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Thompson C, Waldron C, George S, Ouyang Z. Assessment of the hypothetical protein BB0616 in the murine infection of Borrelia burgdorferi. Infect Immun 2024; 92:e0009024. [PMID: 38700336 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00090-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
bb0616 of Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease pathogen, encodes a hypothetical protein of unknown function. In this study, we showed that BB0616 was not surface-exposed or associated with the membrane through localization analyses using proteinase K digestion and cell partitioning assays. The expression of bb0616 was influenced by a reduced pH but not by growth phases, elevated temperatures, or carbon sources during in vitro cultivation. A transcriptional start site for bb0616 was identified by using 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends, which led to the identification of a functional promoter in the 5' regulatory region upstream of bb0616. By analyzing a bb0616-deficient mutant and its isogenic complemented counterparts, we found that the infectivity potential of the mutant was significantly attenuated. The inactivation of bb0616 displayed no effect on borrelial growth in the medium or resistance to oxidative stress, but the mutant was significantly more susceptible to osmotic stress. In addition, the production of global virulence regulators such as BosR and RpoS as well as virulence-associated outer surface lipoproteins OspC and DbpA was reduced in the mutant. These phenotypes were fully restored when gene mutation was complemented with a wild-type copy of bb0616. Based on these findings, we concluded that the hypothetical protein BB0616 is required for the optimal infectivity of B. burgdorferi, potentially by impacting B. burgdorferi virulence gene expression as well as survival of the spirochete under stressful conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Thompson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Connor Waldron
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Sierra George
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Zhiming Ouyang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
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2
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Hart TM, Sonnert ND, Tang X, Chaurasia R, Allen PE, Hunt JR, Read CB, Johnson EE, Arora G, Dai Y, Cui Y, Chuang YM, Yu Q, Rahman MS, Mendes MT, Rolandelli A, Singh P, Tripathi AK, Ben Mamoun C, Caimano MJ, Radolf JD, Lin YP, Fingerle V, Margos G, Pal U, Johnson RM, Pedra JHF, Azad AF, Salje J, Dimopoulos G, Vinetz JM, Carlyon JA, Palm NW, Fikrig E, Ring AM. An atlas of human vector-borne microbe interactions reveals pathogenicity mechanisms. Cell 2024:S0092-8674(24)00532-4. [PMID: 38876107 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases are a leading cause of death worldwide and pose a substantial unmet medical need. Pathogens binding to host extracellular proteins (the "exoproteome") represents a crucial interface in the etiology of vector-borne disease. Here, we used bacterial selection to elucidate host-microbe interactions in high throughput (BASEHIT)-a technique enabling interrogation of microbial interactions with 3,324 human exoproteins-to profile the interactomes of 82 human-pathogen samples, including 30 strains of arthropod-borne pathogens and 8 strains of related non-vector-borne pathogens. The resulting atlas revealed 1,303 putative interactions, including hundreds of pairings with potential roles in pathogenesis, including cell invasion, tissue colonization, immune evasion, and host sensing. Subsequent functional investigations uncovered that Lyme disease spirochetes recognize epidermal growth factor as an environmental cue of transcriptional regulation and that conserved interactions between intracellular pathogens and thioredoxins facilitate cell invasion. In summary, this interactome atlas provides molecular-level insights into microbial pathogenesis and reveals potential host-directed targets for next-generation therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M Hart
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Nicole D Sonnert
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Xiaotian Tang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Reetika Chaurasia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Paige E Allen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Jason R Hunt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Curtis B Read
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Emily E Johnson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Gunjan Arora
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Yile Dai
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Yingjun Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Yu-Min Chuang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Qian Yu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - M Sayeedur Rahman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - M Tays Mendes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Agustin Rolandelli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Pallavi Singh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Abhai K Tripathi
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Choukri Ben Mamoun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Melissa J Caimano
- Department of Medicine, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA; Department of Pediatrics, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA; Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Justin D Radolf
- Department of Medicine, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA; Department of Pediatrics, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA; Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA; Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA; Department of Immunology, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Yi-Pin Lin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, USA
| | - Volker Fingerle
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Munich 85764, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Gabriele Margos
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Munich 85764, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Utpal Pal
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Raymond M Johnson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Joao H F Pedra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Abdu F Azad
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jeanne Salje
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK; Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
| | - George Dimopoulos
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Joseph M Vinetz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Laboratorio ICEMR-Amazonia, Laboratorios de Investigación Y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias Y Filosofia, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15102, Peru; Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander Von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15102, Peru
| | - Jason A Carlyon
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
| | - Noah W Palm
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
| | - Erol Fikrig
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
| | - Aaron M Ring
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98102, USA.
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Nowak TA, Burke RL, Diuk-Wasser MA, Lin YP. Lizards and the enzootic cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:1262-1272. [PMID: 38830767 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Emerging and re-emerging pathogens often stem from zoonotic origins, cycling between humans and animals, and are frequently vectored and maintained by hematophagous arthropod vectors. The efficiency by which these disease agents are successfully transmitted between vertebrate hosts is influenced by many factors, including the host on which a vector feeds. The Lyme disease bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato has adapted to survive in complex host environments, vectored by Ixodes ticks, and maintained in multiple vertebrate hosts. The versatility of Lyme borreliae in disparate host milieus is a compelling platform to investigate mechanisms dictating pathogen transmission through complex networks of vertebrates and ticks. Squamata, one of the most diverse clade of extant reptiles, is comprised primarily of lizards, many of which are readily fed upon by Ixodes ticks. Yet, lizards are one of the least studied taxa at risk of contributing to the transmission and life cycle maintenance of Lyme borreliae. In this review, we summarize the current evidence, spanning from field surveillance to laboratory infection studies, supporting their contributions to Lyme borreliae circulation. We also summarize the current understanding of divergent lizard immune responses that may explain the underlying molecular mechanisms to confer Lyme spirochete survival in vertebrate hosts. This review offers a critical perspective on potential enzootic cycles existing between lizard-tick-Borrelia interactions and highlights the importance of an eco-immunology lens for zoonotic pathogen transmission studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan A Nowak
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Russell L Burke
- Department of Biology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York, USA
| | - Maria A Diuk-Wasser
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yi-Pin Lin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York, USA
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA
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Bourgeois JS, McCarthy JE, Turk SP, Bernard Q, Clendenen LH, Wormser GP, Marcos LA, Dardick K, Telford SR, Marques AR, Hu LT. Peromyscus leucopus , Mus musculus , and humans have distinct transcriptomic responses to larval Ixodes scapularis bites. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.02.592193. [PMID: 38746284 PMCID: PMC11092580 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.02.592193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Ixodes scapularis ticks are an important vector for at least six tick-borne human pathogens, including the predominant North American Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi . The ability for these ticks to survive in nature is credited, in part, to their ability to feed on a variety of hosts without excessive activation of the proinflammatory branch of the vertebrate immune system. While the ability for nymphal ticks to feed on a variety of hosts has been well-documented, the host-parasite interactions between larval I. scapularis and different vertebrate hosts is relatively unexplored. Here we report on the changes in the vertebrate transcriptome present at the larval tick bite site using the natural I. scapularis host Peromyscus leucopus deermouse, a non-natural rodent host Mus musculus (BALB/c), and humans. We note substantially less evidence of activation of canonical proinflammatory pathways in P. leucopus compared to BALB/c mice and pronounced evidence of inflammation in humans. Pathway enrichment analyses revealed a particularly strong signature of interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin 1 signaling at the BALB/c and human tick bite site. We also note that bite sites on BALB/c mice and humans, but not deermice, show activation of wound-healing pathways. These data provide molecular evidence of the coevolution between larval I. scapularis and P. leucopus as well as expand our overall understanding of I. scapularis feeding. Significance Ixodes scapularis tick bites expose humans to numerous diseases in North America. While larval tick feeding enables pathogens to enter the tick population and eventually spread to humans, how larval ticks interact with mammals has been understudied compared to other tick stages. Here we examined the transcriptomic response of a natural I. scapularis rodent host ( Peromyscus leucopus ), a non-native I. scapularis rodent host ( Mus musculus ), and an incidental host (humans). We find that there are differences in how all three species respond to larval I. scapularis , with the natural host producing the smallest transcriptomic signature of a canonical proinflammatory immune response and the incidental human host producing the most robust signature of inflammation in response to the larval tick. These data expand our understanding of the pressures on ticks in the wild and inform our ability to model these interactions in laboratory settings.
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Abuin-Denis L, Piloto-Sardiñas E, Maître A, Wu-Chuang A, Mateos-Hernández L, Obregon D, Corona-González B, Fogaça AC, Palinauskas V, Aželytė J, Rodríguez-Mallon A, Cabezas-Cruz A. Exploring the impact of Anaplasma phagocytophilum on colonization resistance of Ixodes scapularis microbiota using network node manipulation. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2024; 5:100177. [PMID: 38765730 PMCID: PMC11098721 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Upon ingestion from an infected host, tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) have to overcome colonization resistance, a defense mechanism by which tick microbiota prevent microbial invasions. Previous studies have shown that the pathogen Anaplasma phagocytophilum alters the microbiota composition of the nymphs of Ixodes scapularis, but its impact on tick colonization resistance remains unclear. We analyzed tick microbiome genetic data using published Illumina 16S rRNA sequences, assessing microbial diversity within ticks (alpha diversity) through species richness, evenness, and phylogenetic diversity. We compared microbial communities in ticks with and without infection with A. phagocytophilum (beta diversity) using the Bray-Curtis index. We also built co-occurrence networks and used node manipulation to study the impact of A. phagocytophilum on microbial assembly and network robustness, crucial for colonization resistance. We examined network robustness by altering its connectivity, observing changes in the largest connected component (LCC) and the average path length (APL). Our findings revealed that infection with A. phagocytophilum does not significantly alter the overall microbial diversity in ticks. Despite a decrease in the number of nodes and connections within the microbial networks of infected ticks, certain core microbes remained consistently interconnected, suggesting a functional role. The network of infected ticks showed a heightened vulnerability to node removal, with smaller LCC and longer APL, indicating reduced resilience compared to the network of uninfected ticks. Interestingly, adding nodes to the network of infected ticks led to an increase in LCC and a decrease in APL, suggesting a recovery in network robustness, a trend not observed in networks of uninfected ticks. This improvement in network robustness upon node addition hints that infection with A. phagocytophilum might lower ticks' resistance to colonization, potentially facilitating further microbial invasions. We conclude that the compromised colonization resistance observed in tick microbiota following infection with A. phagocytophilum may facilitate co-infection in natural tick populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianet Abuin-Denis
- Animal Biotechnology Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Avenue 31 between 158 and 190, P.O. Box 6162, Havana, 10600, Cuba
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Elianne Piloto-Sardiñas
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
- Direction of Animal Health, National Center for Animal and Plant Health, Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado Postal 10, San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, 32700, Cuba
| | - Apolline Maître
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
- INRAE, UR 0045 Laboratoire de Recherches sur le Développement de l'Elevage (SELMET-LRDE), 20250, Corte, France
- EA 7310, Laboratoire de Virologie, Université de Corse, Corte, France
| | - Alejandra Wu-Chuang
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Lourdes Mateos-Hernández
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Dasiel Obregon
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Belkis Corona-González
- Direction of Animal Health, National Center for Animal and Plant Health, Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado Postal 10, San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, 32700, Cuba
| | - Andréa Cristina Fogaça
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-000, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Justė Aželytė
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Alina Rodríguez-Mallon
- Animal Biotechnology Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Avenue 31 between 158 and 190, P.O. Box 6162, Havana, 10600, Cuba
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
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Zhang MZ, Wang J, Du LF, He PJ, Jia N. The impact of volatiles on tick-host interaction and vector competence. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 62:101162. [PMID: 38237733 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2024.101162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Ticks are obligatory hematophagous arachnids, serving as vectors for a wide array of pathogens that can be transmitted to humans or animals. The ability of tick-borne pathogens to maintain within natural reservoirs is intricately influenced by the attractiveness of ticks to their animal hosts, including humans. However, the complex dynamics of tick behavior and host-seeking strategies remain understudied. This review aims to summarize the impact of volatiles or odors on tick behavior and vector competence. Our literature review has identified a selection of compounds, such as 1-octen-3-ol, hexanal, heptanal, nonanal, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, acetone, and octanal, as having the potential to impact both ticks' and mosquitos' behaviors. In addition, carbon dioxide (CO2) is a universal attractant for hematophagous arthropods. Moreover, we have gathered some clues indicating that volatiles emitted by infected animal hosts might play a role in the transmission of tick-borne pathogens. Nonetheless, our understanding of this phenomenon remains largely inadequate, particularly with regarding to whether the tick microbiome or the skin microbiota of the feeding mammals, including humans, can actively modulate tick-host-seeking behavior. Further investigations in this emerging field hold immense promise for the development of innovative strategies aimed at controlling vectors and curtailing the spread of tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Zhu Zhang
- Institute of EcoHealth, School of Public Health, Shandong University, 44 Wenhuaxi Street, Jinan 250012, Shandong, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, PR China
| | - Juan Wang
- School of Public Health and Health Management, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, PR China
| | - Li-Feng Du
- Institute of EcoHealth, School of Public Health, Shandong University, 44 Wenhuaxi Street, Jinan 250012, Shandong, PR China
| | - Pei-Jun He
- School of Public Health and Health Management, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, PR China
| | - Na Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, PR China.
