Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026

Immuno-fluorescence Assay of Leptospiral Surface-exposed Proteins
Published on: July 1, 2011
Outer surface proteins of Borrelia: peerless immune evasion tools
1Laboratory of Biomedical Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine and pharmacy, Komenskeho 73, 04181, Kosice, Slovakia. mangeshbhide@me.com.
Abstract:
Lyme borreliosis (LB), caused by Borrelia burgdorferi (B.b.), is the most frequently diagnosed tick-borne zoonosis in temperate zones of the Northern hemisphere. Borrelia is unique among bacteria in its ability to express a wide variety of lipoproteins on its surface, which play an essential role in pathogenesis. Surface proteins of spirochetes are important virulence determinants, immune evasion molecules and adaptation factors in the transmission and interaction with host tissues. Vast diversity in the expressed surface proteome of Borrelia in different niches and multifunctionality of proteins are the major strategies of Borrelia to avoid the destructive effect of immune system. In this review we provide deep insight into the protein:protein interactions that take place between different stages of life of Borrelia. Precise knowledge of surface proteins may help in improvement of the vaccines as well as for therapeutic agents against borreliosis.
Related Concept Videos
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Surface Membrane Barriers
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
Colonisation of Pathogens
Regulation of Bacterial Virulence
Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes
Fimbriae, Pili, and Axial Filaments

