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 ResearchConceptsBlood meal acquisitionMetazoan developmentTick receptorArthropod immunityMammalian hostsSignaling pathwaysReceptor motifEvolutionary dependenceVectorial competenceStem cellsCommunication pathwaysPathwayCritical roleVector immunityHostHigh affinityGenomeAntimicrobial componentsHedgehogJAKMotifMetamorphosisImmunityParasitesPhysiology
2020
CXCL10 Signaling Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Arthritogenic Alphaviruses
Lin T, Geng T, Harrison AG, Yang D, Vella AT, Fikrig E, Wang P. CXCL10 Signaling Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Arthritogenic Alphaviruses. Viruses 2020, 12: 1252. PMID: 33147869, PMCID: PMC7692144, DOI: 10.3390/v12111252.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChikungunya virusAlphaviral arthritisArthritogenic alphavirusesLargest immune cell populationMacrophages/T cellsImmune cell populationsInflammatory immune responseLow viral loadWild-type miceO'nyong-nyong virusWild-type animalsRheumatic manifestationsImmune infiltratesViral loadT cellsImmune responseAlphaviral diseaseArthritic diseasesTherapeutic targetCXCL10PathogenesisViral RNACell populationsArthritisFootpad
2019
Inhibition of Chikungunya Virus Replication in Primary Human Fibroblasts by Liver X Receptor Agonist
Hwang J, Wang Y, Fikrig E. Inhibition of Chikungunya Virus Replication in Primary Human Fibroblasts by Liver X Receptor Agonist. Antimicrobial Agents And Chemotherapy 2019, 63: 10.1128/aac.01220-19. PMID: 31307983, PMCID: PMC6709483, DOI: 10.1128/aac.01220-19.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAntiviral AgentsApolipoproteins EATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 1Chikungunya virusCholesterolFibroblastsGene Expression RegulationHost-Pathogen InteractionsHumansIndazolesInterferonsLiver X ReceptorsPrimary Cell CultureRNA, Small InterferingSignal TransductionVirus ReplicationConceptsChikungunya virusLiver X receptor agonistMosquito-borne chikungunya virusX receptor agonistLiver X receptorChikungunya Virus ReplicationLXR-623Acute painJoint inflammationReceptor agonistCHIKV replicationPharmacological activationSynthetic agonistsAntiviral stateVirus replicationX receptorLarge epidemicsHost factorsAgonistsPrimary human fibroblastsVirusHuman fibroblastsPainInflammationGeographic areas
2018
Vector Immunity and Evolutionary Ecology: The Harmonious Dissonance
Shaw DK, Tate AT, Schneider DS, Levashina EA, Kagan JC, Pal U, Fikrig E, Pedra JHF. Vector Immunity and Evolutionary Ecology: The Harmonious Dissonance. Trends In Immunology 2018, 39: 862-873. PMID: 30301592, PMCID: PMC6218297, DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2018.09.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsArthropod VectorsArthropodsBiological EvolutionEcologyHumansImmune ToleranceImmunityMammalsSignal TransductionConceptsVector immunityEvolutionary ecologyEvolutionary forcesEvolutionary ecologistsGenetic plasticityVector-borne pathogensArthropod populationsAbiotic factorsMolecular immunologistsMicrobial assaultImmune systemInnate defenseRecent scientific breakthroughsEcologyEcologistsImmune responsePathogenicityImmunityPathogensPlasticityDefenseToleranceResistanceScientific breakthroughsUBXN3B positively regulates STING-mediated antiviral immune responses
Yang L, Wang L, Ketkar H, Ma J, Yang G, Cui S, Geng T, Mordue DG, Fujimoto T, Cheng G, You F, Lin R, Fikrig E, Wang P. UBXN3B positively regulates STING-mediated antiviral immune responses. Nature Communications 2018, 9: 2329. PMID: 29899553, PMCID: PMC5998066, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04759-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsUbiquitin regulatory X domain-containing proteinAntiviral immune responseImmune responseDeficient immune responseDomain-containing proteinsInterferon genes (STING) signalingVesicular stomatitis virus infectionDiverse biological processesStomatitis virus infectionPhosphorylation of TBK1Physiological evidenceHerpes simplex virus 1Cre-loxP approachSimplex virus 1Virus infectionAdult miceGene signalingHSV-1Biological processesPhysiological functionsVirus 1MicePrimary cellsConsequent recruitmentResponse