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Wang Y, Xu Z, Zhang H, Zhou Y, Cao J, Zhang Y, Wang Z, Zhou J. Towards modelling tick-virus interactions using the weakly pathogenic Sindbis virus: Evidence that ticks are competent vectors. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1334351. [PMID: 38567020 PMCID: PMC10985168 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1334351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Most tick-borne viruses (TBVs) are highly pathogenic and require high biosecurity, which severely limits their study. We found that Sindbis virus (SINV), predominantly transmitted by mosquitoes, can replicate in ticks and be subsequently transmitted, with the potential to serve as a model for studying tick-virus interactions. We found that both larval and nymphal stages of Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides can be infected with SINV-wild-type (WT) when feeding on infected mice. SINV replicated in two species of ticks (R. haemaphysaloides and Hyalomma asiaticum) after infecting them by microinjection. Injection of ticks with SINV expressing enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (eGFP) revealed that SINV-eGFP specifically aggregated in the tick midguts for replication. During blood-feeding, SINV-eGFP migrated from the midguts to the salivary glands and was transmitted to a new host. SINV infection caused changes in expression levels of tick genes related to immune responses, substance transport and metabolism, cell growth and death. SINV mainly induced autophagy during the early stage of infection; with increasing time of infection, the level of autophagy decreased, while the level of apoptosis increased. During the early stages of infection, the transcript levels of immune-related genes were significantly upregulated, and then decreased. In addition, SINV induced changes in the transcription levels of some functional genes that play important roles in the interactions between ticks and tick-borne pathogens. These results confirm that the SINV-based transmission model between ticks, viruses, and mammals can be widely used to unravel the interactions between ticks and viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengmao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Houshuang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongzhi Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Cao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuqiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zedong Wang
- Center of Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Jinlin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
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8
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Wu-Chuang A, Rojas A, Bernal C, Cardozo F, Valenzuela A, Romero C, Mateos-Hernández L, Cabezas-Cruz A. Influence of microbiota-driven natural antibodies on dengue transmission. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1368599. [PMID: 38558802 PMCID: PMC10978734 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1368599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Dengue has had a significant global health impact, with a dramatic increase in incidence over the past 50 years, affecting more than 100 countries. The absence of a specific treatment or widely applicable vaccine emphasizes the urgent need for innovative strategies. This perspective reevaluates current evidence supporting the concept of dual protection against the dengue virus (DENV) through natural antibodies (NAbs), particularly anti-α-Gal antibodies induced by the host's gut microbiome (GM). These anti-α-Gal antibodies serve a dual purpose. Firstly, they can directly identify DENV, as mosquito-derived viral particles have been observed to carry α-Gal, thereby providing a safeguard against human infections. Secondly, they possess the potential to impede virus development in the vector by interacting with the vector's microbiome and triggering infection-refractory states. The intricate interplay between human GM and NAbs on one side and DENV and vector microbiome on the other suggests a novel approach, using NAbs to directly target DENV and simultaneously disrupt vector microbiome to decrease pathogen transmission and vector competence, thereby blocking DENV transmission cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Wu-Chuang
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR Virologie, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Alejandra Rojas
- Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, San Lorenzo, Paraguay
| | - Cynthia Bernal
- Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, San Lorenzo, Paraguay
| | - Fátima Cardozo
- Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, San Lorenzo, Paraguay
| | - Adriana Valenzuela
- Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, San Lorenzo, Paraguay
| | - Cristina Romero
- Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, San Lorenzo, Paraguay
| | - Lourdes Mateos-Hernández
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
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9
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de Souza WM, Weaver SC. Effects of climate change and human activities on vector-borne diseases. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024:10.1038/s41579-024-01026-0. [PMID: 38486116 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-024-01026-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases are transmitted by haematophagous arthropods (for example, mosquitoes, ticks and sandflies) to humans and wild and domestic animals, with the largest burden on global public health disproportionately affecting people in tropical and subtropical areas. Because vectors are ectothermic, climate and weather alterations (for example, temperature, rainfall and humidity) can affect their reproduction, survival, geographic distribution and, consequently, ability to transmit pathogens. However, the effects of climate change on vector-borne diseases can be multifaceted and complex, sometimes with ambiguous consequences. In this Review, we discuss the potential effects of climate change, weather and other anthropogenic factors, including land use, human mobility and behaviour, as possible contributors to the redistribution of vectors and spread of vector-borne diseases worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- William M de Souza
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Global Virus Network, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Scott C Weaver
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Global Virus Network, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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10
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Rosani U, Sollitto M, Fogal N, Salata C. Comparative analysis of Presence-Absence gene Variations in five hard tick species: impact and functional considerations. Int J Parasitol 2024; 54:147-156. [PMID: 37806426 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2023.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Tick species are vectors of harmful human and animal diseases, and their expansion is raising concerns under the global environmental changes' scenario. Ticks host and transmit bacteria, protozoa and viruses, making the understanding of host-pathogen molecular pathways critical to development of effective disease control strategies. Despite the considerable sizes and repeat contents of tick genomes, individual tick genomics is perhaps the most effective approach to reveal genotypic traits of interest. Presence-Absence gene Variations (PAVs) can contribute to individual differences within species, with dispensable genes carried by subsets of individuals possibly underpinning functional significance at individual or population-levels. We exploited 350 resequencing datasets of Dermacentor silvarum, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Ixodes persulcatus, Rhipicephalus microplus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus hard tick specimens to reveal the extension of PAV and the conservation of dispensable genes among individuals and, comparatively, between species. Overall, we traced 550-3,346 dispensable genes per species and were able to reconstruct 5.3-7 Mb of genomic regions not included in the respective reference genomes, as part of the tick pangenomes. Both dispensable genes and de novo predicted genes indicated that PAVs preferentially impacted mobile genetic elements in these tick species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umberto Rosani
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy.
| | - Marco Sollitto
- Department of Life Science, University of Trieste, 34100 Trieste, Italy; Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška 8, 6000 Koper, Slovenia
| | - Nicolò Fogal
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Cristiano Salata
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
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11
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Zhang JJ, Raghunandanan S, Wang Q, Priya R, Alanazi F, Lou Y, Yang XF. BadR directly represses the expression of the glycerol utilization operon in the Lyme disease pathogen. J Bacteriol 2024; 206:e0034023. [PMID: 38214528 PMCID: PMC10882987 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00340-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Glycerol utilization as a carbohydrate source by Borreliella burgdorferi, the Lyme disease spirochete, is critical for its successful colonization and persistence in the tick vector. The expression of the glpFKD (glp) operon, which encodes proteins for glycerol uptake/utilization, must be tightly regulated during the enzootic cycle of B. burgdorferi. Previous studies have established that the second messenger cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) is required for the activation of glp expression, while an alternative sigma factor RpoS acts as a negative regulator for glp expression. In the present study, we report identification of a cis element within the 5´ untranslated region of glp that exerts negative regulation of glp expression. Further genetic screen of known and predicted DNA-binding proteins encoded in the genome of B. burgdorferi uncovered that overexpressing Borrelia host adaptation regulator (BadR), a known global regulator, dramatically reduced glp expression. Similarly, the badR mutant significantly increased glp expression. Subsequent electrophoretic mobility shift assay analyses demonstrated that BadR directly binds to this cis element, thereby repressing glp independent of RpoS-mediated repression. The efficiency of BadR binding was further assessed in the presence of c-di-GMP and various carbohydrates. This finding highlights multi-layered positive and negative regulatory mechanisms employed by B. burgdorferi to synchronize glp expression throughout its enzootic cycle.IMPORTANCEBorreliella burgdorferi, the Lyme disease pathogen, must modulate its gene expression differentially to adapt successfully to its two disparate hosts. Previous studies have demonstrated that the glycerol uptake and utilization operon, glpFKD, plays a crucial role in spirochetal survival within ticks. However, the glpFKD expression must be repressed when B. burgdorferi transitions to the mammalian host. In this study, we identified a specific cis element responsible for the repression of glpFKD. We further pinpointed Borrelia host adaptation regulator as the direct binding protein to this cis element, thereby repressing glpFKD expression. This discovery paves the way for a deeper exploration of how zoonotic pathogens sense distinct hosts and switch their carbon source utilization during transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Jie Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Sajith Raghunandanan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Wenzhou People’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Raj Priya
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Fuad Alanazi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yongliang Lou
- Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Sanitary Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - X. Frank Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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Seo J, Kim G, Lim JA, Song S, Yoo DS, Cho HS, Oh Y. Tick Diversity and Pathogen Transmission in Daejeon, Korea: Implications from Companion Animals and Walking Trails. Vet Sci 2024; 11:90. [PMID: 38393108 PMCID: PMC10892892 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11020090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
With the ongoing global warming-induced climate change, there has been a surge in vector-borne diseases, particularly tick-borne diseases (TBDs). As the population of companion animals grows, there is growing concern from a One Health perspective about the potential for these animals to spread TBDs. In this study, ticks were collected from companion animals and the surrounding environment in Daejeon Metropolitan City, Korea, using flagging and dragging, and CO2 trap methods. These ticks were then subjected to conventional (nested) PCR for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Borrelia spp. We identified a total of 29,176 ticks, consisting of three genera and four species: H. longicornis, H. flava, I. nipponensis, and A. testudinarium. Notably, H. longicornis was the predominant species. The presence of A. testudinarium suggested that the species traditionally found in southern regions are migrating northward, likely as a result of climate change. Our PCR results confirmed the presence of all four pathogens in both companion animals and the surrounding environment, underscoring the potential for the indirect transmission of tick-borne pathogens to humans through companion animals. These findings emphasize the importance of the ongoing surveillance of companion animals in the management and control of TBDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinwoo Seo
- Division of Animal Health, Daejeon Institute of Health and Environment, Daejeon 34142, Republic of Korea; (J.S.); (J.-a.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Gyurae Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea;
| | - Jeong-ah Lim
- Division of Animal Health, Daejeon Institute of Health and Environment, Daejeon 34142, Republic of Korea; (J.S.); (J.-a.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Seungho Song
- Division of Animal Health, Daejeon Institute of Health and Environment, Daejeon 34142, Republic of Korea; (J.S.); (J.-a.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Dae-Sung Yoo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea;
| | - Ho-Seong Cho
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Bio-Safety Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Republic of Korea;
| | - Yeonsu Oh
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea;
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Chen YL, Lee J, Liu Z, Strych U, Bottazzi ME, Lin YP, Chen WH. Biophysical and biochemical characterization of a recombinant Lyme disease vaccine antigen, CspZ-YA. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 259:129295. [PMID: 38211914 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Lyme disease, caused by Lyme Borrelia spirochetes, is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States. Despite its global significance, with an estimated 14.5 % seroprevalence, there is currently no licensed vaccine. Previously, we demonstrated that CspZ-YA protein conferred protection against Lyme Borrelia infection, making it a promising vaccine candidate. However, such a protein was tagged with hexahistidine, and thus not preferred for vaccine development; furthermore, the formulation to stabilize the protein was understudied. In this work, we developed a two-step purification process for tag-free E. coli-expressed recombinant CspZ-YA. We further utilized various bioassays to analyze the protein and determine the suitable buffer system for long-term storage and formulation as a vaccine immunogen. The results indicated that a buffer with a pH between 6.5 and 8.5 stabilized CspZ-YA by reducing its surface hydrophobicity and colloidal interactions. Additionally, low pH values induced a change in local spatial conformation and resulted in a decrease in α-helix content. Lastly, an optimal salinity of 22-400 mM at pH 7.5 was found to be important for its stability. Collectively, this study provides a fundamental biochemical and biophysical understanding and insights into the ideal stabilizing conditions to produce CspZ-YA recombinant protein for use in vaccine formulation and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Lin Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jungsoon Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhuyun Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ulrich Strych
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - Yi-Pin Lin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Wadsworth Center, NYSDOH, Albany, NY, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, SUNY Albany, Albany, NY, USA.
| | - Wen-Hsiang Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, USA.
