The Factor H-Binding Site of CspZ as a Protective Target against Multistrain, Tick-Transmitted Lyme Disease [Microbial Immunity and Vaccines]

In this study, we demonstrated that immunization with CspZ-YA, a CspZ mutant protein with no FH-binding activity, protected mice from infection by several spirochete genotypes introduced via tick feeding. We found that the sera from CspZ-YA-vaccinated mice more efficiently eliminated spirochetes and blocked CspZ FH-binding activity than sera from CspZ-immunized mice. We also found that vaccination with CspZ, but not CspZ-YA, triggered the production of anti-FH antibodies, justifying CspZ-YA as an LD vaccine candidate. The mechanistic and efficacy information derived from this study provides insights into the development of a CspZ-based LD vaccine.

Source: Infection and Immunity - April 19, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Marcinkiewicz, A. L., Lieknina, I., Yang, X., Lederman, P. L., Hart, T. M., Yates, J., Chen, W.-H., Bottazzi, M. E., Mantis, N. J., Kraiczy, P., Pal, U., Tars, K., Lin, Y.-P. Tags: Microbial Immunity and Vaccines Source Type: research