2024
Anopheles gambiae lacking AgTRIO probe inefficiently on a mammalian host
Chuang Y, Dong Y, Stone H, Abouneameh S, Tang X, Raduwan H, Dimopoulos G, Fikrig E. Anopheles gambiae lacking AgTRIO probe inefficiently on a mammalian host. Cell Reports 2024, 43: 114600. PMID: 39126653, PMCID: PMC11407849, DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114600.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchVertebrate hostsAnopheles gambiaePlasmodium sporozoitesCRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editingPlasmodium transmissionTransmit malariaMosquito probingMosquito salivaTransmit PlasmodiumBlood resourcesMalariaRepetitive probesBloodPlasmodiumMammalian hostsAbility of mosquitoesBlood mealGenome editingA. gambiaeKnockoutVertebratesGambiaHostMealSaliva
2023
Signaling between mammalian adiponectin and a mosquito adiponectin receptor reduces Plasmodium transmission
Chuang Y, Stone H, Abouneameh S, Tang X, Fikrig E. Signaling between mammalian adiponectin and a mosquito adiponectin receptor reduces Plasmodium transmission. MBio 2023, 15: e02257-23. PMID: 38078744, PMCID: PMC10790699, DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02257-23.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBlood mealComplex life cycleMosquito fitnessMammalian hostsMammalian adiponectinPathogen infectivityLipid transportersVertebrate hostsAdiponectin receptorsHematophagous arthropodsFemale mosquitoesPlasmodium transmissionLife cycleMosquitoesImportant lipid transporterPathwayHostInfectious agentsVector-borne infectious agentsArthropodsAdiponectinReceptorsInfectionTransportersMealMalaria: influence of Anopheles mosquito saliva on Plasmodium infection
Arora G, Chuang Y, Sinnis P, Dimopoulos G, Fikrig E. Malaria: influence of Anopheles mosquito saliva on Plasmodium infection. Trends In Immunology 2023, 44: 256-265. PMID: 36964020, PMCID: PMC10074230, DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2023.02.005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAnopheles salivaPlasmodium infectionInfected female mosquitoesMosquito salivary proteinsLocal host responseComponents of salivaMosquito salivaTherapeutic strategiesHost responsePlasmodium sporozoitesVector salivaPlasmodium protozoaBlood vesselsSalivaFemale mosquitoesBlood mealAnopheline mosquitoesInfectionMalariaVector-borne diseasesSkinHost-pathogen interactionsSporozoitesSalivary proteinsMosquitoes
2021
mRNA vaccination induces tick resistance and prevents transmission of the Lyme disease agent
Sajid A, Matias J, Arora G, Kurokawa C, DePonte K, Tang X, Lynn G, Wu MJ, Pal U, Strank NO, Pardi N, Narasimhan S, Weissman D, Fikrig E. mRNA vaccination induces tick resistance and prevents transmission of the Lyme disease agent. Science Translational Medicine 2021, 13: eabj9827. PMID: 34788080, DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abj9827.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTick-borne infectionsTick-borne infectious diseaseEngorgement weightDisease agentsTicksTick exposureLyme disease agentGuinea pigsTick biteNormal blood mealBlood mealNucleoside-modified mRNALyme diseasePigsLocal rednessMRNA vaccinationMRNA vaccinesBite siteSalivary proteinsPrevents transmissionInfectious diseasesDiseaseVaccineResistanceEffective inductionAedes aegypti SNAP and a calcium transporter ATPase influence dengue virus dissemination
Marin-Lopez A, Jiang J, Wang Y, Cao Y, MacNeil T, Hastings AK, Fikrig E. Aedes aegypti SNAP and a calcium transporter ATPase influence dengue virus dissemination. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021, 15: e0009442. PMID: 34115766, PMCID: PMC8195420, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009442.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSalivary gland proteinsSuccessful viral transmissionNew mammalian hostDengue virusWild habitatsHabitat expansionGland proteinsA. aegypti vectorMammalian hostsUbiquitous expressionDENV infectionGene expressionMosquito midgutProtein componentsATPase proteinVector proteinProteinSalivary glandsBlood mealViral cycleAedes aegypti mosquitoesSusceptible hostsAedes aegyptiMosquitoesHostTick host immunity: vector immunomodulation and acquired tick resistance
Kitsou C, Fikrig E, Pal U. Tick host immunity: vector immunomodulation and acquired tick resistance. Trends In Immunology 2021, 42: 554-574. PMID: 34074602, PMCID: PMC10089699, DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2021.05.005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTick-host associationsTick resistanceImmune evasion activitiesNovel preventive strategiesImmunological eventsImmunomodulatory rolePreventive strategiesTick salivaIncidental hostsNew seedsPathogen transmissionBlood mealNatural hostVector competenceNatural persistenceCritical appraisalTicksAssociation
