2021
The Lyme Disease agent co-opts adiponectin receptor-mediated signaling in its arthropod vector
Tang X, Cao Y, Arora G, Hwang J, Sajid A, Brown CL, Mehta S, Marín-López A, Chuang YM, Wu MJ, Ma H, Pal U, Narasimhan S, Fikrig E. The Lyme Disease agent co-opts adiponectin receptor-mediated signaling in its arthropod vector. ELife 2021, 10: e72568. PMID: 34783654, PMCID: PMC8639152, DOI: 10.7554/elife.72568.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsReceptor-mediated signalingAdiponectin receptorsAdiponectinLyme disease agentLyme disease spirochetePhospholipid metabolismPhosphatidylserine synthase ITick gutReceptor-like proteinMammalian homeostasisArthropod vectorsDisease agentsRNAi assaysRNA interferenceAlternative pathwaySynthase IPathwayMetabolic pathwaysTicksInfection
2020
An Ixodes scapularis Protein Disulfide Isomerase Contributes to Borrelia burgdorferi Colonization of the Vector
Cao Y, Rosen C, Arora G, Gupta A, Booth CJ, Murfin KE, Cerny J, Lopez A, Chuang YM, Tang X, Pal U, Ring A, Narasimhan S, Fikrig E. An Ixodes scapularis Protein Disulfide Isomerase Contributes to Borrelia burgdorferi Colonization of the Vector. Infection And Immunity 2020, 88: 10.1128/iai.00426-20. PMID: 32928964, PMCID: PMC7671890, DOI: 10.1128/iai.00426-20.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTick gutTick bite siteVector-host interfaceAbility of spirochetesProtein disulfide isomerase A3Infected vertebrate hostsInflammatory responseBite siteLyme diseaseVertebrate hostsGutTick proteinsAdditional targetsMiceSpirochete life cycleSpirochete survivalArthropod vectorsSpirochetesRNA interferenceIllnessTicks
2018
Visualization of Microbiota in Tick Guts by Whole-mount In Situ Hybridization.
Moss CE, Robson A, Fikrig E, Narasimhan S. Visualization of Microbiota in Tick Guts by Whole-mount In Situ Hybridization. Journal Of Visualized Experiments 2018 PMID: 29912204, PMCID: PMC6101453, DOI: 10.3791/57758.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTick gutComplex microbial communitiesSitu hybridizationSequencing-based methodsTick genesVector microbiotaMicrobial communitiesParticular bacterial speciesRNA transcriptsResident microorganismsTarget RNAInterspecies interactionsBacterial speciesArthropod vectorsResident bacteriaHuman pathogensMicrobiota interactionsPathogen transmissionTick transmissionIxodes scapularis ticksVector-borne diseasesTick feedingPathogensIntact tissueMicrobiota
2017
Modulation of the tick gut milieu by a secreted tick protein favors Borrelia burgdorferi colonization
Narasimhan S, Schuijt TJ, Abraham NM, Rajeevan N, Coumou J, Graham M, Robson A, Wu MJ, Daffre S, Hovius JW, Fikrig E. Modulation of the tick gut milieu by a secreted tick protein favors Borrelia burgdorferi colonization. Nature Communications 2017, 8: 184. PMID: 28775250, PMCID: PMC5543126, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00208-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsB. burgdorferi colonizationTick gutImmune responseRNA interference-mediated silencingGut microbiomeLyme disease agentBorrelia burgdorferiB. burgdorferiGutTick proteinsVivo resultsBurgdorferiPixRAbrogationTick Ixodes scapularisArthropod vectorsDisease agentsGut proteinsIxodes scapularisAlterationsGut genesMicrobiomeTick biologyMiceBacterial biofilm formation
2015
Ixodes scapularis dystroglycan-like protein promotes Borrelia burgdorferi migration from the gut
