2022
CD55 Facilitates Immune Evasion by Borrelia crocidurae, an Agent of Relapsing Fever
Arora G, Lynn GE, Tang X, Rosen CE, Hoornstra D, Sajid A, Hovius JW, Palm NW, Ring AM, Fikrig E. CD55 Facilitates Immune Evasion by Borrelia crocidurae, an Agent of Relapsing Fever. MBio 2022, 13: e01161-22. PMID: 36036625, PMCID: PMC9600505, DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01161-22.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRole of CD55Fever infectionImmune evasionSurface of erythrocytesRosette formationB. crociduraeB. persicaHost factorsBorrelia crociduraeAcute febrile illnessInflammatory cytokine levelsElevated proinflammatory cytokinesExpression of CD55Causative agentErythrocyte rosette formationFacilitates Immune EvasionComplement-mediated lysisHost-pathogen interactionsCytokine levelsFebrile illnessSignificant morbidityProinflammatory cytokinesHigh-throughput screenC5a levelsCD55 expression
2021
Grappling with the tick microbiome
Narasimhan S, Swei A, Abouneameh S, Pal U, Pedra JHF, Fikrig E. Grappling with the tick microbiome. Trends In Parasitology 2021, 37: 722-733. PMID: 33962878, PMCID: PMC8282638, DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.04.004.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTick microbiomeRelated tick speciesMultiple human pathogensHost preferenceSequencing technologiesTick biologyHuman pathogensMicrobiomeMechanistic insightsTick speciesLife cycleIxodes pacificusIxodes scapularisIxodid ticksCausative agentNorth AmericaBorrelia burgdorferiPredominant vectorBiological variablesHabitatsPacificusBiologySpeciesPathogens
2015
Ixodes scapularis dystroglycan-like protein promotes Borrelia burgdorferi migration from the gut
Coumou J, Narasimhan S, Trentelman JJ, Wagemakers A, Koetsveld J, Ersoz JI, Oei A, Fikrig E, Hovius JW. Ixodes scapularis dystroglycan-like protein promotes Borrelia burgdorferi migration from the gut. Journal Of Molecular Medicine 2015, 94: 361-370. PMID: 26594018, PMCID: PMC4803822, DOI: 10.1007/s00109-015-1365-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsB. burgdorferi transmissionTick gutLyme borreliosisTick feedingMurine modelVaccine targetsUninfected ticksRNA interferenceInfected ticksSalivary glandsBorrelia burgdorferiPotential targetGut tissueB. burgdorferiCausative agentIxodes ticksGutPrevious screeningTick proteinsGut cellsBurgdorferiMiceTicks resultsBorreliosisConfocal microscopy
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
2009
Late Manifestations of Lyme Borreliosis
Hovius J, van Dam A, Fikrig E. Late Manifestations of Lyme Borreliosis. 2009, 9-25. DOI: 10.1128/9781555815486.ch2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchLyme borreliosisObjective clinical manifestationsFrequent clinical signsB. burgdorferiB. burgdorferi infectionHost immune responseCommon vector-borne diseaseClinical manifestationsErythema migransAntibiotic treatmentClinical signsBurgdorferi infectionImmune responsePositive culturesLate manifestationTick-borne pathogensLyme diseaseBorreliosisBorrelia burgdorferiDiseaseCausative agentB. afzeliiB. gariniiInfected tissuesBurgdorferiThe Urokinase Receptor (uPAR) Facilitates Clearance of Borrelia burgdorferi
