2012
Impaired Toll-Like Receptor 3-Mediated Immune Responses from Macrophages of Patients Chronically Infected with Hepatitis C Virus
Qian F, Bolen CR, Jing C, Wang X, Zheng W, Zhao H, Fikrig E, Bruce RD, Kleinstein SH, Montgomery RR. Impaired Toll-Like Receptor 3-Mediated Immune Responses from Macrophages of Patients Chronically Infected with Hepatitis C Virus. MSphere 2012, 20: 146-155. PMID: 23220997, PMCID: PMC3571267, DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00530-12.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultFemaleGene ExpressionGenotypeHepacivirusHepatitis C, ChronicHumansInflammationInterferon-betaInterferonsInterleukinsLeukocytes, MononuclearMacrophagesMalePhosphorylationPolymorphism, Single NucleotideSignal TransductionSTAT1 Transcription FactorToll-Like Receptor 3Tumor Necrosis Factor-alphaViral LoadConceptsToll-like receptor 3Peripheral blood mononuclear cellsHepatitis C virusImmune responseHCV patientsC virusExpression of TLR3Clearance of HCVCommon chronic blood-borne infectionElevated innate immune responseImpaired toll-like receptorPrimary macrophagesHCV genotype 1Ongoing inflammatory responseMajority of patientsBlood-borne infectionsBlood mononuclear cellsToll-like receptorsIFN response genesPotential therapeutic approachInnate immune responseMacrophages of patientsElevated baseline expressionTLR3 pathwayViral clearance
2011
Age‐associated elevation in TLR5 leads to increased inflammatory responses in the elderly
Qian F, Wang X, Zhang L, Chen S, Piecychna M, Allore H, Bockenstedt L, Malawista S, Bucala R, Shaw AC, Fikrig E, Montgomery RR. Age‐associated elevation in TLR5 leads to increased inflammatory responses in the elderly. Aging Cell 2011, 11: 104-110. PMID: 22023165, PMCID: PMC3257374, DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-9726.2011.00759.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAgingExtracellular Signal-Regulated MAP KinasesFemaleHumansInflammationInterleukin-8MaleMiddle AgedMonocytesMultivariate AnalysisNF-kappa BP38 Mitogen-Activated Protein KinasesPhosphorylationProtein TransportRNA, MessengerSignal TransductionToll-Like Receptor 5Tumor Necrosis Factor-alphaConceptsToll-like receptorsIL-8Multivariable mixed-effects modelsOlder individualsElevated IL-8Levels of TLR5Expression of TLR5Production of TNFAge-associated elevationAge-related decreaseDendritic cellsImmune responsivenessElderly donorsInflammatory responseImmune functionNF-κBTLR5Progressive declineMonocytesMixed effects modelsMAPK p38Significant increaseEffects modelAssociated increaseCritical mechanismDengue Virus Capsid Protein Binds Core Histones and Inhibits Nucleosome Formation in Human Liver Cells
Colpitts TM, Barthel S, Wang P, Fikrig E. Dengue Virus Capsid Protein Binds Core Histones and Inhibits Nucleosome Formation in Human Liver Cells. PLOS ONE 2011, 6: e24365. PMID: 21909430, PMCID: PMC3164731, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0024365.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDENV infectionDENV CHuman liver cellsDengue virusLiver cellsDengue virus infectionTime-dependent mannerSpecific antiviralsVirus infectionInfectionAlters levelsSerious human diseasesInteresting new roleViral RNANuclear presenceMature virus particlesVirus particlesHuman diseasesFlaviviral replicationCellsCellular responsesCapsid proteinStructural proteinsVaccine
2010
Anaplasma phagocytophilum induces actin phosphorylation to selectively regulate gene transcription in Ixodes scapularis ticks
Sultana H, Neelakanta G, Kantor FS, Malawista SE, Fish D, Montgomery RR, Fikrig E. Anaplasma phagocytophilum induces actin phosphorylation to selectively regulate gene transcription in Ixodes scapularis ticks. Journal Of Experimental Medicine 2010, 207: 1727-1743. PMID: 20660616, PMCID: PMC2916137, DOI: 10.1084/jem.20100276.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsActinsAnaplasma phagocytophilumAnimalsCell LineCell NucleusEnzyme InhibitorsGastrointestinal TractGene ExpressionGene Expression RegulationGTP-Binding Protein beta SubunitsGTP-Binding Protein gamma SubunitsInsect ProteinsIxodesP21-Activated KinasesPhosphatidylinositol 3-KinasesPhosphoinositide-3 Kinase InhibitorsPhosphorylationPromoter Regions, GeneticProtein BindingRNA InterferenceRNA Polymerase IISalivary GlandsSalivary Proteins and PeptidesSignal TransductionTATA-Box Binding ProteinTranscription, GeneticConceptsRNA polymerase IIActin phosphorylationTATA box-binding proteinNuclear G-actinPhosphorylation of actinP21-activated kinaseA. phagocytophilumA. phagocytophilum survivalTick cell linesIxodes scapularis ticksPolymerase IIPhosphorylated actinGene crucialGbetagamma subunitsGene transcriptionFilamentous actinAnaplasma phagocytophilumGene expressionBacterial acquisitionScapularis ticksPhosphorylationG-actinIntracellular pathogensMedical importanceActin