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14
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Yaş OB, Coleman AS, Lipman RM, Sharma K, Raghunandanan S, Alanazi F, Rana VS, Kitsou C, Yang X, Pal U. A systemic approach to identify non-abundant immunogenic proteins in Lyme disease pathogens. mSystems 2024; 9:e0108723. [PMID: 38078774 PMCID: PMC10805064 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01087-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Borrelia burgdorferi, the pathogen of Lyme disease, differentially produces many outer surface proteins (Osp), some of which represent the most abundant membrane proteins, such as OspA, OspB, and OspC. In cultured bacteria, these proteins can account for a substantial fraction of the total cellular or membrane proteins, posing challenges to the identification and analysis of non-abundant proteins, which could serve as novel pathogen detection markers or as vaccine candidates. Herein, we introduced serial mutations to remove these abundant Osps and generated a B. burgdorferi mutant deficient in OspA, OspB, and OspC in an infectious 297-isolate background, designated as OspABC- mutant. Compared to parental isolate, the mutant did not reflect growth defects in the cultured medium but showed differential mRNA expression of representative tested genes, in addition to gross changes in cellular and membrane protein profiles. The analysis of differentially detectable protein contents of the OspABC- mutant, as compared to the wild type, by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, identified several spirochete proteins that are dominated by proteins of unknown functions, as well as membrane transporters, chaperons, and metabolic enzymes. We produced recombinant forms of two of these represented proteins, BBA34 and BB0238, and showed that these proteins are detectable during spirochete infection in the tick-borne murine model of Lyme borreliosis and thus serve as potential antigenic markers of the infection.IMPORTANCEThe present manuscript employed a systemic approach to identify non-abundant proteins in cultured Borrelia burgdorferi that are otherwise masked or hidden due to the overwhelming presence of abundant Osps like OspA, OspB, and OspC. As these Osps are either absent or transiently expressed in mammals, we performed a proof-of-concept study in which their removal allowed the analysis of otherwise less abundant antigens in OspABC-deficient mutants and identified several immunogenic proteins, including BBA34 and BB0238. These antigens could serve as novel vaccine candidates and/or genetic markers of Lyme borreliosis, promoting new research in the clinical diagnosis and prevention of Lyme disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozlem Buyuktanir Yaş
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Adam S. Coleman
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Rachel M. Lipman
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Kavita Sharma
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Sajith Raghunandanan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Fuad Alanazi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Vipin S. Rana
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Chrysoula Kitsou
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Xiuli Yang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Utpal Pal
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
- Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, College Park, Maryland, USA
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15
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Kumaresan V, Ingle TM, Kilgore N, Zhang G, Hermann BP, Seshu J. Cellular and transcriptome signatures unveiled by single-cell RNA-Seq following ex vivo infection of murine splenocytes with Borrelia burgdorferi. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1296580. [PMID: 38149246 PMCID: PMC10749944 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1296580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Lyme disease, the most common tick-borne infectious disease in the US, is caused by a spirochetal pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). Distinct host responses are observed in susceptible and resistant strains of inbred of mice following infection with Bb reflecting a subset of inflammatory responses observed in human Lyme disease. The advent of post-genomic methodologies and genomic data sets enables dissecting the host responses to advance therapeutic options for limiting the pathogen transmission and/or treatment of Lyme disease. Methods In this study, we used single-cell RNA-Seq analysis in conjunction with mouse genomics exploiting GFP-expressing Bb to sort GFP+ splenocytes and GFP- bystander cells to uncover novel molecular and cellular signatures that contribute to early stages of immune responses against Bb. Results These data decoded the heterogeneity of splenic neutrophils, macrophages, NK cells, B cells, and T cells in C3H/HeN mice in response to Bb infection. Increased mRNA abundance of apoptosis-related genes was observed in neutrophils and macrophages clustered from GFP+ splenocytes. Moreover, complement-mediated phagocytosis-related genes such as C1q and Ficolin were elevated in an inflammatory macrophage subset, suggesting upregulation of these genes during the interaction of macrophages with Bb-infected neutrophils. In addition, the role of DUSP1 in regulating the expression of Casp3 and pro-inflammatory cytokines Cxcl1, Cxcl2, Il1b, and Ccl5 in Bb-infected neutrophils were identified. Discussion These findings serve as a growing catalog of cell phenotypes/biomarkers among murine splenocytes that can be exploited for limiting spirochetal burden to limit the transmission of the agent of Lyme disease to humans via reservoir hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkatesh Kumaresan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Taylor MacMackin Ingle
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Nathan Kilgore
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Guoquan Zhang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Brian P. Hermann
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Janakiram Seshu
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
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Nabbout AE, Ferguson LV, Miyashita A, Adamo SA. Female ticks (Ixodes scapularis) infected with Borrelia burgdorferi have increased overwintering survival, with implications for tick population growth. INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 30:1798-1809. [PMID: 37147777 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The tick, Ixodes scapularis, vectors pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. Over the last few decades I. scapularis has expanded its range, introducing a novel health threat into these areas. Warming temperatures appear to be one cause of its range expansion to the north. However, other factors are also involved. We show that unfed adult female ticks infected with B. burgdorferi have greater overwintering survival than uninfected female ticks. Locally collected adult female ticks were placed in individual microcosms and allowed to overwinter in both forest and dune grass environments. In the spring we collected the ticks and tested both dead and living ticks for B. burgdorferi DNA. Infected ticks had greater overwintering survival compared with uninfected ticks every winter for three consecutive winters in both forest and dune grass environments. We discuss the most plausible explanations for this result. The increased winter survival of adult female ticks could enhance tick population growth. Our results suggest that, in addition to climate change, B. burgdorferi infection itself may be promoting the northern range expansion of I. scapularis. Our study highlights how pathogens could work synergistically with climate change to promote host range expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal El Nabbout
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Laura V Ferguson
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - Shelley A Adamo
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Strnad M, Rudenko N, Rego RO. Pathogenicity and virulence of Borrelia burgdorferi. Virulence 2023; 14:2265015. [PMID: 37814488 PMCID: PMC10566445 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2265015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with Borrelia burgdorferi often triggers pathophysiologic perturbations that are further augmented by the inflammatory responses of the host, resulting in the severe clinical conditions of Lyme disease. While our apprehension of the spatial and temporal integration of the virulence determinants during the enzootic cycle of B. burgdorferi is constantly being improved, there is still much to be discovered. Many of the novel virulence strategies discussed in this review are undetermined. Lyme disease spirochaetes must surmount numerous molecular and mechanical obstacles in order to establish a disseminated infection in a vertebrate host. These barriers include borrelial relocation from the midgut of the feeding tick to its body cavity and further to the salivary glands, deposition to the skin, haematogenous dissemination, extravasation from blood circulation system, evasion of the host immune responses, localization to protective niches, and establishment of local as well as distal infection in multiple tissues and organs. Here, the various well-defined but also possible novel strategies and virulence mechanisms used by B. burgdorferi to evade obstacles laid out by the tick vector and usually the mammalian host during colonization and infection are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Strnad
- Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská, Czech Republic
| | - Natalie Rudenko
- Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Ryan O.M. Rego
- Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská, Czech Republic
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18
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Tang X, Lynn GE, Cui Y, Cerny J, Arora G, Tomayko MM, Craft J, Fikrig E. Bulk and single-nucleus RNA sequencing highlight immune pathways induced in individuals during an Ixodes scapularis tick bite. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0028223. [PMID: 37846980 PMCID: PMC10652856 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00282-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks are hematophagous arthropods that use a complex mixture of salivary proteins to evade host defenses while taking a blood meal. Little is known about the immunological and physiological consequences of tick feeding on humans. Here, we performed the first bulk and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) of skin and blood of four persons presenting with naturally acquired, attached Ixodes scapularis ticks. Pathways and individual genes associated with innate and adaptive immunity were identified based on bulk RNA sequencing, including interleukin-17 signaling and platelet activation pathways at the site of tick attachment or in peripheral blood. snRNA-seq further revealed that the Hippo signaling, cell adhesion, and axon guidance pathways were involved in the response to an I. scapularis bite in humans. Features of the host response in these individuals also overlapped with that of laboratory guinea pigs exposed to I. scapularis and which acquired resistance to ticks. These findings offer novel insights for the development of new biomarkers for I. scapularis exposure and anti-tick vaccines for human use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Tang
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Geoffrey E. Lynn
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yingjun Cui
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jiri Cerny
- Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Praha-Suchdol, Czechia
| | - Gunjan Arora
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Mary M. Tomayko
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Joseph Craft
- Section of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Erol Fikrig
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Kozelková T, Dyčka F, Lu S, Urbanová V, Frantová H, Sojka D, Šíma R, Horn M, Perner J, Kopáček P. Insight Into the Dynamics of the Ixodes ricinus Nymphal Midgut Proteome. Mol Cell Proteomics 2023; 22:100663. [PMID: 37832788 PMCID: PMC10665701 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2023.100663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks are ectoparasites that feed on blood and have an impressive ability to consume and process enormous amounts of host blood, allowing extremely long periods of starvation between blood meals. The central role in the parasitic lifestyle of ticks is played by the midgut. This organ efficiently stores and digests ingested blood and serves as the primary interface for the transmission of tick-borne pathogens. In this study, we used a label-free quantitative approach to perform a novel dynamic proteomic analysis of the midgut of Ixodesricinus nymphs, covering their development from unfed to pre-molt stages. We identified 1534 I. ricinus-specific proteins with a relatively low proportion of host proteins. This proteome dataset, which was carefully examined by manual scrutiny, allowed precise annotation of proteins important for blood meal processing and their dynamic changes during nymphal ontogeny. We focused on midgut molecules related to lipid hydrolysis, storage, and transport, opening a yet unexplored avenue for studying lipid metabolism in ticks. Further dynamic profiling of the tick's multi-enzyme digestive network, protease inhibitors, enzymes involved in redox homeostasis and detoxification, antimicrobial peptides, and proteins responsible for midgut colonization by Borrelia spirochetes promises to uncover new targets for targeting tick nymphs, the most critical life stage for transmission the pathogens that cause tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Kozelková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Dyčka
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Stephen Lu
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Veronika Urbanová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Helena Frantová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Sojka
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Šíma
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Bioptic Laboratory, Ltd, Plzen, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Horn
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Perner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
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20
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Sze CW, Zhang K, Lynch MJ, Iyer R, Crane BR, Schwartz I, Li C. A chemosensory-like histidine kinase is dispensable for chemotaxis in vitro but regulates the virulence of Borrelia burgdorferi through modulating the stability of RpoS. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011752. [PMID: 38011206 PMCID: PMC10703414 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
As an enzootic pathogen, the Lyme disease bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi possesses multiple copies of chemotaxis proteins, including two chemotaxis histidine kinases (CHK), CheA1 and CheA2. Our previous study showed that CheA2 is a genuine CHK that is required for chemotaxis; however, the role of CheA1 remains mysterious. This report first compares the structural features that differentiate CheA1 and CheA2 and then provides evidence to show that CheA1 is an atypical CHK that controls the virulence of B. burgdorferi through modulating the stability of RpoS, a key transcriptional regulator of the spirochete. First, microscopic analyses using green-fluorescence-protein (GFP) tags reveal that CheA1 has a unique and dynamic cellular localization. Second, loss-of-function studies indicate that CheA1 is not required for chemotaxis in vitro despite sharing a high sequence and structural similarity to its counterparts from other bacteria. Third, mouse infection studies using needle inoculations show that a deletion mutant of CheA1 (cheA1mut) is able to establish systemic infection in immune-deficient mice but fails to do so in immune-competent mice albeit the mutant can survive at the inoculation site for up to 28 days. Tick and mouse infection studies further demonstrate that CheA1 is dispensable for tick colonization and acquisition but essential for tick transmission. Lastly, mechanistic studies combining immunoblotting, protein turnover, mutagenesis, and RNA-seq analyses reveal that depletion of CheA1 affects RpoS stability, leading to reduced expression of several RpoS-regulated virulence factors (i.e., OspC, BBK32, and DbpA), likely due to dysregulated clpX and lon protease expression. Bulk RNA-seq analysis of infected mouse skin tissues further show that cheA1mut fails to elicit mouse tnf-α, il-10, il-1β, and ccl2 expression, four important cytokines for Lyme disease development and B. burgdorferi transmigration. Collectively, these results reveal a unique role and regulatory mechanism of CheA1 in modulating virulence factor expression and add new insights into understanding the regulatory network of B. burgdorferi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching Wooen Sze
- Department of Oral Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Oral Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Michael J. Lynch
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Radha Iyer
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, United States of America
| | - Brian R. Crane
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Ira Schwartz
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, United States of America
