disease agentMammalian infectionVector colonizationVertebrate hostsTick midgutAlternative complement pathwayBorrelia transmissionComplement-mediated killingVector proteinNeutrophil phagocytosisEssential rolePathway inhibitorComplement pathwayDisease agentsSalivary proteinsBorrelia burgdorferiLectin inhibitorsProteinCascadeIxodes ticks
2010
Tick Histamine Release Factor Is Critical for Ixodes scapularis Engorgement and Transmission of the Lyme Disease Agent
Dai J, Narasimhan S, Zhang L, Liu L, Wang P, Fikrig E. Tick Histamine Release Factor Is Critical for Ixodes scapularis Engorgement and Transmission of the Lyme Disease Agent. PLOS Pathogens 2010, 6: e1001205. PMID: 21124826, PMCID: PMC2991271, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1001205.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsBiomarkers, TumorBlotting, WesternBorrelia burgdorferiFeeding BehaviorFemaleHistamineHumansImmunizationIxodesLyme DiseaseMiceMice, Inbred C3HReverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionRNA, MessengerRNA, Small InterferingSalivaTick InfestationsTumor Protein, Translationally-Controlled 1ConceptsTick-borne pathogensB. burgdorferi transmissionTick engorgementB. burgdorferi burdenHistamine-releasing factorRapid feeding phaseBurgdorferi-infected ticksAnimal healthTick feedingTick salivaDiverse infectious agentsDisease agentsTicksIxodes scapularisLyme disease agentRNA interferenceFeeding phaseVaccine potentialQuantitative reverse transcription PCRReverse transcription-PCRHistamine releaseEffective vaccineVascular permeabilityBlood flowInfectious agentsA Paradoxical Role for Neutrophils in the Pathogenesis of West Nile Virus
Bai F, Kong KF, Dai J, Qian F, Zhang L, Brown CR, Fikrig E, Montgometry R. A Paradoxical Role for Neutrophils in the Pathogenesis of West Nile Virus. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2010, 202: 1804-1812. PMID: 21050124, PMCID: PMC3053000, DOI: 10.1086/657416.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWest Nile virusPolymorphonuclear leukocytesWNV infectionNile virusHigh viremiaViral clearanceEarly deathEarly infectionControl groupProtective roleBiphasic responseInnate immunityViral pathogenesisInfectionMiceViremiaPathogenesisParadoxical roleEfficient replicationVirusCXCL1CXCL2ChemokinesCXCR2Neutrophils
2009
Antibodies against a Tick Protein, Salp15, Protect Mice from the Lyme Disease Agent
Dai J, Wang P, Adusumilli S, Booth CJ, Narasimhan S, Anguita J, Fikrig E. Antibodies against a Tick Protein, Salp15, Protect Mice from the Lyme Disease Agent. Cell Host & Microbe 2009, 6: 482-492. PMID: 19917502, PMCID: PMC2843562, DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2009.10.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsArthropod-borne pathogensTick-borne BorreliaTick salivary proteinsTick proteinsB. burgdorferiLyme diseaseDisease agentsTick-borne illnessB. burgdorferi infectionLyme disease agentHuman vaccinesSalp15Infection of miceB. burgdorferi antigensMicrobial toxinsMammalian hostsBorrelia burgdorferiPathogensMechanism of actionBurgdorferi infectionProtect miceMedical importanceBurgdorferiProtective capacityMicePassage through Ixodes scapularis Ticks Enhances the Virulence of a Weakly Pathogenic Isolate of Borrelia burgdorferi
Adusumilli S, Booth CJ, Anguita J, Fikrig E. Passage through Ixodes scapularis Ticks Enhances the Virulence of a Weakly Pathogenic Isolate of Borrelia burgdorferi. Infection And Immunity 2009, 78: 138-144. PMID: 19822652, PMCID: PMC2798202, DOI: 10.1128/iai.00470-09.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsArachnid VectorsBorrelia burgdorferiIxodesLyme DiseaseMiceMice, Inbred C3HNymphVirulenceConceptsIxodes scapularis ticksCommon tick-borne illnessScapularis ticksTick-borne illnessB. burgdorferi sensu strictoC3H miceBurgdorferi sensu strictoLyme diseaseMiceHigh expression levelsBorrelia burgdorferiB. burgdorferiTick engorgementExpression levelsSpirochetesDiseaseArray analysisSyringe inoculationBurgdorferiPathogenic isolatesIsolatesI. scapularisArthritisVirulencePathogenesis
