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 proteinsVaccineMRNAGuineaVaccination to Prevent Lyme Disease: A Movement Towards Anti-Tick Approaches
Johnson E, Hart T, Fikrig E. Vaccination to Prevent Lyme Disease: A Movement Towards Anti-Tick Approaches. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2024, 230: s82-s86. PMID: 39140718, PMCID: PMC11322886, DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiae202.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTransmission of tick-borne pathogensTick-borne pathogensIxodes spp ticksInhibited tick feedingTick feedingDisease vaccineTick vectorWildlife reservoirsOuter surface protein ALyme disease vaccineLyme diseaseTicksBorrelia burgdorferiLyme disease casesPreventing Lyme diseasePathogensFood and Drug AdministrationSurface protein AOspA-based vaccinesVaccineFeedingLymeProtein AFoodPrevent transmission
2023
Frankenbacteriosis targeting interactions between pathogen and symbiont to control infection in the tick vector
Mazuecos L, Alberdi P, Hernández-Jarguín A, Contreras M, Villar M, Cabezas-Cruz A, Simo L, González-García A, Díaz-Sánchez S, Neelakanta G, Bonnet S, Fikrig E, de la Fuente J. Frankenbacteriosis targeting interactions between pathogen and symbiont to control infection in the tick vector. IScience 2023, 26: 106697. PMID: 37168564, PMCID: PMC10165458, DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106697.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHuman granulocytic anaplasmosisPathogen infection/transmissionTick-borne pathogensTick-borne diseasesInfection/transmissionTick vectorGranulocytic anaplasmosisWildtype populationTick microbiotaPathogensModel pathogenTransovarialAnaplasmosisMSP4TicksAssociated reductionCompetitionLarvaeDisease riskParatransgenesisSymbiontsInfectionCommensal bacteriaBacteriaControl
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
2021
mRNA vaccination induces tick resistance and prevents transmission of the Lyme disease agent
Sajid A, Matias J, Arora G, Kurokawa C, DePonte K, Tang X, Lynn G, Wu MJ, Pal U, Strank NO, Pardi N, Narasimhan S, Weissman D, Fikrig E. mRNA vaccination induces tick resistance and prevents transmission of the Lyme disease agent. Science Translational Medicine 2021, 13: eabj9827. PMID: 34788080, DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abj9827.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTick-borne infectionsTick-borne infectious diseaseEngorgement weightDisease agentsTicksTick exposureLyme disease agentGuinea pigsTick biteNormal blood mealBlood mealNucleoside-modified mRNALyme diseasePigsLocal rednessMRNA vaccinationMRNA vaccinesBite siteSalivary proteinsPrevents transmissionInfectious diseasesDiseaseVaccineResistanceEffective inductionThe 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 pathwaysTicksInfectionTick host immunity: vector immunomodulation and acquired tick resistance
Kitsou C, Fikrig E, Pal U. Tick host immunity: vector immunomodulation and acquired tick resistance. Trends In Immunology 2021, 42: 554-574. PMID: 34074602, PMCID: PMC10089699, DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2021.05.005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTick-host associationsTick resistanceImmune evasion activitiesNovel preventive strategiesImmunological eventsImmunomodulatory rolePreventive strategiesTick salivaIncidental hostsNew seedsPathogen transmissionBlood mealNatural hostVector competenceNatural persistenceCritical appraisalTicksAssociationPotential impacts of climate change on medically important tick species in North America.
Lynn G, Narasimhan S, Fikrig E. Potential impacts of climate change on medically important tick species in North America. 2021, 145-151. DOI: 10.1079/9781789249637.0021.Chapters
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 StatementsInteractions Between Ticks and Lyme Disease Spirochetes.