| | - Chunhao Li
- Department of Oral Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
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21
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Sang MK, Patnaik HH, Park JE, Song DK, Jeong JY, Hong CE, Kim YT, Shin HJ, Ziwei L, Hwang HJ, Park SY, Kang SW, Park SH, Cha SJ, Ko JH, Shin EH, Park HS, Jo YH, Han YS, Patnaik BB, Lee YS. Transcriptome analysis of Haemaphysalis flava female using Illumina HiSeq 4000 sequencing: de novo assembly, functional annotation and discovery of SSR markers. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:367. [PMID: 37848984 PMCID: PMC10583488 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05923-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks are ectoparasites capable of directly damaging their hosts and transmitting vector-borne diseases. The ixodid tick Haemaphysalis flava has a broad distribution that extends from East to South Asia. This tick is a reservoir of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) that causes severe hemorrhagic disease, with cases reported from China, Japan and South Korea. Recently, the distribution of H. flava in South Korea was found to overlap with the occurrence of SFTSV. METHODS This study was undertaken to discover the molecular resources of H. flava female ticks using the Illumina HiSeq 4000 system, the Trinity de novo sequence assembler and annotation against public databases. The locally curated Protostome database (PANM-DB) was used to screen the putative adaptation-related transcripts classified to gene families, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme, aquaporin, adenylate cyclase, AMP-activated protein kinase, glutamate receptors, heat shock proteins, molecular chaperones, insulin receptor, mitogen-activated protein kinase and solute carrier family proteins. Also, the repeats and simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were screened from the unigenes using RepeatMasker (v4.0.6) and MISA (v1.0) software tools, followed by the designing of SSRs flanking primers using BatchPrimer 3 (v1.0) software. RESULTS The transcriptome produced a total of 69,822 unigenes, of which 46,175 annotated to the homologous proteins in the PANM-DB. The unigenes were also mapped to the EuKaryotic Orthologous Groups (KOG), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) specializations. Promiscuous presence of protein kinase, zinc finger (C2H2-type), reverse transcriptase, and RNA recognition motif domains was observed in the unigenes. A total of 3480 SSRs were screened, of which 1907 and 1274 were found as tri- and dinucleotide repeats, respectively. A list of primer sequences flanking the SSR motifs was detailed for validation of polymorphism in H. flava and the related tick species. CONCLUSIONS The reference transcriptome information on H. flava female ticks will be useful for an enriched understanding of tick biology, its competency to act as a vector and the study of species diversity related to disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Kyu Sang
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
- Research Support Center for Bio-Bigdata Analysis and Utilization of Biological Resources, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - Hongray Howrelia Patnaik
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - Jie Eun Park
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
- Research Support Center for Bio-Bigdata Analysis and Utilization of Biological Resources, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - Dae Kwon Song
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
- Research Support Center for Bio-Bigdata Analysis and Utilization of Biological Resources, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - Jun Yang Jeong
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - Chan Eui Hong
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - Yong Tae Kim
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - Hyeon Jun Shin
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - Liu Ziwei
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - Hee Ju Hwang
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - So Young Park
- Biodiversity Research Team, Animal & Plant Research Department, Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources, Sangju, Gyeongbuk, South Korea
| | - Se Won Kang
- Biological Resource Center (BRC), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup, Jeonbuk, South Korea
| | - Seung-Hwan Park
- Biological Resource Center (BRC), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup, Jeonbuk, South Korea
| | - Sung-Jae Cha
- Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jung Ho Ko
- Police Science Institute, Korean National Police University, Asan, Chungnam, 31539, South Korea
| | - E Hyun Shin
- Research Institute, Korea Pest Control Association, Seoul, 08501, South Korea
| | - Hong Seog Park
- Research Institute, GnC BIO Co., LTD., 621-6 Banseok-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34069, South Korea
| | - Yong Hun Jo
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - Yeon Soo Han
- College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, 61186, South Korea
| | - Bharat Bhusan Patnaik
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Chungnam, South Korea
- PG Department of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Fakir Mohan University, Nuapadhi, Balasore , Odisha, 756089, India
| | - Yong Seok Lee
- Korea Native Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute (KNAR), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea.
- Research Support Center for Bio-Bigdata Analysis and Utilization of Biological Resources, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam, South Korea.
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Chungnam, South Korea.
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22
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Tonk-Rügen M, Zając Z, Cabezas-Cruz A. Can Tick Microbiome Explain Nonlinear Relationship between Tick Abundance and Lyme Disease Incidence? Pathogens 2023; 12:1229. [PMID: 37887745 PMCID: PMC10610533 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12101229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) are hematophagous ectoparasitic arachnids that feed on the blood of vertebrate hosts, posing significant concern due to their unrivaled capacity to transmit various pathogens, which surpasses those of all other known arthropod vectors [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Miray Tonk-Rügen
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Zbigniew Zając
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11 St., 20-080 Lublin, Poland
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
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23
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Quiroz-Castañeda RE, Aguilar-Díaz H, Amaro-Estrada I. An alternative vaccine target for bovine Anaplasmosis based on enolase, a moonlighting protein. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1225873. [PMID: 37808115 PMCID: PMC10556744 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1225873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery of new targets for preventing bovine anaplasmosis has moved away from focusing on proteins that have already been extensively studied in Anaplasma marginale, including the Major Surface Proteins, Outer Membrane Proteins, and Type IV Secretion System proteins. An alternative is moonlighting or multifunctional proteins, capable of performing various biological functions within various cellular compartments. There are several reports on the role of moonlighting proteins as virulence factors in various microorganisms. Moreover, it is known that about 25% of all moonlighting is involved in the virulence of pathogens. In this work, for the first time, we present the identification of three enolase proteins (AmEno01, AmEno15, and AmEno31) in the genome of Mexican strains of A. marginale. Using bioinformatics tools, we predicted the catalytic domains, enolase signature, and amino acids binding magnesium ion of the catalytic domain and performed a phylogenetic reconstruction. In addition, by molecular docking analysis, we found that AmEno01 would bind to erythrocyte proteins spectrin, ankyrin, and stomatin. This adhesion function has been reported for enolases from other pathogens. It is considered a promising target since blocking this function would impede the fundamental adhesion process that facilitates the infection of erythrocytes. Additionally, molecular docking predicts that AmEno01 could bind to extracellular matrix protein fibronectin, which would be significant if we consider that some proteins with fibronectin domains are localized in tick gut cells and used as an adhesion strategy to gather bacteria before traveling to salivary glands. Derived from the molecular docking analysis of AmEno01, we hypothesized that enolases could be proteins driven by the pathogen and redirected at the expense of the pathogen's needs.
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24
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Genné D, Jiricka W, Sarr A, Voordouw MJ. Tick-to-host transmission differs between Borrelia afzelii strains. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0167523. [PMID: 37676027 PMCID: PMC10580945 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01675-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Many vector-borne pathogens establish multiple-strain infections in the vertebrate host and the arthropod vector. Multiple-strain infections in the host influence strain acquisition by naive vectors. Whether multiple-strain infections in the vector influence strain-specific transmission to naive hosts remains unknown. The spirochete, Borrelia afzelii, causes Lyme borreliosis and multiple-strain infections are common in both the tick vector and vertebrate host. Our study used two B. afzelii strains: Fin-Jyv-A3 and NE4049. Donor mice were infected with Fin-Jyv-A3 alone, NE4049 alone, or with both strains. Larval ticks fed on donor mice and molted into nymphal ticks infected with either strain or both strains. These nymphs were fed on test mice to determine whether multiple-strain infections in the nymph influence nymph-to-host transmission (NHT). Multiple-strain infection in the donor mice reduced the acquisition of both strains by ticks by 23%. Thus, a substantial fraction of infected nymphs from the multiple strain treatment were infected with the "wrong" competitor strain rather than the "right" focal strain. As a result, nymphs from the multiple strain treatment were 46% less likely to infect the test mice with the focal strain compared to nymphs from the single strain treatment. However, multiple-strain infection in the nymphal tick had no effect on the NHT of either strain. The nymphal spirochete load of Fin-Jyv-A3 was 1.9 times higher compared to NE4049. NHT of Fin-Jyv-A3 (79%) was 1.5 times higher compared to NE4049 (53%). Our study suggests that B. afzelii strains with higher nymphal spirochete loads have higher NHT. IMPORTANCE For many vector-borne pathogens, multiple-strain infections in the vertebrate host or arthropod vector are common. Multiple-strain infections in the host reduce strain acquisition by feeding vectors. Whether multiple-strain infections in the vector influence strain transmission to the host remains unknown. In our study, we used two strains of the tick-borne spirochete Borrelia afzelii, which causes Lyme borreliosis, to investigate whether multiple-strain infections in the nymphal tick influenced nymph-to-host transmission (NHT) of strains. Multiple-strain infections in mice reduced the acquisition of both B. afzelii strains by nymphal ticks. As a result, nymphs from the multiple strain treatment were less likely to infect naive test mice with the focal strain. Multiple-strain infection in the nymphal ticks did not influence the NHT of either strain. The strain with the higher bacterial abundance in the nymph had higher NHT. Our study suggests that pathogen abundance in the arthropod vector is important for vector-to-host transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dolores Genné
- Laboratory of Ecology and Evolution of Parasites, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Whitney Jiricka
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Anouk Sarr
- Laboratory of Ecology and Evolution of Parasites, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Maarten J. Voordouw
- Laboratory of Ecology and Evolution of Parasites, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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25
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Rolandelli A, Laukaitis-Yousey HJ, Bogale HN, Singh N, Samaddar S, O’Neal AJ, Ferraz CR, Butnaru M, Mameli E, Xia B, Mendes MT, Butler LR, Marnin L, Cabrera Paz FE, Valencia LM, Rana VS, Skerry C, Pal U, Mohr SE, Perrimon N, Serre D, Pedra JH. Tick hemocytes have pleiotropic roles in microbial infection and arthropod fitness. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.31.555785. [PMID: 37693411 PMCID: PMC10491215 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.31.555785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Uncovering the complexity of systems in non-model organisms is critical for understanding arthropod immunology. Prior efforts have mostly focused on Dipteran insects, which only account for a subset of existing arthropod species in nature. Here, we describe immune cells or hemocytes from the clinically relevant tick Ixodes scapularis using bulk and single cell RNA sequencing combined with depletion via clodronate liposomes, RNA interference, Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats activation (CRISPRa) and RNA-fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). We observe molecular alterations in hemocytes upon tick infestation of mammals and infection with either the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi or the rickettsial agent Anaplasma phagocytophilum. We predict distinct hemocyte lineages and reveal clusters exhibiting defined signatures for immunity, metabolism, and proliferation during hematophagy. Furthermore, we perform a mechanistic characterization of two I. scapularis hemocyte markers: hemocytin and astakine. Depletion of phagocytic hemocytes affects hemocytin and astakine levels, which impacts blood feeding and molting behavior of ticks. Hemocytin specifically affects the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway, whereas astakine alters hemocyte proliferation in I. scapularis. Altogether, we uncover the heterogeneity and pleiotropic roles of hemocytes in ticks and provide a valuable resource for comparative biology in arthropods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustin Rolandelli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hanna J. Laukaitis-Yousey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Haikel N. Bogale
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Nisha Singh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sourabh Samaddar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Anya J. O’Neal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Camila R. Ferraz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Matthew Butnaru
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
| | - Enzo Mameli
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology, National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Baolong Xia
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - M. Tays Mendes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - L. Rainer Butler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Liron Marnin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Francy E. Cabrera Paz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Luisa M. Valencia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Vipin S. Rana
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Ciaran Skerry
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Utpal Pal
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Stephanie E. Mohr
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Norbert Perrimon
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
| | - David Serre
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Joao H.F. Pedra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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26
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Abstract
Haematophagous arthropods, including mosquitoes, ticks, flies, triatomine bugs and lice (here referred to as vectors), are involved in the transmission of various pathogens to mammals on whom they blood feed. The diseases caused by these pathogens, collectively known as vector-borne diseases (VBDs), threaten the health of humans and animals. Although the vector arthropods differ in life histories, feeding behaviour as well as reproductive strategies, they all harbour symbiotic microorganisms, known as microbiota, on which they depend for completing essential aspects of their biology, such as development and reproduction. In this Review, we summarize the shared and unique key features of the symbiotic associations that have been characterized in the major vector taxa. We discuss the crosstalks between microbiota and their arthropod hosts that influence vector metabolism and immune responses relevant for pathogen transmission success, known as vector competence. Finally, we highlight how current knowledge on symbiotic associations is being explored to develop non-chemical-based alternative control methods that aim to reduce vector populations, or reduce vector competence. We conclude by highlighting the remaining knowledge gaps that stand to advance basic and translational aspects of vector-microbiota interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China.