Hovius JW, Bijlsma MF, van der Windt GJ, Wiersinga WJ, Boukens BJ, Coumou J, Oei A, de Beer R, de Vos AF, van 't Veer C, van Dam AP, Wang P, Fikrig E, Levi MM, Roelofs JJ, van der Poll T. The Urokinase Receptor (uPAR) Facilitates Clearance of Borrelia burgdorferi. PLOS Pathogens 2009, 5: e1000447. PMID: 19461880, PMCID: PMC2678258, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000447.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsArthritis, InfectiousBorrelia burgdorferiCell MovementHeartHistocytochemistryHumansLeukocytesLyme DiseaseMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMice, KnockoutMyocarditisPhagocytosisReceptors, Urokinase Plasminogen ActivatorSkinStatistics, NonparametricUp-RegulationUrinary BladderUrokinase-Type Plasminogen ActivatorConceptsB. burgdorferi numbersWT controlsPhagocytotic capacityC3H/HeN backgroundIL-1beta mRNA expressionBorrelia burgdorferiB. burgdorferi infectionRole of uPARSevere carditisBurgdorferi infectionImmune responseLeukocyte functionSpirochete Borrelia burgdorferiFibrinolytic systemPAI-1Facilitate clearanceMRNA expressionHuman leukocytesLyme borreliosisMiceB. burgdorferiCausative agentProteinase receptorUPARAdequate eradicationInhibition of Neutrophil Function by Two Tick Salivary Proteins
Guo X, Booth CJ, Paley MA, Wang X, DePonte K, Fikrig E, Narasimhan S, Montgomery RR. Inhibition of Neutrophil Function by Two Tick Salivary Proteins. Infection And Immunity 2009, 77: 2320-2329. PMID: 19332533, PMCID: PMC2687334, DOI: 10.1128/iai.01507-08.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPolymorphonuclear leukocytesPMN functionNumber of PMNPMN integrinsPMN adherenceNeutrophil functionSpirochete burdenTick salivary proteinsTick salivaLyme diseaseTick attachmentSalivary glandsBorrelia burgdorferiTick feedingCausative agentReduced levelsInhibitory proteinSalivaBlood mealAntihemostatic activityInfectionInhibitionSalivary proteinsHematophagous arthropodsTick Ixodes scapularis
2008
Preferential Protection of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Stricto by a Salp 15 Homologue in Ixodes ricinus Saliva
Hovius JW, Schuijt TJ, de Groot KA, Roelofs JJ, Oei GA, Marquart JA, de Beer R, Veer C, van der Poll T, Ramamoorthi N, Fikrig E, van Dam AP. Preferential Protection of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Stricto by a Salp 15 Homologue in Ixodes ricinus Saliva. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2008, 198: 1189-1197. PMID: 18752445, PMCID: PMC4317250, DOI: 10.1086/591917.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntibody-mediated killingB. burgdorferiB. afzeliiB. gariniiEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assaySole causative agentBorrelia burgdorferi sensu latoBorrelia speciesSevere carditisOuter surface protein CImmune miceControl miceBorrelia burgdorferi sensu strictoBurgdorferi sensu latoSurface protein CSurvival advantageBurgdorferi sensu strictoSolid-phase overlayLyme borreliosisImmunosorbent assayProtein CCausative agentIxodes ticksBurgdorferiMice
2007
IL-12/23p40-dependent clearance of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in the murine model of human anaplasmosis
Pedra JH, Tao J, Sutterwala FS, Sukumaran B, Berliner N, Bockenstedt LK, Flavell RA, Yin Z, Fikrig E. IL-12/23p40-dependent clearance of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in the murine model of human anaplasmosis. Pathogens And Disease 2007, 50: 401-410. PMID: 17521390, DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2007.00270.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIL-12/23p40Deficient miceT cellsImmune responseHuman anaplasmosisTh1 immune responseIFN-gamma productionDay 6 postinfectionAnaplasma phagocytophilumA. phagocytophilum burdenIL-23Dendritic cellsIL-12Neutrophil numbersIFN-gammaMurine modelMicrobial agonistsPathogen clearanceDependent clearanceInfectious diseasesEarly susceptibilityPathogen eliminationCausative agentA. phagocytophilumIndependent mechanisms
2003
Adaptation of Borrelia burgdorferi in the tick and the mammalian host
