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FlaA, a putative flagellar outer sheath protein, is not an immunodominant antigen associated with Lyme disease
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, West Virginia University, Morgantown 26506-9177, USA.
Abstract:
FlaA was recently found to be associated with flagellar filaments of Borrelia burgdorferi. We tested whether antibodies to this protein are a good indicator of infection, as antibodies to FlaA proteins in other spirochetal infections show an increase in titer. Although overproduction of intact FlaA was highly toxic to Escherichia coli, truncated proteins which lacked the N-terminal signal sequence could be successfully overexpressed. Immunoblotting with sera from mammalian hosts infected with B. burgdorferi indicated that FlaA is not an immunodominant antigen in Lyme disease. However, sera from two patients reacted with both recombinant and native FlaA protein, suggesting that B. burgdorferi FlaA was antigenic and expressed in vivo.
Insights
Antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi FlaA were investigated as an indicator for Lyme disease infection. FlaA was found to be antigenic but not immunodominant, limiting its diagnostic potential.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Bacteriology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The flagellar protein FlaA is associated with Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease.
- Antibodies to flagellar proteins in other spirochetal infections often increase during infection, suggesting potential diagnostic utility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic potential of antibodies targeting Borrelia burgdorferi FlaA in Lyme disease.
- To determine if FlaA is an immunodominant antigen in human Lyme disease infections.
Main Methods:
- Overexpression and purification of truncated Borrelia burgdorferi FlaA proteins in Escherichia coli.
- Immunoblotting assays using sera from mammalian hosts infected with B. burgdorferi.
- Analysis of patient sera reactivity against recombinant and native FlaA.
Main Results:
- Overproduction of intact FlaA was toxic to E. coli; truncated FlaA proteins were successfully expressed.
- Immunoblotting revealed that FlaA is not an immunodominant antigen in Lyme disease.
- Sera from two Lyme disease patients showed reactivity with both recombinant and native FlaA.
Conclusions:
- Borrelia burgdorferi FlaA is antigenic and expressed in vivo during infection.
- FlaA is not a primary immunodominant antigen, suggesting limited utility as a sole diagnostic marker for Lyme disease.