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China.
| | - Li Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Serap Aksoy
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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27
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Matias J, Cui Y, Tang X, Sajid A, Arora G, Wu MJ, DePonte K, Muramatsu H, Tam YK, Narasimhan S, Pardi N, Weissman D, Fikrig E. Specific mRNA lipid nanoparticles and acquired resistance to ticks. Vaccine 2023; 41:4996-5002. [PMID: 37407406 PMCID: PMC10530371 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.06.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Acquired resistance to ticks can develop when animals are repeatedly exposed to ticks. Recently, acquired resistance to Ixodes scapularis was induced in guinea pigs immunized with an mRNA-lipid nanoparticle vaccine (19ISP) encoding 19 I. scapularis proteins. Here, we evaluated specific mRNAs present in 19ISP to identify critical components associated with resistance to ticks. A lipid nanoparticle containing 12 mRNAs which included all the targets within 19ISP that elicited strong humoral responses in guinea pigs, was sufficient to induce robust resistance to ticks. Lipid nanoparticles containing fewer mRNAs or a single mRNA were not able to generate strong resistance to ticks. All lipid nanoparticles containing salp14 mRNA, however, were associated with increased redness at the tick bite site - which is the first manifestation of acquired resistance to ticks. This study demonstrates that more than one I. scapularis target within 19ISP is required for resistance to ticks, and that additional targets may also play a role in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaqueline Matias
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| | - Yingjun Cui
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Xiaotian Tang
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Andaleeb Sajid
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Gunjan Arora
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Ming-Jie Wu
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Kathleen DePonte
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Hiromi Muramatsu
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ying K Tam
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Sukanya Narasimhan
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Norbert Pardi
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Drew Weissman
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Erol Fikrig
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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28
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Wu-Chuang A, Mateos-Hernandez L, Maitre A, Rego ROM, Šíma R, Porcelli S, Rakotobe S, Foucault-Simonin A, Moutailler S, Palinauskas V, Aželytė J, Sǐmo L, Obregon D, Cabezas-Cruz A. Microbiota perturbation by anti-microbiota vaccine reduces the colonization of Borrelia afzelii in Ixodes ricinus. MICROBIOME 2023; 11:151. [PMID: 37482606 PMCID: PMC10364381 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01599-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks can transmit a broad variety of pathogens of medical importance, including Borrelia afzelii, the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis in Europe. Tick microbiota is an important factor modulating, not only vector physiology, but also the vector competence. Anti-microbiota vaccines targeting keystone taxa of tick microbiota can alter tick feeding and modulate the taxonomic and functional profiles of bacterial communities in the vector. However, the impact of anti-microbiota vaccine on tick-borne pathogen development within the vector has not been tested. RESULTS Here, we characterized the Ixodes ricinus microbiota modulation in response to B. afzelii infection and found that the pathogen induces changes in the microbiota composition, its beta diversity and structure of bacterial community assembly. Tick microbiota perturbation by anti-microbiota antibodies or addition of novel commensal bacteria into tick midguts causes departures from the B. afzelii-induced modulation of tick microbiota which resulted in a lower load of the pathogen in I. ricinus. Co-occurrence networks allowed the identification of emergent properties of the bacterial communities which better defined the Borrelia infection-refractory states of the tick microbiota. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that Borrelia is highly sensitive to tick microbiota perturbations and that departure from the modulation induced by the pathogen in the vector microbiota pose a high cost to the spirochete. Network analysis emerges as a suitable tool to identify emergent properties of the vector microbiota associated with infection-refractory states. Anti-microbiota vaccines can be used as a tool for microbiota perturbation and control of important vector-borne pathogens. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Wu-Chuang
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Apolline Maitre
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Ryan O M Rego
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Šíma
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Biopticka Laborator S.R.O, Plzen, Czech Republic
| | - Stefania Porcelli
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sabine Rakotobe
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Angélique Foucault-Simonin
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sara Moutailler
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | | | - Justė Aželytė
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 09412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Ladislav Sǐmo
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Dasiel Obregon
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France.
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29
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Bhadra S, Esteve-Gasent MD, Ellington AD. Analysis of macerated ticks using Boolean logic gating colorimetric isothermal nucleic acid assays for Lyme Borrelia and Ixodes scapularis ticks. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11439. [PMID: 37454160 PMCID: PMC10349842 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38452-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease, one of the most common tickborne diseases, has been rapidly spreading in parallel with the expansion of the range of its tick vector. Better tick surveillance efforts are needed to accurately estimate disease risk and to guide public health and clinical management. We have developed two multiplex loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) reactions coupled with oligonucleotide strand displacement (OSD) probes to identify the tick host, Ixodes scapularis, and the Lyme disease pathogen, Borrelia burgdorferi, they carry. In each multiplex LAMP-OSD assay the co-presence of two target sequences is computed at the DNA level by linking the two corresponding amplicons and detecting the co-product on colorimetric lateral flow dipsticks. In tests with synthetic DNA, the co-presence of as few as four copies of input DNA could be detected, without producing spurious signals. Most importantly, though, the LAMP-OSD assay is amenable to being carried out directly with macerated tick samples, without any sample preparation. In such field conditions, assays performed robustly and demonstrated 97-100% sensitivity and 100% specificity with both field-collected and lab-raised artificially infected ticks. Such easy-to-use, arthropod and pathogen-specific assays would be well suited to field and near patient use without relying on complex instrumentation or infrastructure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanchita Bhadra
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
- Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
| | - Maria D Esteve-Gasent
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Andrew D Ellington
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
- Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
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30
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Sapiro AL, Hayes BM, Volk RF, Zhang JY, Brooks DM, Martyn C, Radkov A, Zhao Z, Kinnersley M, Secor PR, Zaro BW, Chou S. Longitudinal map of transcriptome changes in the Lyme pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi during tick-borne transmission. eLife 2023; 12:RP86636. [PMID: 37449477 PMCID: PMC10393048 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), the causative agent of Lyme disease, adapts to vastly different environments as it cycles between tick vector and vertebrate host. During a tick bloodmeal, Bb alters its gene expression to prepare for vertebrate infection; however, the full range of transcriptional changes that occur over several days inside of the tick are technically challenging to capture. We developed an experimental approach to enrich Bb cells to longitudinally define their global transcriptomic landscape inside nymphal Ixodes scapularis ticks during a transmitting bloodmeal. We identified 192 Bb genes that substantially change expression over the course of the bloodmeal from 1 to 4 days after host attachment. The majority of upregulated genes encode proteins found at the cell envelope or proteins of unknown function, including 45 outer surface lipoproteins embedded in the unusual protein-rich coat of Bb. As these proteins may facilitate Bb interactions with the host, we utilized mass spectrometry to identify candidate tick proteins that physically associate with Bb. The Bb enrichment methodology along with the ex vivo Bb transcriptomes and candidate tick interacting proteins presented here provide a resource to facilitate investigations into key determinants of Bb priming and transmission during the tick stage of its unique transmission cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne L Sapiro
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Beth M Hayes
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Regan F Volk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Jenny Y Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Diane M Brooks
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of MontanaMissoulaUnited States
| | - Calla Martyn
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Atanas Radkov
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Ziyi Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Margie Kinnersley
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of MontanaMissoulaUnited States
| | - Patrick R Secor
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of MontanaMissoulaUnited States
| | - Balyn W Zaro
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Seemay Chou
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
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31
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Fernández-Ruiz N, Pinecki-Socias S, Estrada-Peña A, Wu-Chuang A, Maitre A, Obregón D, Cabezas-Cruz A, de Blas I, Nijhof AM. Decontamination protocols affect the internal microbiota of ticks. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:189. [PMID: 37286996 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05812-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies on the microbiota of ticks have promoted hypotheses about the combined effects of the bacterial community, its functional contributions to the tick's physiology or probable competition effects with some tick-borne pathogens. However, knowledge on the origin of the microbiota of newly hatched larvae is missing. This study aimed to elucidate the source(s) of the microbiota in unfed tick larvae, addressing the composition of the "core microbiota" and the best ways to decontaminate eggs for microbiota studies. We applied laboratory degree bleach washes and/or ultraviolet light treatments on engorged Rhipicephalus australis females and/or their eggs. No significant effects of these treatments on the reproductive parameters of females and the hatching rates of eggs were observed. However, the different treatments did show striking effects on the composition of the microbiota. The results indicated that bleach washes disrupted the internal tick microbiota in females, implying that bleach may have entered the tick and subsequently affected the microbiota. Furthermore, the analyses of results demonstrated that the ovary is a main source of tick microbiota, while the contribution of Gené's organ (a part of the female reproductive system that secretes a protective wax coat onto tick eggs) or the male's spermatophore requires further investigation. Further studies are needed to identify best practice protocols for the decontamination of ticks for microbiota studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Fernández-Ruiz
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain.