Anguita J, Hedrick MN, Fikrig E. Adaptation of Borrelia burgdorferi in the tick and the mammalian host. FEMS Microbiology Reviews 2003, 27: 493-504. PMID: 14550942, DOI: 10.1016/s0168-6445(03)00036-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMammalian hostsGene expressionRegulation of genesAdaptation of BorreliaGene productsDifferent environmentsArthropod vectorsEnzootic cycleCurrent knowledgeLife cycleHostExpressionCausative agentB. burgdorferiBorrelia burgdorferiGenesSpirochetesTicksBurgdorferiMicroorganismsGreater abilityRegulationLyme diseaseThorough understandingFunctionAdaptation 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 ResearchConceptsComplex 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
1995
Oral vaccination with an attenuated Salmonella typhimurium strain expressing Borrelia burgdorferi OspA prevents murine Lyme borreliosis
Dunne M, al-Ramadi BK, Barthold SW, Flavell RA, Fikrig E. Oral vaccination with an attenuated Salmonella typhimurium strain expressing Borrelia burgdorferi OspA prevents murine Lyme borreliosis. Infection And Immunity 1995, 63: 1611-1614. PMID: 7890431, PMCID: PMC173199, DOI: 10.1128/iai.63.4.1611-1614.1995.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAnti-OspA antibodyMurine Lyme borreliosisDevelopment of antibodiesMajor outer surface proteinsSalmonella typhimurium strainsOral vaccinationIntradermal challengeMouse modelAttenuated strainOuter surface proteinsHigh titersLyme borreliosisLyme diseaseBorrelia burgdorferiTyphimurium strainsCausative agentDiseaseAntibodiesSurface proteinsSalmonella typhimuriumGavageVaccinationMiceTitersBorreliosis
1993
Evasion of protective immunity by Borrelia burgdorferi by truncation of outer surface protein B.
Fikrig E, Tao H, Kantor FS, Barthold SW, Flavell RA. Evasion of protective immunity by Borrelia burgdorferi by truncation of outer surface protein B. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 1993, 90: 4092-4096. PMID: 7683420, PMCID: PMC46452, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.90.9.4092.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAmino Acid SequenceAnimalsAntibodiesAntibodies, MonoclonalAntigens, BacterialAntigens, SurfaceBacterial Outer Membrane ProteinsBase SequenceBorrelia burgdorferi GroupCloning, MolecularCodonEpitopesEscherichia coliFemaleFluorescent Antibody TechniqueGenes, BacterialHumansLyme DiseaseMiceMice, Inbred C3HPolymerase Chain ReactionRecombinant Fusion ProteinsRecombinant ProteinsRestriction MappingTicksVaccines, SyntheticViral VaccinesConceptsProtective immune responseVaccination immunityProtective immunityProtective antibodiesAntibody responseImmune destructionImmune responseHost defenseOuter surface proteinsLyme diseaseOuter surface protein BBorrelia burgdorferiCausative agentOspBMicePolyclonal antibodiesImmunityAntibodiesPresent studyStrain B31Surface proteinsProtein BPrevious studiesVaccinationOspB.
1992
Comparison of whole-cell antibodies and an antigenic flagellar epitope of Borrelia burgdorferi in serologic tests for diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis
Magnarelli LA, Fikrig E, Berland R, Anderson JF, Flavell RA. Comparison of whole-cell antibodies and an antigenic flagellar epitope of Borrelia burgdorferi in serologic tests for diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis. Journal Of Clinical Microbiology 1992, 30: 3158-3162. PMID: 1280650, PMCID: PMC270607, DOI: 10.1128/jcm.30.12.3158-3162.1992.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWhole-cell B. burgdorferiEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assayLyme borreliosisB. burgdorferiRecombinant flagellar proteinsBorrelia burgdorferiSecond study groupFlagellar epitopesErythema migransDetectable antibodiesSerologic testsTreponemal antibodiesRecombinant proteinsStudy groupImmunosorbent assayAntibodiesAntigenCausative agentAntigenic regionsBorreliosisBurgdorferiComparable sensitivityHuman serumMigransSerum