2020
The Effects of A Mosquito Salivary Protein on Sporozoite Traversal of Host Cells
Chuang YM, Agunbiade TA, Tang XD, Freudzon M, Almeras L, Fikrig E. The Effects of A Mosquito Salivary Protein on Sporozoite Traversal of Host Cells. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2020, 224: 544-553. PMID: 33306099, PMCID: PMC8328219, DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa759.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPassive immunizationCell traversal activityMosquito saliva proteinsMosquito salivary proteinsMosquito salivaNeutrophil chemotaxisProtein monoclonal antibodyProtective effectSporozoite glidingSporozoite infectivitySporozoite traversalMonoclonal antibodiesHost skinAnopheles mosquitoesProtein 1ImmunizationBlood mealSporozoitesSalivaMiceHost cellsSaliva proteinsSalivary proteinsAntiserumVertebrate hostsRepeat tick exposure elicits distinct immune responses in guinea pigs and mice
Kurokawa C, Narasimhan S, Vidyarthi A, Booth CJ, Mehta S, Meister L, Diktas H, Strank N, Lynn GE, DePonte K, Craft J, Fikrig E. Repeat tick exposure elicits distinct immune responses in guinea pigs and mice. Ticks And Tick-borne Diseases 2020, 11: 101529. PMID: 32993942, PMCID: PMC7530331, DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101529.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGuinea pigsElicit distinct immune responsesDistinct immune responsesGuinea pig modelLocal blood flowImmune animalsInflammatory pathwaysTick rejectionMechanisms of resistanceImmune responseMouse modelVaccine candidatesBite siteBlood flowPig modelCoagulation pathwayComplement activationAcquired ResistanceProtective antigenTick detachmentTick proteinsBlood mealMiceTick infestationRNA sequencing
2018
Altered vector competence in an experimental mosquito-mouse transmission model of Zika infection
Uraki R, Hastings AK, Gloria-Soria A, Powell JR, Fikrig E. Altered vector competence in an experimental mosquito-mouse transmission model of Zika infection. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2018, 12: e0006350. PMID: 29505571, PMCID: PMC5854422, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006350.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsZIKV transmissionZika virus infectionNatural transmission routeInfected miceZIKV infectionZika infectionTesting vaccinesVirus infectionIntrathoracic injectionAnimal modelsZIKVInfectionMiceTransmission routesBlood mealVector competenceVector competencyMosquitoesTransmission modelVertebrate hostsMosquito modelPathogenesisVaccine
2017
Chapter 14 Translation of Saliva Proteins Into Tools to Prevent Vector-Borne Disease Transmission
Narasimhan S, Schleicher T, Fikrig E. Chapter 14 Translation of Saliva Proteins Into Tools to Prevent Vector-Borne Disease Transmission. 2017, 249-300. DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-805360-7.00014-9.ChaptersPathogen transmissionArthropod vectorsVector-pathogen interactionsBlood mealVector salivaVector-Borne Disease TransmissionTransmit pathogensMolecular understandingHematophagous arthropodsHost immune responseMicrobesArthropodsImmune responseSalivary proteinsPathogensHostArthropod salivaMicroorganism transmission
2014
Innexin AGAP001476 Is Critical for Mediating Anti-Plasmodium Responses in Anopheles Mosquitoes
Li MW, Wang J, Zhao YO, Fikrig E. Innexin AGAP001476 Is Critical for Mediating Anti-Plasmodium Responses in Anopheles Mosquitoes. Journal Of Biological Chemistry 2014, 289: 24885-24897. PMID: 25035430, PMCID: PMC4155657, DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.554519.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAnti-Plasmodium responseToll pathwayInnate immune responseGap junction proteinIMD pathwaySignal transductionExtracellular communicationSimultaneous knockdownAnopheles gambiaeImmune responseMidgut epitheliumInhibitor studiesKnockdownPlasmodium falciparum infectionCactusBlood mealGap junctionsVitellogenin levelsOocyst numbersAnopheles mosquitoesJunction proteinsCritical rolePathwayMRNA levelsMosquitoes
2013
Characterization of Ixophilin, A Thrombin Inhibitor from the Gut of Ixodes scapularis
