2024
Salp14 epitope-based mRNA vaccination induces early recognition of a tick bite
Cui Y, Cibichakravarthy B, Tang X, Alameh M, Dwivedi G, Weissman D, Fikrig E. Salp14 epitope-based mRNA vaccination induces early recognition of a tick bite. Vaccine 2024, 42: 126304. PMID: 39236403, PMCID: PMC11416896, DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126304.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTick bite siteGuinea pigsMRNA-LNPMRNA vaccinesBite siteImmunized guinea pigsTiters of IgGIxodes scapularis ticksDevelopment of erythemaLipid nanoparticlesSkin of guinea pigsI. scapularisTicksErythemaHistamine activityPigsTick bitesCarboxyl terminusRepeated exposureExposure of animalsAmino acidsSalivary proteinsVaccineMRNAGuineaBacterial reprogramming of tick metabolism impacts vector fitness and susceptibility to infection
Samaddar S, Rolandelli A, O’Neal A, Laukaitis-Yousey H, Marnin L, Singh N, Wang X, Butler L, Rangghran P, Kitsou C, Cabrera Paz F, Valencia L, R. Ferraz C, Munderloh U, Khoo B, Cull B, Rosche K, Shaw D, Oliver J, Narasimhan S, Fikrig E, Pal U, Fiskum G, Polster B, Pedra J. Bacterial reprogramming of tick metabolism impacts vector fitness and susceptibility to infection. Nature Microbiology 2024, 9: 2278-2291. PMID: 38997520, DOI: 10.1038/s41564-024-01756-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMetabolic reprogrammingInfection of tick cellsInvestigate metabolic reprogrammingTick cellsLyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferiSusceptibility to infectionArthropod-borne pathogensMetabolomics approachRickettsia buchneriHuman pathogensMetabolite allocationDiminished survivalBacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilumSpirochete Borrelia burgdorferiAcid metabolismA. phagocytophilum infectionInterspecies relationshipsElevated levelsInfectionFeeding impairmentHuman granulocytic anaplasmosisMetabolic responseArthropod vectorsI. scapularisPathogens
2023
Metabolomic changes associated with acquired resistance to Ixodes scapularis
Cui Y, Matias J, Tang X, Cibichakravarthy B, DePonte K, Wu M, Fikrig E. Metabolomic changes associated with acquired resistance to Ixodes scapularis. Ticks And Tick-borne Diseases 2023, 15: 102279. PMID: 37972499, DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102279.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGuinea pigsHydroxyphenyllactic acidMetabolome of serumGroups of miceTyrosine metabolic pathwayTick biteImmune responseControl animalsIxodes scapularisTick salivaI. scapularisMiceInduction of componentsMetabolomic changesMortalityNitisinoneMolecular mechanismsAnimalsMetabolism pathwaysTyrosine degradationPigsTyrosine metabolism pathwayMetabolic pathwaysScapularisMetabolome
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
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
2009
Passage 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 ResearchConceptsIxodes 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
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 signalsScapularisTicksBorreliosisA Tick Antioxidant Facilitates the Lyme Disease Agent's Successful Migration from the Mammalian Host to the Arthropod Vector
Narasimhan S, Sukumaran B, Bozdogan U, Thomas V, Liang X, DePonte K, Marcantonio N, Koski RA, Anderson JF, Kantor F, Fikrig E. A Tick Antioxidant Facilitates the Lyme Disease Agent's Successful Migration from the Mammalian Host to the Arthropod Vector. Cell Host & Microbe 2007, 2: 7-18. PMID: 18005713, PMCID: PMC2699493, DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2007.06.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMammalian hostsComplex feeding sitesLyme disease agent Borrelia burgdorferiSuccessful migrationMammalian responseTick Ixodes scapularisTick salivary glandsReactive oxygen speciesFeeding sitesArthropod vectorsTick proteinsBurgdorferi-infected miceOxygen speciesEfficient vectorCritical roleSpirochete acquisitionIxodes scapularisB. burgdorferiPathogensHostBorrelia burgdorferiI. scapularisInflammatory cellsImmune cellsSurvival advantage
2006
Disruption 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 mechanismsFeedingScapularis
1996
Novel Borrelia burgdorferi isolates from Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes dentatus ticks feeding on humans
Anderson JF, Flavell RA, Magnarelli LA, Barthold SW, Kantor FS, Wallich R, Persing DH, Mathiesen D, Fikrig E. Novel Borrelia burgdorferi isolates from Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes dentatus ticks feeding on humans. Journal Of Clinical Microbiology 1996, 34: 524-529. PMID: 8904407, PMCID: PMC228839, DOI: 10.1128/jcm.34.3.524-529.1996.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLate Lyme diseaseBorrelia burgdorferiScapularis ticksPulsed-field gel electrophoresis patternsWhite-footed miceIxodes scapularis ticksB. burgdorferi sensu strictoI. scapularis ticksBurgdorferi sensu strictoLyme diseaseMonoclonal antibodiesGel electrophoresis patternsI. scapularisRestriction fragment length polymorphismFragment length polymorphismMicePrevious isolatesZS7Strain B31