2023
Dome1–JAK–STAT signaling between parasite and host integrates vector immunity and development
Rana V, Kitsou C, Dutta S, Ronzetti M, Zhang M, Bernard Q, Smith A, Tomás-Cortázar J, Yang X, Wu M, Kepple O, Li W, Dwyer J, Matias J, Baljinnyam B, Oliver J, Rajeevan N, Pedra J, Narasimhan S, Wang Y, Munderloh U, Fikrig E, Simeonov A, Anguita J, Pal U. Dome1–JAK–STAT signaling between parasite and host integrates vector immunity and development. Science 2023, 379: eabl3837. PMID: 36634189, PMCID: PMC10122270, DOI: 10.1126/science.abl3837.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsArachnid VectorsHost-Parasite InteractionsInterferon-gammaIxodesJanus KinasesReceptors, CytokineSignal TransductionSTAT Transcription FactorsConceptsBlood meal acquisitionMetazoan developmentTick receptorArthropod immunityMammalian hostsSignaling pathwaysReceptor motifEvolutionary dependenceVectorial competenceStem cellsCommunication pathwaysPathwayCritical roleVector immunityHostHigh affinityGenomeAntimicrobial componentsHedgehogJAKMotifMetamorphosisImmunityParasitesPhysiology
2020
Acquired tick resistance: The trail is hot
Narasimhan S, Kurokawa C, DeBlasio M, Matias J, Sajid A, Pal U, Lynn G, Fikrig E. Acquired tick resistance: The trail is hot. Parasite Immunology 2020, 43: e12808. PMID: 33187012, PMCID: PMC8058238, DOI: 10.1111/pim.12808.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsMeSH KeywordsAnimalsDisease Models, AnimalDisease ResistanceHost-Parasite InteractionsHumansProteomeTick InfestationsTicks
2018
A mosquito salivary gland protein partially inhibits Plasmodium sporozoite cell traversal and transmission
Schleicher TR, Yang J, Freudzon M, Rembisz A, Craft S, Hamilton M, Graham M, Mlambo G, Tripathi AK, Li Y, Cresswell P, Sinnis P, Dimopoulos G, Fikrig E. A mosquito salivary gland protein partially inhibits Plasmodium sporozoite cell traversal and transmission. Nature Communications 2018, 9: 2908. PMID: 30046053, PMCID: PMC6060088, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05374-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsHost-Parasite InteractionsInsect ProteinsMalariaMosquito VectorsPlasmodiumSalivary GlandsSporozoitesConceptsSalivary gland proteinsCell traversal activityMosquito salivary gland proteinsMosquito salivaGland proteinsCell traversalInfected Anopheles mosquitoesThiol reductaseSporozoite movementVector proteinProteinPlasmodium parasitesAnopheles mosquitoesInitial infectionParasitesHost dermisVector salivaMass spectrometrySporozoitesSalivaMalariaLiverReductaseKey stepHost
2014
A Tick Gut Protein with Fibronectin III Domains Aids Borrelia burgdorferi Congregation to the Gut during Transmission
Narasimhan S, Coumou J, Schuijt TJ, Boder E, Hovius JW, Fikrig E. A Tick Gut Protein with Fibronectin III Domains Aids Borrelia burgdorferi Congregation to the Gut during Transmission. PLOS Pathogens 2014, 10: e1004278. PMID: 25102051, PMCID: PMC4125277, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004278.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchInnexin AGAP001476 Is Critical for Mediating Anti-Plasmodium Responses in Anopheles Mosquitoes
Li MW, Wang J, Zhao YO, Fikrig E. Innexin AGAP001476 Is Critical for Mediating Anti-Plasmodium Responses in Anopheles Mosquitoes. Journal Of Biological Chemistry 2014, 289: 24885-24897. PMID: 25035430, PMCID: PMC4155657, DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.554519.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAnti-Plasmodium responseToll pathwayInnate immune responseGap junction proteinIMD pathwaySignal transductionExtracellular communicationSimultaneous knockdownAnopheles gambiaeImmune responseMidgut epitheliumInhibitor studiesKnockdownPlasmodium falciparum infectionCactusBlood mealGap junctionsVitellogenin levelsOocyst numbersAnopheles mosquitoesJunction proteinsCritical rolePathwayMRNA levelsMosquitoes
2013
Anopheles gambiae Circumsporozoite Protein–Binding Protein Facilitates Plasmodium Infection of Mosquito Salivary Glands