Narasimhan S, Perez O, Mootien S, DePonte K, Koski RA, Fikrig E, Ledizet M. Characterization of Ixophilin, A Thrombin Inhibitor from the Gut of Ixodes scapularis. PLOS ONE 2013, 8: e68012. PMID: 23874485, PMCID: PMC3706618, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTick gutBlood mealVertebrate hostsTick gut proteinsPathogen transmissionBorrelia burgdorferi transmissionAnticoagulation strategiesThrombin inhibitory activityHemostatic mechanismThrombin inhibitorsMammalian coagulationIxodes scapularisMammalian hostsTick salivaLyme diseaseKey enzymeGut proteinsBorrelia burgdorferiTick feedingHost bloodHours of feedingGutFunctional suiteTick proteinsHuman pathogensAnopheles gambiae Circumsporozoite Protein–Binding Protein Facilitates Plasmodium Infection of Mosquito Salivary Glands
Wang J, Zhang Y, Zhao YO, Li MW, Zhang L, Dragovic S, Abraham NM, Fikrig E. Anopheles gambiae Circumsporozoite Protein–Binding Protein Facilitates Plasmodium Infection of Mosquito Salivary Glands. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2013, 208: 1161-1169. PMID: 23801601, PMCID: PMC3762383, DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jit284.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMosquito salivary glandsCircumsporozoite proteinSalivary glandsPlasmodium organismsPlasmodium circumsporozoite proteinMosquito-borne diseasePlasmodium life cycleSubstantial morbidityPlasmodium infectionMosquito bitesFed bloodGut wallPlasmodium sporozoitesSalivary gland proteinsPlasmodium speciesParasite loadGlandBlood mealInfectionGland proteinsVertebrate hostsVivo bioassaySporozoitesInvasionProtein
2009
Inhibition of Neutrophil Function by Two Tick Salivary Proteins
Guo X, Booth CJ, Paley MA, Wang X, DePonte K, Fikrig E, Narasimhan S, Montgomery RR. Inhibition of Neutrophil Function by Two Tick Salivary Proteins. Infection And Immunity 2009, 77: 2320-2329. PMID: 19332533, PMCID: PMC2687334, DOI: 10.1128/iai.01507-08.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPolymorphonuclear leukocytesPMN functionNumber of PMNPMN integrinsPMN adherenceNeutrophil functionSpirochete burdenTick salivary proteinsTick salivaLyme diseaseTick attachmentSalivary glandsBorrelia burgdorferiTick feedingCausative agentReduced levelsInhibitory proteinSalivaBlood mealAntihemostatic activityInfectionInhibitionSalivary proteinsHematophagous arthropodsTick Ixodes scapularis
2007
Role of Outer Surface Protein D in the Borrelia burgdorferi Life Cycle
Li X, Neelakanta G, Liu X, Beck DS, Kantor FS, Fish D, Anderson JF, Fikrig E. Role of Outer Surface Protein D in the Borrelia burgdorferi Life Cycle. Infection And Immunity 2007, 75: 4237-4244. PMID: 17620358, PMCID: PMC1951184, DOI: 10.1128/iai.00632-07.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsB. burgdorferiSecond blood mealMurine modelSpirochete transmissionB. burgdorferi persistenceLyme borreliosisMiceB. burgdorferi strainsProtein DI. scapularisTick gutBlood mealBurgdorferi strainsSpirochete life cycleBurgdorferiGut extractsIxodes scapularisB. burgdorferi infectivityThreefold decreaseHost-specific signalsScapularisTicksBorreliosis
2006
The Lyme disease agent Borrelia burgdorferi requires BB0690, a Dps homologue, to persist within ticks
Li X, Pal U, Ramamoorthi N, Liu X, Desrosiers DC, Eggers CH, Anderson JF, Radolf JD, Fikrig E. The Lyme disease agent Borrelia burgdorferi requires BB0690, a Dps homologue, to persist within ticks. Molecular Microbiology 2006, 63: 694-710. PMID: 17181780, DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2006.05550.x.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
1996
Borrelia burgdorferi OspA is an arthropod-specific transmission-blocking Lyme disease vaccine.
de Silva AM, Telford SR, Brunet LR, Barthold SW, Fikrig E. Borrelia burgdorferi OspA is an arthropod-specific transmission-blocking Lyme disease vaccine. Journal Of Experimental Medicine 1996, 183: 271-275. PMID: 8551231, PMCID: PMC2192397, DOI: 10.1084/jem.183.1.271.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAntibodies, BacterialAntigens, BacterialAntigens, SurfaceArachnid VectorsBacterial Outer Membrane ProteinsBacterial VaccinesBorrelia burgdorferi GroupDigestive SystemFluorescent Antibody TechniqueImmunotherapy, AdoptiveIxodesLipoproteinsLyme DiseaseMiceMice, Inbred C3HSalivary GlandsConceptsOspA antibodiesTick attachmentUnfed nymphal ticksLyme disease vaccineB. burgdorferi infectionBlood mealMechanism of protectionTick blood mealSpirochete infectionBurgdorferi infectionDisease vaccineGland invasionExpression of OspAOuter surface proteinsSpirochetal agentLyme diseaseMiceSalivary gland invasionAntibodiesSalivary glandsBorrelia burgdorferiIxodes ticksOspA expressionTick gutVaccine