2007
Anaplasma phagocytophilum specifically induces tyrosine phosphorylation of ROCK1 during infection
Thomas V, Fikrig E. Anaplasma phagocytophilum specifically induces tyrosine phosphorylation of ROCK1 during infection. Cellular Microbiology 2007, 9: 1730-1737. PMID: 17346310, DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2007.00908.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAnaplasma phagocytophilumPSGL-1Non-antibiotic strategiesHuman granulocytic anaplasmosisA. phagocytophilum infectionA. phagocytophilum-infected cellsTick-borne agentsPolymorphonuclear leucocytesPromyelocytic cell linePhagocytophilum infectionObligate intracellular pathogensInfectionTyrosine phosphorylationIntracellular pathogensGranulocytic anaplasmosisCell linesROCK1SykPhagocytophilumPhosphorylationNeutrophilsLeucocytesAntibodies
2005
Anaplasma phagocytophilum Modulates gp91phox Gene Expression through Altered Interferon Regulatory Factor 1 and PU.1 Levels and Binding of CCAAT Displacement Protein
Thomas V, Samanta S, Wu C, Berliner N, Fikrig E. Anaplasma phagocytophilum Modulates gp91phox Gene Expression through Altered Interferon Regulatory Factor 1 and PU.1 Levels and Binding of CCAAT Displacement Protein. Infection And Immunity 2005, 73: 208-218. PMID: 15618156, PMCID: PMC538944, DOI: 10.1128/iai.73.1.208-218.2005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnaplasma phagocytophilumDNA-Binding ProteinsGene Expression RegulationHL-60 CellsHomeodomain ProteinsHumansInterferon Regulatory Factor-1Membrane GlycoproteinsNADPH Oxidase 2NADPH OxidasesNuclear ProteinsPhosphoproteinsPhosphorylationPromoter Regions, GeneticProto-Oncogene ProteinsRepressor ProteinsSTAT1 Transcription FactorTrans-ActivatorsTranscription FactorsTranscription, GeneticConceptsCCAAT displacement proteinRegulatory factor 1IRF-1IRF-1 promoterRegulation of genesA. phagocytophilum-infected cellsFirst molecular mechanismFactor 1Interferon regulatory factor 1IFN-gamma signalingActivator proteinGene transcriptionAnaplasma phagocytophilumTranscriptional inhibitionGene expressionMolecular mechanismsNuclear extractsGamma interferon stimulationPhosphorylated STAT1Interferon stimulationGenesA. phagocytophilum infectionProteinProtein expressionReduced expression
2002
Murine Lyme Arthritis Development Mediated by p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Activity
Anguita J, Barthold SW, Persinski R, Hedrick MN, Huy CA, Davis RJ, Flavell RA, Fikrig E. Murine Lyme Arthritis Development Mediated by p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Activity. The Journal Of Immunology 2002, 168: 6352-6357. PMID: 12055252, PMCID: PMC4309983, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.168.12.6352.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAntigens, BacterialArthritis, InfectiousBorrelia burgdorferiCD4-Positive T-LymphocytesCell LineEnzyme ActivationInflammationInterferon-gammaLyme DiseaseMAP Kinase Kinase 3MAP Kinase Signaling SystemMiceMice, KnockoutMitogen-Activated Protein Kinase KinasesMitogen-Activated Protein KinasesP38 Mitogen-Activated Protein KinasesPhagocytesPhosphorylationProtein-Tyrosine KinasesReceptors, InterferonConceptsProinflammatory cytokine productionCytokine productionT helper type 1 responsePhagocytic cellsDevelopment of arthritisPotential new therapeutic approachType 1 responseInfection of miceExperimental murine modelMurine Lyme arthritisNew therapeutic approachesLyme arthritis developmentTreatment of inflammationCytokine burstArthritis developmentJoint inflammationLyme arthritisNF-kappa BProinflammatory cytokinesTNF-alphaT cellsMurine modelTherapeutic approachesP38 MAP kinaseSpecific Abs