2017
An essential role of PI3K in the control of West Nile virus infection
Wang L, Yang L, Fikrig E, Wang P. An essential role of PI3K in the control of West Nile virus infection. Scientific Reports 2017, 7: 3724. PMID: 28623344, PMCID: PMC5473900, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03912-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWest Nile virus infectionPI3K inhibitorsPI3KVirus infectionImmune responseK inhibitorsType I IFN responseAntiviral immune responseI IFN responseCatalytic subunit p110δTNF-α protein productionPrimary mouse macrophagesFlaviviral infectionsAntiviral immunityIFN responseViral titersClass I PI3KAntiviral roleMRNA expressionPI3K activityIFNProtein expressionInfectionMouse macrophagesCell proliferationInfection-derived lipids elicit an immune deficiency circuit in arthropods
Shaw DK, Wang X, Brown LJ, Chávez AS, Reif KE, Smith AA, Scott AJ, McClure EE, Boradia VM, Hammond HL, Sundberg EJ, Snyder GA, Liu L, DePonte K, Villar M, Ueti MW, de la Fuente J, Ernst RK, Pal U, Fikrig E, Pedra JH. Infection-derived lipids elicit an immune deficiency circuit in arthropods. Nature Communications 2017, 8: 14401. PMID: 28195158, PMCID: PMC5316886, DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14401.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdaptor Proteins, Signal TransducingAnaplasma marginaleAnaplasma phagocytophilumAnimalsArthropodsBorrelia burgdorferiCarrier ProteinsDisease Models, AnimalDrosophila melanogasterDrosophila ProteinsEscherichia coliFas-Associated Death Domain ProteinGene SilencingHEK293 CellsHumansImmunologic Deficiency SyndromesIxodesLipidsLyme DiseasePhosphatidylglycerolsRecombinant ProteinsRNA, Small InterferingSignal TransductionTranscription FactorsUbiquitin-Conjugating EnzymesUbiquitin-Protein LigasesX-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis ProteinConceptsAdaptor molecule FasImmune deficiency (IMD) pathwayPeptidoglycan recognition proteinsE3 ubiquitin ligaseLyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferiIMD pathwayGram-negative bacteriaRecognition proteinsUbiquitin ligaseDeath domainApoptosis proteinDistinct bacteriaBiochemical interactionsMolecule FasSpirochete Borrelia burgdorferiReceptor networkA. marginaleProteinAnaplasma phagocytophilumBacteriaPathwayBorrelia burgdorferiInsectsLipidsArthropodsMultiple UBXN family members inhibit retrovirus and lentivirus production and canonical NFκΒ signaling by stabilizing IκBα
Hu Y, O’Boyle K, Auer J, Raju S, You F, Wang P, Fikrig E, Sutton RE. Multiple UBXN family members inhibit retrovirus and lentivirus production and canonical NFκΒ signaling by stabilizing IκBα. PLOS Pathogens 2017, 13: e1006187. PMID: 28152074, PMCID: PMC5308826, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006187.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGene expressionHundreds of genesCycle assaysNFκB pathwayCo-immunoprecipitation studiesMouse embryo fibroblastsDownstream effector functionsJurkat T cellsPrimary human fibroblastsEmbryonic lethalityFamily membersUBA domainUBXN1HIV gene expressionSingle-cycle assaysProtein turnoverEmbryo fibroblastsCell adhesionGlobal regulationCanonical NFκB pathwayNFκB signalingHuman fibroblastsLike receptorsPathwayKnockdown
2014
Gut Microbiota of the Tick Vector Ixodes scapularis Modulate Colonization of the Lyme Disease Spirochete