- Group of Research on Emerging Zoonoses, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2), 50013, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Sophia Pinecki-Socias
- Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Agustín Estrada-Peña
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
- Group of Research on Emerging Zoonoses, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2), 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Alejandra Wu-Chuang
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Apolline Maitre
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Dasiel Obregón
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Ignacio de Blas
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ard M Nijhof
- Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163, Berlin, Germany
- Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163, Berlin, Germany
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32
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Frederick JC, Thompson AT, Sharma P, Dharmarajan G, Ronai I, Pesapane R, Smith RC, Sundstrom KD, Tsao JI, Tuten HC, Yabsley MJ, Glenn TC. Phylogeography of the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) throughout the USA identifies candidate loci for differences in vectorial capacity. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:3133-3149. [PMID: 36912202 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
The blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis (Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1821, 2, 59)) is a vector of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.) (International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology, 1984, 34, 496), the causative bacterial agent of Lyme disease, part of a slow-moving epidemic of Lyme borreliosis spreading across the northern hemisphere. Well-known geographical differences in the vectorial capacity of these ticks are associated with genetic variation. Despite the need for detailed genetic information in this disease system, previous phylogeographical studies of these ticks have been restricted to relatively few populations or few genetic loci. Here we present the most comprehensive phylogeographical study of genome-wide markers in I. scapularis, conducted by using 3RAD (triple-enzyme restriction-site associated sequencing) and surveying 353 ticks from 33 counties throughout the species' range. We found limited genetic variation among populations from the Northeast and Upper Midwest, where Lyme disease is most common, and higher genetic variation among populations from the South. We identify five spatially associated genetic clusters of I. scapularis. In regions where Lyme disease is increasing in frequency, the I. scapularis populations genetically group with ticks from historically highly Lyme-endemic regions. Finally, we identify 10 variable DNA sites that contribute the most to population differentiation. These variable sites cluster on one of the chromosome-scale scaffolds for I. scapularis and are within identified genes. Our findings illuminate the need for additional research to identify loci causing variation in the vectorial capacity of I. scapularis and where additional tick sampling would be most valuable to further understand disease trends caused by pathogens transmitted by I. scapularis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia C Frederick
- Department of Environmental Health Science, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602, USA
| | - Alec T Thompson
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602, USA
- Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, Odom School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602, USA
| | - Prisha Sharma
- Department of Environmental Health Science, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602, USA
| | - Guha Dharmarajan
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina, 29808, USA
- Division of Sciences, School of Interwoven Arts and Sciences, Krea University, Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Isobel Ronai
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, USA
| | - Risa Pesapane
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
| | - Ryan C Smith
- Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, 50011, USA
| | - Kellee D Sundstrom
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 74078, USA
| | - Jean I Tsao
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, USA
| | - Holly C Tuten
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois, 61820, USA
| | - Michael J Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602, USA
- Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, Odom School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602, USA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602, USA
| | - Travis C Glenn
- Department of Environmental Health Science, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602, USA
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602, USA
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33
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Samaddar S, O’Neal AJ, Marnin L, Rolandelli A, Singh N, Wang X, Butler LR, Rangghran P, Laukaitis HJ, Cabrera Paz FE, Fiskum GM, Polster BM, Pedra JHF. Metabolic disruption impacts tick fitness and microbial relationships. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.26.542501. [PMID: 37292783 PMCID: PMC10245996 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.26.542501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Arthropod-borne microbes rely on the metabolic state of a host to cycle between evolutionarily distant species. For instance, arthropod tolerance to infection may be due to redistribution of metabolic resources, often leading to microbial transmission to mammals. Conversely, metabolic alterations aids in pathogen elimination in humans, who do not ordinarily harbor arthropod-borne microbes. To ascertain the effect of metabolism on interspecies relationships, we engineered a system to evaluate glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation in the tick Ixodes scapularis. Using a metabolic flux assay, we determined that the rickettsial bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum and the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, which are transstadially transmitted in nature, induced glycolysis in ticks. On the other hand, the endosymbiont Rickettsia buchneri, which is transovarially maintained, had a minimal effect on I. scapularis bioenergetics. Importantly, the metabolite β-aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA) was elevated during A. phagocytophilum infection of tick cells following an unbiased metabolomics approach. Thus, we manipulated the expression of genes associated with the catabolism and anabolism of BAIBA in I. scapularis and detected impaired feeding on mammals, reduced bacterial acquisition, and decreased tick survival. Collectively, we reveal the importance of metabolism for tick-microbe relationships and unveil a valuable metabolite for I. scapularis fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourabh Samaddar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA
| | - Anya J. O’Neal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA
| | - Liron Marnin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA
| | - Agustin Rolandelli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA
| | - Nisha Singh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA
| | - L. Rainer Butler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA
| | - Parisa Rangghran
- Department of Anesthesiology and Center for Shock, Trauma and Anesthesiology Research, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Hanna J. Laukaitis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA
| | - Francy E. Cabrera Paz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA
| | - Gary M. Fiskum
- Department of Anesthesiology and Center for Shock, Trauma and Anesthesiology Research, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Brian M. Polster
- Department of Anesthesiology and Center for Shock, Trauma and Anesthesiology Research, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Joao H. F. Pedra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA
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34
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O’Neal A, Singh N, Rolandelli A, Laukaitis HJ, Wang X, Shaw D, Young B, Narasimhan S, Dutta S, Snyder G, Samaddar S, Marnin L, Butler L, Mendes M, Cabrera Paz F, Valencia L, Sundberg E, Fikrig E, Pal U, Weber D, Pedra J. Croquemort elicits activation of the immune deficiency pathway in ticks. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2208673120. [PMID: 37155900 PMCID: PMC10193931 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2208673120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune deficiency (IMD) pathway directs host defense in arthropods upon bacterial infection. In Pancrustacea, peptidoglycan recognition proteins sense microbial moieties and initiate nuclear factor-κB-driven immune responses. Proteins that elicit the IMD pathway in non-insect arthropods remain elusive. Here, we show that an Ixodes scapularis homolog of croquemort (Crq), a CD36-like protein, promotes activation of the tick IMD pathway. Crq exhibits plasma membrane localization and binds the lipid agonist 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol. Crq regulates the IMD and jun N-terminal kinase signaling cascades and limits the acquisition of the Lyme disease spirochete B. burgdorferi. Additionally, nymphs silenced for crq display impaired feeding and delayed molting to adulthood due to a deficiency in ecdysteroid synthesis. Collectively, we establish a distinct mechanism for arthropod immunity outside of insects and crustaceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anya J. O’Neal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - Nisha Singh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - Agustin Rolandelli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - Hanna J. Laukaitis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - Dana K. Shaw
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA99164
| | - Brianna D. Young
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - Sukanya Narasimhan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510
| | - Shraboni Dutta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, MD20742
| | - Greg A. Snyder
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - Sourabh Samaddar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - Liron Marnin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - L. Rainer Butler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - M. Tays Mendes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - Francy E. Cabrera Paz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - Luisa M. Valencia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - Eric J. Sundberg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
| | - Erol Fikrig
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510
| | - Utpal Pal
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, MD20742
| | - David J. Weber
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - Joao H. F. Pedra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
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Che Lah EF, Ahamad M, Dmitry A, Md Zain BM, Yaakop S. Metagenomic profile of the bacterial communities associated with Ixodes granulatus (Acari: Ixodidae): a potential vector of tick-borne diseases. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023:7131392. [PMID: 37075471 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjad044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Ixodes granulatus Supino, 1897 (Acari: Ixodida) is one of Malaysia's most common hard ticks and is a potential vector for tick-borne diseases (TBDs). Despite its great public health importance, research on I. granulatus microbial communities remains largely unexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the bacterial communities of on-host I. granulatus collected from three different recreational areas on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia using high throughput Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). A total of 9 females on-host I. granulatus were subjected to metabarcoding analysis targeting V3-V4 regions of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) using the Illumina MiSeq platform. This study identified 15 bacterial phyla corresponding to 19 classes, 54 orders, and 90 families from 435 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), revealing a diverse bacterial community profile. Together with 130 genera assigned, local I. granulatus harbored 4 genera of pathogens, i.e., Rickettsia da Rocha Lima, 1916 (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) (58.6%), Borrelia Swellengrebel 1907 (Spirochaetales: Borreliaceae) (31.6%), Borreliella Adeolu and Gupta 2015 (Spirochaetales: Borreliaceae) (0.6%), and Ehrlichia Cowdria Moshkovski 1947 (Rickettsiales: Ehrlichiaceae) (39.9%). Some endosymbiont bacteria, such as Coxiella (Philip, 1943) (Legionellales: Coxiellaceae), Wolbachia Hertig 1936 (Rickettsiales: Ehrlichiaceae), and Rickettsiella Philip, 1956 (Legionellales: Coxiellaceae), were also detected at very low abundance. Interestingly, this study reported the co-infection of Borrelia and Ehrlichia for the first time, instilling potential health concerns in the context of co-transmission to humans, especially in areas with a high population of I. granulatus. This study successfully characterized the tick microbiome and provided the first baseline data of I. granulatus bacterial communities in Malaysia. These results support the need for way-forward research on tick-associated bacteria using NGS, focusing on medically important species toward TBD prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernieenor Faraliana Che Lah
- Acarology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research (IMR), National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Seksyen U13, Setia Alam, Shah Alam, Selangor 40170, Malaysia
- Centre for Insect Systematics, Department of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor 43600, Malaysia
| | - Mariana Ahamad
- Acarology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research (IMR), National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Seksyen U13, Setia Alam, Shah Alam, Selangor 40170, Malaysia
| | - Apanaskevich Dmitry
- United States National Tick Collection, The James H. Oliver, Jr. Institute for Coastal Plain Science, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460-8042, USA
| | - Badrul Munir Md Zain
- Centre for Insect Systematics, Department of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor 43600, Malaysia
| | - Salmah Yaakop
- Centre for Insect Systematics, Department of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor 43600, Malaysia
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36
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Sze CW, Li C. Chemotaxis Coupling Protein CheW 2 Is Not Required for the Chemotaxis but Contributes to the Full Pathogenicity of Borreliella burgdorferi. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0000823. [PMID: 36939335 PMCID: PMC10112267 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00008-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The bacterial chemotaxis regulatory circuit mainly consists of coupling protein CheW, sensor histidine kinase CheA, and response regulator CheY. Most bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, have a single gene encoding each of these proteins. Interestingly, the Lyme disease pathogen, Borreliella burgdorferi, has multiple chemotaxis proteins, e.g., two CheA, three CheW, and three CheY proteins. The genes encoding these proteins mainly reside in two operons: cheW2-cheA1-cheB2-cheY2 (A-I) and cheA2-cheW3-cheX-cheY3 (A-II). Previous studies demonstrate that all the genes in A-II are essential for the chemotaxis of B. burgdorferi; however, the role of those genes in A-I remains unknown. This study aimed to fill this gap using the CheW2 gene, the first gene in A-I, as a surrogate. We first mapped the transcription start site of A-I upstream of cheW2 and identified a σ70-like promoter (PW2) and two binding sites (BS1 and BS2) of BosR, an unorthodox Fur/Per homolog. We then demonstrated that BosR binds to PW2 via BS1 and BS2 and that deletion of bosR significantly represses the expression of cheW2 and other genes in A-I, implying that BosR is a positive regulator of A-I. Deletion of cheW2 has no impact on the chemotaxis of B. burgdorferi in vitro but abrogates its ability to evade host adaptive immunity, because the mutant can establish systemic infection only in SCID mice and not in immunocompetent BALB/c mice. This report substantiates the previous proposition that A-I is not implicated in chemotaxis; rather, it may function as a signaling transduction pathway to regulate B. burgdorferi virulence gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching Wooen Sze