2008
Preferential Protection of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Stricto by a Salp 15 Homologue in Ixodes ricinus Saliva
Hovius JW, Schuijt TJ, de Groot KA, Roelofs JJ, Oei GA, Marquart JA, de Beer R, Veer C, van der Poll T, Ramamoorthi N, Fikrig E, van Dam AP. Preferential Protection of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Stricto by a Salp 15 Homologue in Ixodes ricinus Saliva. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2008, 198: 1189-1197. PMID: 18752445, PMCID: PMC4317250, DOI: 10.1086/591917.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntibody-mediated killingB. burgdorferiB. afzeliiB. gariniiEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assaySole causative agentBorrelia burgdorferi sensu latoBorrelia speciesSevere carditisOuter surface protein CImmune miceControl miceBorrelia burgdorferi sensu strictoBurgdorferi sensu latoSurface protein CSurvival advantageBurgdorferi sensu strictoSolid-phase overlayLyme borreliosisImmunosorbent assayProtein CCausative agentIxodes ticksBurgdorferiMice
2007
Borrelia burgdorferi basic membrane proteins A and B participate in the genesis of Lyme arthritis
Pal U, Wang P, Bao F, Yang X, Samanta S, Schoen R, Wormser GP, Schwartz I, Fikrig E. Borrelia burgdorferi basic membrane proteins A and B participate in the genesis of Lyme arthritis. Journal Of Experimental Medicine 2007, 205: 133-141. PMID: 18166585, PMCID: PMC2234379, DOI: 10.1084/jem.20070962.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLyme arthritisMouse jointsB. burgdorferi antigensBurgdorferi-infected miceSevere arthritisSpirochete numbersArthritisHost responseLyme diseaseAffinity-purified antibodiesBorrelia burgdorferiChain reactionMiceOriginal phenotypeBasic membrane proteinMutant spirochetesGene expressionJointsInflammationPathogenesisAntigenDiseaseB. burgdorferi gene expressionAntibodies Targeting Linear Determinants of the Envelope Protein Protect Mice against West Nile Virus
Ledizet M, Kar K, Foellmer HG, Bonafé N, Anthony KG, Gould LH, Bushmich SL, Fikrig E, Koski RA. Antibodies Targeting Linear Determinants of the Envelope Protein Protect Mice against West Nile Virus. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2007, 196: 1741-1748. PMID: 18190253, DOI: 10.1086/523654.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAmino Acid SequenceAnimalsAntibodies, ViralAntibody AffinityChlorocebus aethiopsDrosophilaEpitopesFemaleFluorescent Antibody TechniqueHorsesImmunization, PassiveImmunoglobulinsMiceMice, Inbred C3HMolecular Sequence DataPeptide FragmentsVero CellsViral Envelope ProteinsWest Nile FeverWest Nile virusConceptsE proteinMultiple flavivirus infectionsVirus-neutralizing antibodiesE protein epitopesFlavivirus envelope proteinProtect miceWest Nile virusFlavivirus infectionLethal challengeProtective antibodiesWest Nile virus E proteinProtective epitopesVirus E proteinRelated flavivirusesImmunoglobulinAntibodiesNile virusLinear determinantsEpitopesEnvelope proteinProtein epitopesMiceHost cell membraneWNVPeptidesRole of Outer Surface Protein D in the Borrelia burgdorferi Life Cycle
Li X, Neelakanta G, Liu X, Beck DS, Kantor FS, Fish D, Anderson JF, Fikrig E. Role of Outer Surface Protein D in the Borrelia burgdorferi Life Cycle. Infection And Immunity 2007, 75: 4237-4244. PMID: 17620358, PMCID: PMC1951184, DOI: 10.1128/iai.00632-07.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsB. burgdorferiSecond blood mealMurine modelSpirochete transmissionB. burgdorferi persistenceLyme borreliosisMiceB. burgdorferi strainsProtein DI. scapularisTick gutBlood mealBurgdorferi strainsSpirochete life cycleBurgdorferiGut extractsIxodes scapularisB. burgdorferi infectivityThreefold decreaseHost-specific signalsScapularisTicksBorreliosisA West Nile Virus Recombinant Protein Vaccine That Coactivates Innate and Adaptive Immunity
