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 induction
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 Statements
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 ResearchConceptsVector immunityEvolutionary ecologyEvolutionary forcesEvolutionary ecologistsGenetic plasticityVector-borne pathogensArthropod populationsAbiotic factorsMolecular immunologistsMicrobial assaultImmune systemInnate defenseRecent scientific breakthroughsEcologyEcologistsImmune responsePathogenicityImmunityPathogensPlasticityDefenseToleranceResistanceScientific breakthroughs