- Department of Oral Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Chunhao Li
- Department of Oral Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Ebohon O, Hart BA, Jutras BL. Vertebrate-arthropod communication dictates tick development and pathogen transmission. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:325-327. [PMID: 36958955 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Cross-species communication drives the coordination of diverse biological processes in complex systems. Rana et al. discovered that Ixodes scapularis, the tick vector of Lyme disease, produces a receptor that binds host interferon-gamma (IFNγ) in the blood meal, which orchestrates tick development, immunity, and vector competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osamudiamen Ebohon
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA; Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA; Center for Emerging, Zoonotic and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Brittany A Hart
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA; Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Brandon L Jutras
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA; Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA; Center for Emerging, Zoonotic and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
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38
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Čorak N, Anniko S, Daschkin-Steinborn C, Krey V, Koska S, Futo M, Široki T, Woichansky I, Opašić L, Kifer D, Tušar A, Maxeiner HG, Domazet-Lošo M, Nicolaus C, Domazet-Lošo T. Pleomorphic Variants of Borreliella (syn. Borrelia) burgdorferi Express Evolutionary Distinct Transcriptomes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065594. [PMID: 36982667 PMCID: PMC10057712 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Borreliella (syn. Borrelia) burgdorferi is a spirochete bacterium that causes tick-borne Lyme disease. Along its lifecycle B. burgdorferi develops several pleomorphic forms with unclear biological and medical relevance. Surprisingly, these morphotypes have never been compared at the global transcriptome level. To fill this void, we grew B. burgdorferi spirochete, round body, bleb, and biofilm-dominated cultures and recovered their transcriptomes by RNAseq profiling. We found that round bodies share similar expression profiles with spirochetes, despite their morphological differences. This sharply contrasts to blebs and biofilms that showed unique transcriptomes, profoundly distinct from spirochetes and round bodies. To better characterize differentially expressed genes in non-spirochete morphotypes, we performed functional, positional, and evolutionary enrichment analyses. Our results suggest that spirochete to round body transition relies on the delicate regulation of a relatively small number of highly conserved genes, which are located on the main chromosome and involved in translation. In contrast, spirochete to bleb or biofilm transition includes substantial reshaping of transcription profiles towards plasmids-residing and evolutionary young genes, which originated in the ancestor of Borreliaceae. Despite their abundance the function of these Borreliaceae-specific genes is largely unknown. However, many known Lyme disease virulence genes implicated in immune evasion and tissue adhesion originated in this evolutionary period. Taken together, these regularities point to the possibility that bleb and biofilm morphotypes might be important in the dissemination and persistence of B. burgdorferi inside the mammalian host. On the other hand, they prioritize the large pool of unstudied Borreliaceae-specific genes for functional characterization because this subset likely contains undiscovered Lyme disease pathogenesis genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Čorak
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička Cesta 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sirli Anniko
- BCA-Research, BCA-Clinic Betriebs GmbH & Co. KG, D-86159 Augsburg, Germany
- Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK
| | | | - Viktoria Krey
- BCA-Research, BCA-Clinic Betriebs GmbH & Co. KG, D-86159 Augsburg, Germany
- Physics of Synthetic Biological Systems-E14, Physics Department and ZNN, Technische Universität München, D-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Sara Koska
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička Cesta 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Momir Futo
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička Cesta 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, University of Zagreb, Unska 3, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, Ilica 242, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tin Široki
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, University of Zagreb, Unska 3, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Luka Opašić
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička Cesta 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Domagoj Kifer
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, A. Kovačića 1, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anja Tušar
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička Cesta 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Horst-Günter Maxeiner
- BCA-Research, BCA-Clinic Betriebs GmbH & Co. KG, D-86159 Augsburg, Germany
- Comlamed, Friedrich-Bergius Ring 15, D-97076 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mirjana Domazet-Lošo
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, University of Zagreb, Unska 3, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Carsten Nicolaus
- BCA-Research, BCA-Clinic Betriebs GmbH & Co. KG, D-86159 Augsburg, Germany
| | - Tomislav Domazet-Lošo
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička Cesta 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, Ilica 242, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Correspondence:
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39
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Luan Y, Gou J, Zhong D, Ma L, Yin C, Shu M, Liu G, Lin Q. The Tick-Borne Pathogens: An Overview of China's Situation. Acta Parasitol 2023; 68:1-20. [PMID: 36642777 PMCID: PMC9841149 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00658-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks are important medical arthropods that can transmit hundreds of pathogens, such as parasites, bacteria, and viruses, leading to serious public health burdens worldwide. Unexplained fever is the most common clinical manifestation of tick-borne diseases. Since the emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases led to the hospital overload and fewer laboratory tests for tick-borne diseases. Therefore, it is essential to review the tick-borne pathogens and further understand tick-borne diseases. PURPOSE The geographic distribution and population of ticks in the Northern hemisphere have expanded while emerging tick-borne pathogens have been introduced to China continuously. This paper focused on the tick-borne pathogens that are threatening public health in the world. Their medical significant tick vectors, as well as the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control measures, are emphasized in this document. METHODS In this study, all required data were collected from articles indexed in English databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. RESULTS Ticks presented a great threat to the economy and public health. Although both infections by tick-borne pathogens and SARS-CoV-2 have fever symptoms, the history of tick bite and its associated symptoms such as encephalitis or eschar could be helpful for the differential diagnosis. Additionally, as a carrier of vector ticks, migratory birds may play a potential role in the geographical expansion of ticks and tick-borne pathogens during seasonal migration. CONCLUSION China should assess the risk score of vector ticks and clarify the potential role of migratory birds in transmitting ticks. Additionally, the individual and collective protection, vector control, comprehensive surveillance, accurate diagnosis, and symptomatic treatment should be carried out, to meet the challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Luan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.,School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jingmin Gou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongjie Zhong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Li Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuansong Yin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Minfeng Shu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Guangyuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, Gansu, China
| | - Qing Lin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China. .,State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, Gansu, China.
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40
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Cleveland DW, Anderson CC, Brissette CA. Borrelia miyamotoi: A Comprehensive Review. Pathogens 2023; 12:267. [PMID: 36839539 PMCID: PMC9967256 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Borrelia miyamotoi is an emerging tick-borne pathogen in the Northern Hemisphere and is the causative agent of Borrelia miyamotoi disease (BMD). Borrelia miyamotoi is vectored by the same hard-bodied ticks as Lyme disease Borrelia, yet phylogenetically groups with relapsing fever Borrelia, and thus, has been uniquely labeled a hard tick-borne relapsing fever Borrelia. Burgeoning research has uncovered new aspects of B. miyamotoi in human patients, nature, and the lab. Of particular interest are novel findings on disease pathology, prevalence, diagnostic methods, ecological maintenance, transmission, and genetic characteristics. Herein, we review recent literature on B. miyamotoi, discuss how findings adapt to current Borrelia doctrines, and briefly consider what remains unknown about B. miyamotoi.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Catherine A. Brissette
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA
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41
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Wachter J, Cheff B, Hillman C, Carracoi V, Dorward DW, Martens C, Barbian K, Nardone G, Renee Olano L, Kinnersley M, Secor PR, Rosa PA. Coupled induction of prophage and virulence factors during tick transmission of the Lyme disease spirochete. Nat Commun 2023; 14:198. [PMID: 36639656 PMCID: PMC9839762 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-35897-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The alternative sigma factor RpoS plays a central role in the critical host-adaptive response of the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. We previously identified bbd18 as a negative regulator of RpoS but could not inactivate bbd18 in wild-type spirochetes. In the current study we employed an inducible bbd18 gene to demonstrate the essential nature of BBD18 for viability of wild-type spirochetes in vitro and at a unique point in vivo. Transcriptomic analyses of BBD18-depleted cells demonstrated global induction of RpoS-dependent genes prior to lysis, with the absolute requirement for BBD18, both in vitro and in vivo, circumvented by deletion of rpoS. The increased expression of plasmid prophage genes and the presence of phage particles in the supernatants of lysing cultures indicate that RpoS regulates phage lysis-lysogeny decisions. Through this work we identify a mechanistic link between endogenous prophages and the RpoS-dependent adaptive response of the Lyme disease spirochete.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Wachter
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA. .,Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
| | - Britney Cheff
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Chad Hillman
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Valentina Carracoi
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - David W Dorward
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Research Technologies Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Craig Martens
- Genomics Unit, Research Technologies Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Kent Barbian
- Genomics Unit, Research Technologies Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Glenn Nardone
- Protein Chemistry Section, Research Technologies Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - L Renee Olano
- Protein Chemistry Section, Research Technologies Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Margie Kinnersley
- Division of Biological Sciences, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Patrick R Secor
- Division of Biological Sciences, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Patricia A Rosa
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
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42
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Sykes JE. Tick-Borne Diseases. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2023; 53:141-154. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2022.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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43
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A Retrospective Study with a Commercial Vaccine against Lyme Borreliosis in Dogs Using Two Different Vaccination Schedules: Characterization of the Humoral Immune Response. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 11:vaccines11010043. [PMID: 36679888 PMCID: PMC9867253 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11010043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis, a multisystemic disease caused by spirochetes of the genus Borrelia, is the most common tick-borne disease in the northern hemisphere. Differently from human medicine, several vaccines are available for dogs. To provide the best protection possible, vaccination schemes should be adapted regularly to meet the needs resulting from an increased tick exposure risk due to an inescapable climate change. In this retrospective study, a total of 183 vaccinations were performed with a commercial, multivalent vaccine against Lyme borreliosis, and vaccinated dogs were monitored over an observation period of 13 months. Dogs were either vaccinated on days 0 and 21 and a booster on day 365 (standard vaccination schedule), or with an additional booster vaccination on day 180. Canine serum samples were then tested for their borrelia-specific antibody levels using a two-tiered test system consisting of a kinetic ELISA followed by a line immunoassay. Dogs vaccinated with the standard vaccination schedule displayed decreasing antibody levels between days 120 and 360, which is probably insufficient to prevent an infection with borreliae. In contrast, the additional booster vaccination received on day 180 intercepts this decline in antibody levels between days 225 and 360, providing a sufficient immunity to prevent infection. The results from this retrospective study allow us to recommend a basic vaccination schedule with an additional booster vaccination on day 180 to ensure the best possible protection for dogs against Lyme borreliosis.