Wang J, Zhang Y, Zhao YO, Li MW, Zhang L, Dragovic S, Abraham NM, Fikrig E. Anopheles gambiae Circumsporozoite Protein–Binding Protein Facilitates Plasmodium Infection of Mosquito Salivary Glands. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2013, 208: 1161-1169. PMID: 23801601, PMCID: PMC3762383, DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jit284.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAnophelesFemaleHost-Parasite InteractionsHumansMicePlasmodium bergheiProtein BindingProtozoan ProteinsSalivary GlandsSalivary Proteins and PeptidesConceptsMosquito salivary glandsCircumsporozoite proteinSalivary glandsPlasmodium organismsPlasmodium circumsporozoite proteinMosquito-borne diseasePlasmodium life cycleSubstantial morbidityPlasmodium infectionMosquito bitesFed bloodGut wallPlasmodium sporozoitesSalivary gland proteinsPlasmodium speciesParasite loadGlandBlood mealInfectionGland proteinsVertebrate hostsVivo bioassaySporozoitesInvasionProtein
2012
Enhanced Survival of Plasmodium-Infected Mosquitoes during Starvation
Zhao YO, Kurscheid S, Zhang Y, Liu L, Zhang L, Loeliger K, Fikrig E. Enhanced Survival of Plasmodium-Infected Mosquitoes during Starvation. PLOS ONE 2012, 7: e40556. PMID: 22808193, PMCID: PMC3393683, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040556.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSurvival advantageInsulin-like signalingAbility of mosquitoesInsulin-like peptidesInfection altersUninfected mosquitoesOocyst developmentPlasmodium developmentEnhanced expressionInsect vectorsPeriods of starvationFitness costsEnhanced survivalVertebrate hostsMicroarray analysisCarbohydrate catabolismCause malariaPlasmodiumStarvationMosquitoesActivation of the RpoN-RpoS regulatory pathway during the enzootic life cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi
Ouyang Z, Narasimhan S, Neelakanta G, Kumar M, Pal U, Fikrig E, Norgard MV. Activation of the RpoN-RpoS regulatory pathway during the enzootic life cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi. BMC Microbiology 2012, 12: 44. PMID: 22443136, PMCID: PMC3320556, DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-12-44.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRpoN-RpoS regulatory pathwayRpoN-RpoS pathwayExpression of rpoSEnzootic life cycleMammalian infectionRegulatory pathwaysTranscription of rpoSOuter membrane lipoproteinLife cycleB. burgdorferiKey environmental stimuliLyme disease pathogenesisDiverse nichesMembrane lipoproteinMammalian hostsTarget genesTranscription levelsMicrobial survivalLipoprotein geneRpoSOrganism adaptationInfectious cycleFed larvaeIntermolt larvaeSustained transcription
2007
Tick–host–pathogen interactions in Lyme borreliosis
Hovius JW, van Dam AP, Fikrig E. Tick–host–pathogen interactions in Lyme borreliosis. Trends In Parasitology 2007, 23: 434-438. PMID: 17656156, DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2007.07.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAntigens, SurfaceArachnid VectorsBacterial VaccinesBorrelia burgdorferiGene Expression RegulationHost-Parasite InteractionsHumansIxodesLyme DiseaseReceptors, Cell SurfaceConceptsVertebrate hostsB. burgdorferi survivalB. burgdorferi genesEnzootic life cycleSpirochete survivalGene productsB. burgdorferiArthropod vectorsGenesVector moleculesLife cycleDifferent environmentsHostBorrelia burgdorferiIxodes ticksTROSPATicksSpirochetal agentBurgdorferiLyme borreliosisMicrobesSalp15ExpressionSurvival
2004
TROSPA, an Ixodes scapularis Receptor for Borrelia burgdorferi
Pal U, Li X, Wang T, Montgomery RR, Ramamoorthi N, deSilva AM, Bao F, Yang X, Pypaert M, Pradhan D, Kantor FS, Telford S, Anderson JF, Fikrig E. TROSPA, an Ixodes scapularis Receptor for Borrelia burgdorferi. Cell 2004, 119: 457-468. PMID: 15537536, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2004.10.027.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAmino Acid SequenceAnimalsAntibodies, BacterialAntigens, SurfaceBacterial Outer Membrane ProteinsBacterial VaccinesBase SequenceBorrelia burgdorferiCloning, MolecularGene Expression RegulationHost-Parasite InteractionsIntestinesIxodesLipoproteinsMiceMice, Inbred C3HMolecular Sequence DataReceptors, Cell SurfaceRecombinant ProteinsConceptsLyme disease agent Borrelia burgdorferiSurvival of spirochetesTick receptorMammalian hostsRNA interferenceEfficient colonizationTROSPAOuter surface protein ABorrelia burgdorferiPathogen adherencePathogen transmissionProtein AB. burgdorferi outer surface protein AMRNA levelsIxodes scapularisB. burgdorferiColonizationSurface protein AReceptorsArthropodsBurgdorferiMammalsRepressionSpirochetesTicks
2003
