Tick-host-pathogen interactions in Lyme borreliosis.
Borrelia burgdorferi, the spirochetal agent of Lyme borreliosis, is predominantly transmitted by Ixodes ticks. Spirochetes have developed many strategies to adapt to the different environments that are present in the arthropod vector and the vertebrate host. This review focuses on B. burgdorferi genes that are preferentially expressed in the tick and the vertebrate host, and describes how selected gene products facilitate spirochete survival throughout the enzootic life cycle. Interestingly, B. burgdorferi also enhances expression of specific Ixodes scapularis genes, such as TROSPA and salp15. The importance of these genes and their products for B. burgdorferi survival within the tick, and during the transmission process, will also be reviewed. Moreover, we discuss how such vector molecules could be used to develop vector-antigen-based vaccines to prevent the transmission of B. burgdorferi and, potentially, other arthropod-borne microbes.
Hovius
Joppe W R
JW
University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. j.w.hovius@amc.uva.nl
van Dam
Alje P
AP
Fikrig
Erol
E
D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D001096:Arachnid Vectors / Q000382:microbiology*; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D025065:Borrelia burgdorferi / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D018884:Ixodes / Q000382:microbiology*; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; C493779:TROSPA protein, Ixodes scapularis