Huleatt J, Foellmer H, Hewitt D, Tang J, Desai P, Price A, Jacobs A, Takahashi V, Huang Y, Nakaar V, Alexopoulou L, Fikrig E, Powell T, McDonald W. A West Nile Virus Recombinant Protein Vaccine That Coactivates Innate and Adaptive Immunity. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2007, 195: 1607-1617. PMID: 17471430, DOI: 10.1086/517613.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsImmune responseAntibody responseImmunoglobulin G antibody responseC3H/HeN miceWest Nile virus vaccineAdaptive immune signalsTLR5-deficient miceAntigen-specific responsesG antibody responseProtective immune responseAdaptive immune responsesToll-like receptorsWNV envelope proteinLethal WNV challengeRecombinant protein vaccineInterleukin-8 productionNeutralized viral infectivityEnzyme-linked immunosorbentEffective WNV vaccinesWNV vaccineHeN miceVirus challengeProtein vaccineVirus vaccineWNV challengeOuter Surface Protein B Is Critical for Borrelia burgdorferi Adherence and Survival within Ixodes Ticks
Neelakanta G, Li X, Pal U, Liu X, Beck DS, DePonte K, Fish D, Kantor FS, Fikrig E. Outer Surface Protein B Is Critical for Borrelia burgdorferi Adherence and Survival within Ixodes Ticks. PLOS Pathogens 2007, 3: e33. PMID: 17352535, PMCID: PMC1817655, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.0030033.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2006
Coinfection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto and Borrelia garinii alters the course of murine Lyme borreliosis
Hovius JW, Li X, Ramamoorthi N, Van Dam AP, Barthold SW, Van Der Poll T, Speelman P, Fikrig E. Coinfection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto and Borrelia garinii alters the course of murine Lyme borreliosis. Pathogens And Disease 2006, 49: 224-234. PMID: 17328756, DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2006.00177.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMurine Lyme borreliosisB. burgdorferi sensu strictoBurgdorferi sensu strictoLyme borreliosisBorrelia burgdorferi sensu strictoEffect of coinfectionCoinfected miceBorrelia speciesSimultaneous infectionMiceCoinfectionBorreliosisB. gariniiBorrelia gariniiReservoir hostsGariniiI. ricinus populationsSpirochetesHigher numberArthritisPreferential maintenanceInfectionPrevalenceSpirochetemiaDisruption of the salivary protein 14 in Ixodes scapularis nymphs and impact on pathogen acquisition.
PEDRA JH, Narasimhan S, Deponte K, Marcantonio N, KANTOR FS, Fikrig E. Disruption of the salivary protein 14 in Ixodes scapularis nymphs and impact on pathogen acquisition. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2006, 75: 677-82. PMID: 17038693, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2006.75.677.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsScapularis nymphsProtein 14Adult Ixodes scapularisIxodes scapularis nymphsI. scapularisBorrelia burgdorferiTick feedingI. scapularis nymphsB. burgdorferiFamily expressionEngorgement weightTick weightPhysiological rolePathogen acquisitionBurgdorferiIxodes scapularisRNA interferenceExpressionDifferent mechanismsFeedingScapularisBorrelia burgdorferi Lacking BBK32, a Fibronectin-Binding Protein, Retains Full Pathogenicity
Li X, Liu X, Beck DS, Kantor FS, Fikrig E. Borrelia burgdorferi Lacking BBK32, a Fibronectin-Binding Protein, Retains Full Pathogenicity. Infection And Immunity 2006, 74: 3305-3313. PMID: 16714558, PMCID: PMC1479267, DOI: 10.1128/iai.02035-05.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdhesins, BacterialAnimalsBacterial AdhesionBacterial ProteinsBorrelia burgdorferiLyme DiseaseMiceMice, Inbred C3HRabbitsTicksConceptsB. burgdorferiFlat ticksB. burgdorferi proteinsTick biteSpirochete acquisitionLyme disease spirocheteAdverse effectsBorrelia burgdorferiFibronectin-binding proteinBurgdorferiFibronectin binding proteinMiceSpirochete life cycleLyme pathogenesisB. burgdorferi B31Mammalian hostsSyringe inoculationExpression profilesBBK32Surface lipoproteinsFibronectin bindingPathogenesisExpressionInfectionTemporal expression profilesAn 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