Adaptation of Borrelia burgdorferi in the vector and vertebrate host
Pal U, Fikrig E. Adaptation of Borrelia burgdorferi in the vector and vertebrate host. Microbes And Infection 2003, 5: 659-666. PMID: 12787742, DOI: 10.1016/s1286-4579(03)00097-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdaptation, PhysiologicalAnimalsArachnid VectorsBorrelia burgdorferiDisease VectorsGene Expression Regulation, BacterialHost-Parasite InteractionsLyme DiseaseTicksVertebratesConceptsComplex enzootic cycleUnique adaptive featuresDifferent host environmentsAdaptation of BorreliaMolecular adaptationsRegulatory mechanismsB. burgdorferiHost environmentSensu latoEnzootic cycleExtracellular pathogensDomestic animalsAdaptive featuresBorrelia burgdorferi sensu latoHostBurgdorferi sensu latoCausative agentDiverse rangeArthropodsAdaptationLatoBurgdorferiPathogensLyme diseaseBorrelia
2001
OspA Immunization Decreases Transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi Spirochetes from Infected Peromyscus leucopus Mice to Larval Ixodes scapularis Ticks
Tsao J, Barbour A, Luke C, Fikrig E, Fish D. OspA Immunization Decreases Transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi Spirochetes from Infected Peromyscus leucopus Mice to Larval Ixodes scapularis Ticks. Vector-Borne And Zoonotic Diseases 2001, 1: 65-74. PMID: 12653137, DOI: 10.1089/153036601750137705.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAnimals, WildAntibodies, BacterialAntigens, SurfaceArachnid VectorsBacterial Outer Membrane ProteinsBacterial VaccinesBorrelia burgdorferiDisease ReservoirsDose-Response Relationship, ImmunologicEnzyme-Linked Immunosorbent AssayFluorescent Antibody Technique, DirectHost-Parasite InteractionsIxodesLarvaLipoproteinsLyme DiseasePeromyscusConceptsControl miceUninfected larval ticksInfection prevalenceLarval Ixodes scapularis ticksB. burgdorferiNumber of spirochetesEnzyme-linked immunosorbentBorrelia burgdorferi spirochetesLevel of immunizationReservoir hostsConcentration of antibodyBorrelia burgdorferi transmissionIxodes scapularis ticksSecond vaccinationImmunized miceInfected miceLarval ticksPrior infectionVaccination programSubsequent riskDecrease transmissionOspA vaccinationDirect immunofluorescenceImmune responseXenodiagnostic ticks
1999
Influence of Outer Surface Protein A Antibody onBorrelia burgdorferi within Feeding Ticks
de Silva A, Zeidner N, Zhang Y, Dolan M, Piesman J, Fikrig E. Influence of Outer Surface Protein A Antibody onBorrelia burgdorferi within Feeding Ticks. Infection And Immunity 1999, 67: 30-35. PMID: 9864192, PMCID: PMC96273, DOI: 10.1128/iai.67.1.30-35.1999.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntibody levelsSalivary glandsAntibody titersOspA antibodiesBorrelia burgdorferiLow antibody levelsNumber of spirochetesDensity of spirochetesEnzyme-linked immunosorbentFeeding ticksSurface protein AAbility of spirochetesOuter surface protein AProtective epitopesCompetitive enzyme-linked immunosorbentOuter surface proteinsSpirochetal agentLyme diseaseAntibodiesB. burgdorferiTitersIxodes ticksGlandBurgdorferiSpirochetes
1998
Immune Evasion by Tickborne and Host-Adapted Borrelia burgdorferi
de Silva A, Fikrig E, Hodzic E, Kantor F, Telford S, Barthold S. Immune Evasion by Tickborne and Host-Adapted Borrelia burgdorferi. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 1998, 177: 395-400. PMID: 9466527, DOI: 10.1086/514200.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAntibodies, BacterialBorrelia burgdorferi GroupHost-Parasite InteractionsImmunization, PassiveIxodesLyme DiseaseMiceMice, Inbred C3HSpecific Pathogen-Free Organisms
1997
Arthropod- and host-specific gene expression by Borrelia burgdorferi.
de Silva AM, Fikrig E. Arthropod- and host-specific gene expression by Borrelia burgdorferi. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 1997, 99: 377-379. PMID: 9022068, PMCID: PMC507808, DOI: 10.1172/jci119169.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAnimalsAntigens, BacterialAntigens, SurfaceBacterial Outer Membrane ProteinsBacterial ProteinsBacterial VaccinesBorrelia burgdorferi GroupClinical Trials, Phase III as TopicDisease ReservoirsDisease VectorsGene Expression Regulation, BacterialHeminHost-Parasite InteractionsHumansIxodesLipoproteinsLyme DiseaseMicePlaguePlasminogen ActivatorsSiphonapteraVaccines, SyntheticYersinia pestis