Pal U, Kitsou C, Drecktrah D, Yaş ÖB, Fikrig E. Interactions Between Ticks and Lyme Disease Spirochetes. Current Issues In Molecular Biology 2020, 42: 113-144. PMID: 33289683, PMCID: PMC8045411, DOI: 10.21775/cimb.042.113.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsComplex enzootic life cycleEnzootic life cycleMammalian reservoir hostsMolecular interactionsLife cycleDiscrete molecular interactionsVariety of animalsRelated ticksVertebrate hostsLyme disease spirocheteArthropod vectorsSensu latoPathogen persistenceWild rodentsBacterial pathogensReservoir hostsCritical roleTick-transmitted infectionsMain vectorNortheastern United StatesPast discoveriesHostTicksArthropodsSpirochetesNaturally Acquired Resistance to Ixodes scapularis Elicits Partial Immunity against Other Tick Vectors in a Laboratory Host
Lynn GE, Diktas H, DePonte K, Fikrig E. Naturally Acquired Resistance to Ixodes scapularis Elicits Partial Immunity against Other Tick Vectors in a Laboratory Host. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2020, 104: 175-183. PMID: 33258439, PMCID: PMC7790098, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0776.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTick speciesTick vectorEngorgement weightHost resistanceMultiple tick speciesAnti-tick vaccinesImportant tick speciesImportant tick vectorAbility of ticksTransmission of pathogensTick resistanceTick challengeTick attachmentTick salivaTicksForm of immunityLaboratory hostPrimary speciesEconomic productionGuinea pig modelNorth AmericaSpeciesPartial immunityPathogensHostAn 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 interferenceIllnessTicksFractionation of tick saliva reveals proteins associated with the development of acquired resistance to Ixodes scapularis
Černý J, Lynn G, DePonte K, Ledizet M, Narasimhan S, Fikrig E. Fractionation of tick saliva reveals proteins associated with the development of acquired resistance to Ixodes scapularis. Vaccine 2020, 38: 8121-8129. PMID: 33168347, DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.10.087.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTick-borne pathogensTick immunityTick salivaTick vaccinesMultiple tick-borne pathogensIxodes scapularisGuinea pig modelTick salivary antigensTick rejectionTick Ixodes scapularisPig modelTick feedingNortheast USASalivary antigensGlobal medical problemDevelopment of vaccinesTicksMain vectorPathogensSaliva fractionsScapularisMedical problemsImmunityVaccineSalivaEpigenetic Regulation of Tick Biology and Vectorial Capacity
De S, Kitsou C, Sonenshine DE, Pedra JHF, Fikrig E, Kassis JA, Pal U. Epigenetic Regulation of Tick Biology and Vectorial Capacity. Trends In Genetics 2020, 37: 8-11. PMID: 33020021, PMCID: PMC8008791, DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2020.09.012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIxodes scapularis saliva components that elicit responses associated with acquired tick-resistance
Narasimhan S, Kurokawa C, Diktas H, Strank NO, Černý J, Murfin K, Cao Y, Lynn G, Trentleman J, Wu MJ, DePonte K, Kantor F, Anguita J, Hovius J, Fikrig E. Ixodes scapularis saliva components that elicit responses associated with acquired tick-resistance. Ticks And Tick-borne Diseases 2020, 11: 101369. PMID: 31924502, PMCID: PMC7382422, DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101369.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTick-borne diseasesSalivary antigensAnti-tick vaccine candidatesIxodes scapularisTick salivary antigensTransmission of pathogensTick infestationTick rejectionTick proteinsViable vaccine targetsTick feedingPathogen transmissionRise worldTicksHost immune responseUrgent public health needScapularisMammalian hostsPathogensPublic health needsVaccine candidatesImmune responseSalivary glycoproteinsFeedingVaccine targeting
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
2015
Tick microbiome: the force within
Narasimhan S, Fikrig E. Tick microbiome: the force within. Trends In Parasitology 2015, 31: 315-323. PMID: 25936226, PMCID: PMC4492851, DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2015.03.010.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus Statements
2011
Molecular 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
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 agentsFucosylation enhances colonization of ticks by Anaplasma phagocytophilum
Pedra JH, Narasimhan S, Rendić D, DePonte K, Bell‐Sakyi L, Wilson IB, Fikrig E. Fucosylation enhances colonization of ticks by Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Cellular Microbiology 2010, 12: 1222-1234. PMID: 20331643, PMCID: PMC3250644, DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2010.01464.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsA. phagocytophilumAnaplasma phagocytophilumHuman granulocytic anaplasmosisBacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilumGranulocytic anaplasmosisPathological processesTick feedingPhagocytophilumMicrobial pathogenesisNovel mechanismPathogen colonizationTick cellsFucosylated structuresTicksPathogen invasionPathogenesis