Coumou J, Narasimhan S, Trentelman JJ, Wagemakers A, Koetsveld J, Ersoz JI, Oei A, Fikrig E, Hovius JW. Ixodes scapularis dystroglycan-like protein promotes Borrelia burgdorferi migration from the gut. Journal Of Molecular Medicine 2015, 94: 361-370. PMID: 26594018, PMCID: PMC4803822, DOI: 10.1007/s00109-015-1365-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsB. burgdorferi transmissionTick gutLyme borreliosisTick feedingMurine modelVaccine targetsUninfected ticksRNA interferenceInfected ticksSalivary glandsBorrelia burgdorferiPotential targetGut tissueB. burgdorferiCausative agentIxodes ticksGutPrevious screeningTick proteinsGut cellsBurgdorferiMiceTicks resultsBorreliosisConfocal microscopy
2013
Characterization of Ixophilin, A Thrombin Inhibitor from the Gut of Ixodes scapularis
Narasimhan S, Perez O, Mootien S, DePonte K, Koski RA, Fikrig E, Ledizet M. Characterization of Ixophilin, A Thrombin Inhibitor from the Gut of Ixodes scapularis. PLOS ONE 2013, 8: e68012. PMID: 23874485, PMCID: PMC3706618, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTick gutBlood mealVertebrate hostsTick gut proteinsPathogen transmissionBorrelia burgdorferi transmissionAnticoagulation strategiesThrombin inhibitory activityHemostatic mechanismThrombin inhibitorsMammalian coagulationIxodes scapularisMammalian hostsTick salivaLyme diseaseKey enzymeGut proteinsBorrelia burgdorferiTick feedingHost bloodHours of feedingGutFunctional suiteTick proteinsHuman pathogens
2011
Ixodes scapularis salivary gland protein P11 facilitates migration of Anaplasma phagocytophilum from the tick gut to salivary glands
Liu L, Narasimhan S, Dai J, Zhang L, Cheng G, Fikrig E. Ixodes scapularis salivary gland protein P11 facilitates migration of Anaplasma phagocytophilum from the tick gut to salivary glands. EMBO Reports 2011, 12: 1196-1203. PMID: 21921936, PMCID: PMC3207102, DOI: 10.1038/embor.2011.177.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMolecular Interactions that Enable Movement of the Lyme Disease Agent from the Tick Gut into the Hemolymph
Zhang L, Zhang Y, Adusumilli S, Liu L, Narasimhan S, Dai J, Zhao YO, Fikrig E. Molecular Interactions that Enable Movement of the Lyme Disease Agent from the Tick Gut into the Hemolymph. PLOS Pathogens 2011, 7: e1002079. PMID: 21695244, PMCID: PMC3111543, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002079.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLyme disease agentB. burgdorferi burdenTick gutOuter surface lipoproteinsTick gut proteinsSalivary gland infectionIxodes scapularis ticksInfection resultsMouse infectionDisease agentsGland infectionLyme diseaseBorrelia burgdorferiScapularis ticksB. burgdorferiCausative agentInfectionBurgdorferiGutGut proteinsSpirochetesTick hemolymphTicksAgentsHemolymph
2007
Role 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 signalsScapularisTicksBorreliosis
2004
OspB Antibody Prevents Borrelia burgdorferi Colonization of Ixodes scapularis
Fikrig E, Pal U, Chen M, Anderson JF, Flavell RA. OspB Antibody Prevents Borrelia burgdorferi Colonization of Ixodes scapularis. Infection And Immunity 2004, 72: 1755-1759. PMID: 14977984, PMCID: PMC356050, DOI: 10.1128/iai.72.3.1755-1759.2004.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOspC facilitates Borrelia burgdorferi invasion of Ixodes scapularis salivary glands