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Che TL, Jiang BG, Xu Q, Zhang YQ, Lv CL, Chen JJ, Tian YJ, Yang Y, Hay SI, Liu W, Fang LQ. Mapping the risk distribution of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in China from 1986 to 2020: a geospatial modelling analysis. Emerg Microbes Infect 2022; 11:1215-1226. [PMID: 35411829 PMCID: PMC9067995 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2065930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis, recognized as one of the most important tick-borne diseases worldwide, has been increasing in incidence and spatial extent. Currently, there are few geographic studies about the distribution of Lyme borreliosis risk across China. Here we established a nationwide database that involved Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B. burgdorferi) detected in humans, vectors, and animals in China. The eco-environmental factors that shaped the spatial pattern of B. burgdorferi were identified by using a two-stage boosted regression tree model and the model-predicted risks were mapped. During 1986−2020, a total of 2,584 human confirmed cases were reported in 25 provinces. Borrelia burgdorferi was detected from 35 tick species with the highest positive rates in Ixodes granulatus, Hyalomma asiaticum, Ixodes persulcatus, and Haemaphysalis concinna ranging 20.1%−24.0%. Thirteen factors including woodland, NDVI, rainfed cropland, and livestock density were determined as important drivers for the probability of B. burgdorferi occurrence based on the stage 1 model. The stage 2 model identified ten factors including temperature seasonality, NDVI, and grasslands that were the main determinants used to distinguish areas at high or low-medium risk of B. burgdorferi, interpreted as potential occurrence areas within the area projected by the stage 1 model. The projected high-risk areas were not only concentrated in high latitude areas, but also were distributed in middle and low latitude areas. These high-resolution evidence-based risk maps of B. burgdorferi was first created in China and can help as a guide to future surveillance and control and help inform disease burden and infection risk estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Le Che
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Bao-Gui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Qi Zhang
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Research Center on Fictitious Economy and Data Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen-Long Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin-Jin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying-Jie Tian
- Research Center on Fictitious Economy and Data Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,School of Economics and Management, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health and Health Professions, and Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Simon I Hay
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Qun Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Tang X, Arora G, Matias J, Hart T, Cui Y, Fikrig E. A tick C1q protein alters infectivity of the Lyme disease agent by modulating interferon γ. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111673. [PMID: 36417869 PMCID: PMC9909562 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In North America, the Lyme disease agent, Borrelia burgdorferi, is commonly transmitted by the black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis. Tick saliva facilitates blood feeding and enhances pathogen survival and transmission. Here, we demonstrate that I. scapularis complement C1q-like protein 3 (IsC1ql3), a tick salivary protein, directly interacts with B. burgdorferi and is important during the initial stage of spirochetal infection of mice. Mice fed upon by B. burgdorferi-infected IsC1ql3-silenced ticks, or IsC1ql3-immunized mice fed upon by B. burgdorferi-infected ticks, have a lower spirochete burden during the early phase of infection compared with control animals. Mechanically, IsC1ql3 interacts with the globular C1q receptor present on the surface of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, resulting in decreased production of interferon γ. IsC1ql3 is a C1q-domain-containing protein identified in arthropod vectors and has an important role in B. burgdorferi infectivity as the spirochete transitions from the tick to vertebrate host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Tang
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Gunjan Arora
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jaqueline Matias
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Thomas Hart
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yingjun Cui
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Erol Fikrig
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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Adegoke A, Kumar D, Budachetri K, Karim S. Hematophagy and tick-borne Rickettsial pathogen shape the microbial community structure and predicted functions within the tick vector, Amblyomma maculatum. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1037387. [PMID: 36478675 PMCID: PMC9719966 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1037387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks are the primary vectors of emerging and resurging pathogens of public health significance worldwide. Analyzing tick bacterial composition, diversity, and functionality across developmental stages and tissues is crucial for designing new strategies to control ticks and prevent tick-borne diseases. Materials and methods Here, we explored the microbial communities across the developmental timeline and in different tissues of the Gulf-Coast ticks (Amblyomma maculatum). Using a high-throughput sequencing approach, the influence of blood meal and Rickettsia parkeri, a spotted fever group rickettsiae infection in driving changes in microbiome composition, diversity, and functionality was determined. Results This study shows that the core microbiome of Am. maculatum comprises ten core bacterial genera. The genus Rickettsia, Francisella, and Candidatus_Midichloria are the key players, with positive interactions within each developmental stage and adult tick organ tested. Blood meal and Rickettsia parkeri led to an increase in the bacterial abundance in the tissues. According to functional analysis, the increase in bacterial numbers is positively correlated to highly abundant energy metabolism orthologs with blood meal. Correlation analysis identified an increase in OTUs identified as Candidatus Midichloria and a subsequent decrease in Francisella OTUs in Rickettsia parkeri infected tick stages and tissues. Results demonstrate the abundance of Rickettsia and Francisella predominate in the core microbiome of Am. maculatum, whereas Candidatus_Midichloria and Cutibacterium prevalence increase with R. parkeri-infection. Network analysis and functional annotation suggest that R. parkeri interacts positively with Candidatus_Midichloria and negatively with Francisella. Conclusion We conclude that tick-transmitted pathogens, such as R. parkeri establishes infection by interacting with the core microbiome of the tick vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulsalam Adegoke
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
| | - Deepak Kumar
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
| | - Khemraj Budachetri
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Shahid Karim
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
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Guizzo MG, Budachetri K, Adegoke A, Ribeiro JMC, Karim S. Rickettsia parkeri infection modulates the sialome and ovariome of the Gulf coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1023980. [PMID: 36439862 PMCID: PMC9684213 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1023980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum, is a vector of several tick-borne pathogens, including Rickettsia parkeri. The ability of R. parkeri to persist within the tick population through transovarial and transstadial transmission, without apparently harming the ticks, contributes to the pathogen's perpetuation in the tick population. Previous studies have shown that the R. parkeri load in A. maculatum is regulated by the tick tissues' oxidant/antioxidant balance and the non-pathogenic tick microbiome. To obtain further insights into the interaction between tick and pathogen, we performed a bulk RNA-Seq for differential transcriptomic analysis of ovaries and salivary glands from R. parkeri-infected and uninfected ticks over the feeding course on a host. The most differentially expressed functional category was of bacterial origin, exhibiting a massive overexpression of bacterial transcripts in response to the R. parkeri infection. Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii and bacteria from the genus Rickettsia were mainly responsible for the overexpression of bacterial transcripts. Host genes were also modulated in R. parkeri-infected tick organs. A similar number of host transcripts from all analyzed functional categories was negatively and positively modulated, revealing a global alteration of the A. maculatum transcriptome in response to pathogen infection. R. parkeri infection led to an increase in salivary transcripts involved in blood feeding success as well as a decrease in ovarian immune transcripts. We hypothesize that these transcriptional alterations facilitate pathogen persistence and transmission within tick population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Garcia Guizzo
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Khemraj Budachetri
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
| | - Abdulsalam Adegoke
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
| | - Jose M. C. Ribeiro
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Shahid Karim
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
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Narasimhan S, Rajeevan N, Graham M, Wu MJ, DePonte K, Marion S, Masson O, O'Neal AJ, Pedra JHF, Sonenshine DE, Fikrig E. Tick transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi to the murine host is not influenced by environmentally acquired midgut microbiota. MICROBIOME 2022; 10:173. [PMID: 36253842 PMCID: PMC9575305 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-022-01378-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ixodes scapularis is the predominant tick vector of Borrelia burgdorferi, the agent of Lyme disease, in the USA. Molecular interactions between the tick and B. burgdorferi orchestrate the migration of spirochetes from the midgut to the salivary glands-critical steps that precede transmission to the vertebrate host. Over the last decade, research efforts have invoked a potential role for the tick microbiome in modulating tick-pathogen interactions. RESULTS Using multiple strategies to perturb the microbiome composition of B. burgdorferi-infected nymphal ticks, we observe that changes in the microbiome composition do not significantly influence B. burgdorferi migration from the midgut, invasion of salivary glands, or transmission to the murine host. We also show that within 24 and 48 h of the onset of tick feeding, B. burgdorferi spirochetes are within the peritrophic matrix and epithelial cells of the midgut in preparation for exit from the midgut. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights two aspects of tick-spirochete interactions: (1) environmental bacteria associated with the tick do not influence spirochete transmission to the mammalian host and (2) the spirochete may utilize an intracellular exit route during migration from the midgut to the salivary glands, a strategy that may allow the spirochete to distance itself from microbiota in the midgut lumen effectively. This may explain in part, the inability of environment-acquired midgut microbiota to significantly influence spirochete transmission. Unraveling a molecular understanding of this exit strategy will be critical to gain new insights into the biology of the spirochete and the tick. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukanya Narasimhan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, USA.
| | | | - Morven Graham
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06420, USA
| | - Ming-Jie Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, USA
| | - Kathleen DePonte
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, USA
| | - Solenne Marion
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, USA
- Current address: Roche Diagnostics International, 6343, Rotkreuz, Switzerland
| | - Orlanne Masson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, USA
| | - Anya J O'Neal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Joao H F Pedra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Daniel E Sonenshine
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Erol Fikrig
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, USA
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Socarras KM, Haslund-Gourley BS, Cramer NA, Comunale MA, Marconi RT, Ehrlich GD. Large-Scale Sequencing of Borreliaceae for the Construction of Pan-Genomic-Based Diagnostics. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:1604. [PMID: 36140772 PMCID: PMC9498496 DOI: 10.3390/genes13091604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The acceleration of climate change has been associated with an alarming increase in the prevalence and geographic range of tick-borne diseases (TBD), many of which have severe and long-lasting effects-particularly when treatment is delayed principally due to inadequate diagnostics and lack of physician suspicion. Moreover, there is a paucity of treatment options for many TBDs that are complicated by diagnostic limitations for correctly identifying the offending pathogens. This review will focus on the biology, disease pathology, and detection methodologies used for the Borreliaceae family which includes the Lyme disease agent Borreliella burgdorferi. Previous work revealed that Borreliaceae genomes differ from most bacteria in that they are composed of large numbers of replicons, both linear and circular, with the main chromosome being the linear with telomeric-like termini. While these findings are novel, additional gene-specific analyses of each class of these multiple replicons are needed to better understand their respective roles in metabolism and pathogenesis of these enigmatic spirochetes. Historically, such studies were challenging due to a dearth of both analytic tools and a sufficient number of high-fidelity genomes among the various taxa within this family as a whole to provide for discriminative and functional genomic studies. Recent advances in long-read whole-genome sequencing, comparative genomics, and machine-learning have provided the tools to better understand the fundamental biology and phylogeny of these genomically-complex pathogens while also providing the data for the development of improved diagnostics and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla M. Socarras
- Center for Advanced Microbial Processing, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
| | - Benjamin S. Haslund-Gourley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
| | - Nicholas A. Cramer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, 1112 East Clay Street, Room 101 Health Sciences Research Building, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Mary Ann Comunale
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
| | - Richard T. Marconi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, 1112 East Clay Street, Room 101 Health Sciences Research Building, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Garth D. Ehrlich
- Center for Advanced Microbial Processing, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, 1112 East Clay Street, Room 101 Health Sciences Research Building, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Center for Surgical Infections and Biofilms, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
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50
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Lynn GE, Breuner NE, Hojgaard A, Oliver J, Eisen L, Eisen RJ. A comparison of horizontal and transovarial transmission efficiency of Borrelia miyamotoi by Ixodes scapularis. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:102003. [PMID: 35858517 PMCID: PMC10880489 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Borrelia miyamotoi is a relapsing fever spirochete carried by Ixodes spp. ticks throughout the northern hemisphere. The pathogen is acquired either transovarially (vertically) or horizontally through blood-feeding and passed transtadially across life stages. Despite these complementary modes of transmission, infection prevalence of ticks with B. miyamotoi is typically low (<5%) in natural settings and the relative contributions of the two transmission modes have not been studied extensively. Horizontal transmission of B. miyamotoi (strain CT13-2396 or wild type strain) was initiated using infected Ixodes scapularis larvae or nymphs to expose rodents, which included both the immunocompetent CD-1 laboratory mouse (Mus musculus) and a natural reservoir host, the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus. leucopus), to simulate natural enzootic transmission. Transovarial transmission was evaluated using I. scapularis exposed to B. miyamotoi as either larvae or nymphs feeding on immunocompromised SCID mice (M. musculus) and subsequently fed as females on New Zealand white rabbits. Larvae from infected females were qPCR-tested individually to assess transovarial transmission rates. Tissue tropism of B. miyamotoi in infected ticks was demonstrated using in situ hybridization. Between 1 and 12% of ticks were positive (post-molt) for B. miyamotoi after feeding on groups of CD-1 mice or P. leucopus with evidence of infection, indicating that horizontal transmission was inefficient, regardless of whether infected larvae or nymphs were used to challenge the mice. Transovarial transmission occurred in 7 of 10 egg clutches from infected females. Filial infection prevalence in larvae ranged from 3 to 100% (median 71%). Both larval infection prevalence and spirochete load were highly correlated with maternal spirochete load. Spirochetes were disseminated throughout the tissues of all three stages of unfed ticks, including the salivary glands and female ovarian tissue. The results indicate that while multiple transmission routes contribute to enzootic maintenance of B. miyamotoi, transovarial transmission is likely to be the primary source of infected ticks and therefore risk assessment and tick control strategies should target adult female ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey E Lynn
- Division of Vector-borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, United States; AgriLife Texas A&M University, 1619 Garner Field Road, Uvalde, TX 78801, United States.
| | - Nicole E Breuner
- Division of Vector-borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, United States; Current address: College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, 160 SW 26th St. Corvallis, OR 97331, United States
| | - Andrias Hojgaard
- Division of Vector-borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, United States
| | - Jonathan Oliver
- School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Lars Eisen
- Division of Vector-borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, United States
| | - Rebecca J Eisen
- Division of Vector-borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, United States
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