Narasimhan S, Rajeevan N, Liu L, Zhao YO, Heisig J, Pan J, Eppler-Epstein R, DePonte K, Fish D, Fikrig E. Gut Microbiota of the Tick Vector Ixodes scapularis Modulate Colonization of the Lyme Disease Spirochete. Cell Host & Microbe 2014, 15: 58-71. PMID: 24439898, PMCID: PMC3905459, DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2013.12.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPeritrophic matrixTranscription factor signal transducerPathogen colonizationLyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferiActivator of transcriptionGut microbiotaArthropod gutsSignal transducerLyme disease spirocheteFunctional linkArthropod vectorsMajor vectorKey glycoproteinsHuman pathogensSpirochete Borrelia burgdorferiGut epitheliumIxodes scapularis ticksColonizationGut epithelial barrierMicrobiotaExpressionGut lumenScapularis ticksBorrelia burgdorferiEpithelial barrier
2013
ELF4 is critical for induction of type I interferon and the host antiviral response
You F, Wang P, Yang L, Yang G, Zhao YO, Qian F, Walker W, Sutton R, Montgomery R, Lin R, Iwasaki A, Fikrig E. ELF4 is critical for induction of type I interferon and the host antiviral response. Nature Immunology 2013, 14: 1237-1246. PMID: 24185615, PMCID: PMC3939855, DOI: 10.1038/ni.2756.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsCell LineCells, CulturedDNA-Binding ProteinsHEK293 CellsHeLa CellsHost-Pathogen InteractionsHumansImmunoblottingInterferon Regulatory Factor-3Interferon Regulatory Factor-7Interferon-betaMembrane ProteinsMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMice, KnockoutMicroscopy, ConfocalProtein BindingReverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionRNA InterferenceSignal TransductionSurvival AnalysisTranscription FactorsTranscriptional ActivationWest Nile FeverWest Nile virusUBXN1 Interferes with Rig-I-like Receptor-Mediated Antiviral Immune Response by Targeting MAVS
Wang P, Yang L, Cheng G, Yang G, Xu Z, You F, Sun Q, Lin R, Fikrig E, Sutton RE. UBXN1 Interferes with Rig-I-like Receptor-Mediated Antiviral Immune Response by Targeting MAVS. Cell Reports 2013, 3: 1057-1070. PMID: 23545497, PMCID: PMC3707122, DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2013.02.027.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntiviral immune responseInnate immune responseImmune responseLike receptorsSystemic antiviral immune responsesVirus-induced innate immune responsesDengue virus infectionType I interferon responseI interferon responseRNA virusesVirus infectionViral infectionStrong inhibitory effectViral replicationVirus replicationInterferon responseRNA virus replicationInhibitory effectWest NileMAVSVesicular stomatitisInfectionAdaptor moleculeFamily membersReceptors
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 clearanceSemaphorin 7A Contributes to West Nile Virus Pathogenesis through TGF-β1/Smad6 Signaling
Sultana H, Neelakanta G, Foellmer HG, Montgomery RR, Anderson JF, Koski RA, Medzhitov RM, Fikrig E. Semaphorin 7A Contributes to West Nile Virus Pathogenesis through TGF-β1/Smad6 Signaling. The Journal Of Immunology 2012, 189: 3150-3158. PMID: 22896629, PMCID: PMC3496209, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1201140.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRole of Sema7AWNV infectionSemaphorin 7ATGF-β1Lethal West Nile virus infectionViral pathogenesisBlood-brain barrier permeabilityWest Nile Virus PathogenesisWest Nile virus infectionMurine cortical neuronsPrimary human macrophagesViral burdenWNV pathogenesisCortical neuronsBarrier permeabilityFlaviviral infectionsVirus infectionVirus pathogenesisNervous systemImmune systemPathogenesisInfectionHuman macrophagesSema7AMiceIL-22 Signaling Contributes to West Nile Encephalitis Pathogenesis
Wang P, Bai F, Zenewicz LA, Dai J, Gate D, Cheng G, Yang L, Qian F, Yuan X, Montgomery RR, Flavell RA, Town T, Fikrig E. IL-22 Signaling Contributes to West Nile Encephalitis Pathogenesis. PLOS ONE 2012, 7: e44153. PMID: 22952908, PMCID: PMC3429482, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044153.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWild-type miceCentral nervous systemIL-22Viral loadNeutrophil migrationType miceWest Nile virus encephalitisSimilar viral loadsLethal WNV infectionIL-22 signalingHost immune responseWNV neuroinvasionVirus encephalitisCXCR2 ligandsLeukocyte infiltrateProinflammatory cytokinesChemokine receptorsImmune responseWNV infectionViral infectionNervous systemSignaling contributesExtracellular pathogensNon-redundant roleWT leukocytesIxodes scapularis JAK-STAT Pathway Regulates Tick Antimicrobial Peptides, Thereby Controlling the Agent of Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis
Liu L, Dai J, Zhao YO, Narasimhan S, Yang Y, Zhang L, Fikrig E. Ixodes scapularis JAK-STAT Pathway Regulates Tick Antimicrobial Peptides, Thereby Controlling the Agent of Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2012, 206: 1233-1241. PMID: 22859824, PMCID: PMC3448968, DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jis484.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsJAK-STAT pathwayTick salivary glandsA. phagocytophilum infectionAntimicrobial peptidesElectrophoretic mobility shift assaysPeptide-encoding genesMobility shift assaysPhagocytophilum infectionHuman granulocytic anaplasmosisGene familyTransducer activatorMammalian hostsRNA interferenceShift assaysTranscription pathwayGene expressionJAK-STATJanus kinaseGranulocytic anaplasmosisSalivary glandsPathwayGenesCritical roleAnaplasma phagocytophilumKey role
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 mechanismImpaired Interferon Signaling in Dendritic Cells From Older Donors Infected In Vitro With West Nile Virus
Qian F, Wang X, Zhang L, Lin A, Zhao H, Fikrig E, Montgomery RR. Impaired Interferon Signaling in Dendritic Cells From Older Donors Infected In Vitro With West Nile Virus. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2011, 203: 1415-1424. PMID: 21398396, PMCID: PMC3080893, DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jir048.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDendritic cellsWest Nile virusOlder donorsAntiviral responseToll-like receptor 3Initial antiviral responseLate-phase responseNile virusSignificant age-related differencesSignificant human morbidityType I IFNQuantified cytokinesRNA flavivirusAge-related differencesYoung donorsI IFNReceptor RIGViral infectionReceptor 3Human morbidityOlder populationCritical regulatory pathwaysInterferon SignalingNuclear translocationDefective regulation
2010
Caspase-12 controls West Nile virus infection via the viral RNA receptor RIG-I
Wang P, Arjona A, Zhang Y, Sultana H, Dai J, Yang L, LeBlanc PM, Doiron K, Saleh M, Fikrig E. Caspase-12 controls West Nile virus infection via the viral RNA receptor RIG-I. Nature Immunology 2010, 11: 912-919. PMID: 20818395, PMCID: PMC3712356, DOI: 10.1038/ni.1933.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsCaspase 12Cells, CulturedDEAD Box Protein 58DEAD-box RNA HelicasesDNA-Binding ProteinsFibroblastsImmunity, InnateInterferon Type IMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMice, KnockoutNeuronsReceptors, VirusSignal TransductionTranscription FactorsUbiquitinationUbiquitin-Protein LigasesWest Nile FeverWest Nile virusAnaplasma phagocytophilum AptA modulates Erk1/2 signalling
Sukumaran B, Mastronunzio JE, Narasimhan S, Fankhauser S, Uchil PD, Levy R, Graham M, Colpitts TM, Lesser CF, Fikrig E. Anaplasma phagocytophilum AptA modulates Erk1/2 signalling. Cellular Microbiology 2010, 13: 47-61. PMID: 20716207, PMCID: PMC3005019, DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2010.01516.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsA. phagocytophilum infectionPhagocytophilum infectionCommon tick-borne diseasesHuman granulocytic anaplasmosisActivation of ERK1/2ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinasesA. phagocytophilum survivalPolymorphonuclear leucocytesMitogen-activated protein kinaseHuman neutrophilsObligate intracellular pathogensGranulocytic anaplasmosisIntracellular pathogensTick-borne diseasesInfectionERK1/2 activationAnaplasma phagocytophilumVimentinSurvivalActivationBacterial inclusionsHost proteinsIntermediate filament protein vimentinVirulence proteinsProtein vimentinAnaplasma 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