Pal U, Yang X, Chen M, Bockenstedt LK, Anderson JF, Flavell RA, Norgard MV, Fikrig E. OspC facilitates Borrelia burgdorferi invasion of Ixodes scapularis salivary glands. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2004, 113: 220-230. PMID: 14722614, PMCID: PMC311436, DOI: 10.1172/jci19894.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsActinsAnimalsAntigens, BacterialBacterial Outer Membrane ProteinsBorrelia burgdorferiDisease Models, AnimalEnzyme-Linked Immunosorbent AssayGenetic VectorsImmunoglobulin Fab FragmentsIxodesLipoproteinsLyme DiseaseMiceMice, SCIDMicroscopy, ConfocalModels, GeneticPlasmidsRecombinant ProteinsReverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionSalivary GlandsSpirochaetalesTime FactorsUp-RegulationConceptsTick salivary glandsWild-type B. burgdorferiArthropod vectorsWild-type spirochetesTransmission of spirochetesB. burgdorferiMajor surface lipoproteinMammalian hostsGene expressionSalivary glandsOspC geneSurface lipoproteinsSalivary gland colonizationInfectious cloneOuter surface protein CGland colonizationSurface protein CTick gutMutantsOspCUnfed ticksInvasionCritical stepBorrelia burgdorferiSpirochetes
2001
Inhibition of Borrelia burgdorferi-Tick Interactions In Vivo by Outer Surface Protein A Antibody
Pal U, Montgomery R, Lusitani D, Voet P, Weynants V, Malawista S, Lobet Y, Fikrig E. Inhibition of Borrelia burgdorferi-Tick Interactions In Vivo by Outer Surface Protein A Antibody. The Journal Of Immunology 2001, 166: 7398-7403. PMID: 11390491, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.166.12.7398.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAnti-Bacterial AgentsAntibodies, BacterialAntibodies, MonoclonalAntigens, SurfaceBacterial Outer Membrane ProteinsBacterial VaccinesBinding Sites, AntibodyBorrelia burgdorferi GroupDigestive SystemEpitopesFemaleImmune SeraInjections, IntraperitonealInjections, SubcutaneousIxodesLipoproteinsLyme DiseaseLyme Disease VaccinesMiceMice, SCIDMutationProtein Structure, TertiaryRecombinant ProteinsConceptsB. burgdorferi sensu strictoBurgdorferi sensu strictoB. burgdorferi N40Treatment of miceOuter Surface ProteinsB. burgdorferi sensu lato genospeciesSurface protein AOuter surface protein ASCID miceMurine modelB. burgdorferi attachmentLyme diseaseMiceB. burgdorferiBorrelia afzeliiB. afzeliiTick gutBorrelia gariniiOspAVivoAdherenceAntiserumPresent studySurface proteinsGut
1996
Borrelia burgdorferi OspA is an arthropod-specific transmission-blocking Lyme disease vaccine.
de Silva AM, Telford SR, Brunet LR, Barthold SW, Fikrig E. Borrelia burgdorferi OspA is an arthropod-specific transmission-blocking Lyme disease vaccine. Journal Of Experimental Medicine 1996, 183: 271-275. PMID: 8551231, PMCID: PMC2192397, DOI: 10.1084/jem.183.1.271.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAntibodies, BacterialAntigens, BacterialAntigens, SurfaceArachnid VectorsBacterial Outer Membrane ProteinsBacterial VaccinesBorrelia burgdorferi GroupDigestive SystemFluorescent Antibody TechniqueImmunotherapy, AdoptiveIxodesLipoproteinsLyme DiseaseMiceMice, Inbred C3HSalivary GlandsConceptsOspA antibodiesTick attachmentUnfed nymphal ticksLyme disease vaccineB. burgdorferi infectionBlood mealMechanism of protectionTick blood mealSpirochete infectionBurgdorferi infectionDisease vaccineGland invasionExpression of OspAOuter surface proteinsSpirochetal agentLyme diseaseMiceSalivary gland invasionAntibodiesSalivary glandsBorrelia burgdorferiIxodes ticksOspA expressionTick gutVaccine