Yale researchers have discovered a protein that may help protect hosts from infection with the tick-borne spirochete that causes Lyme disease, a finding that may help diagnose and treat Lyme disease.
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in North America and is transmitted by ticks infected with the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. The course of the disease varies among individuals, with the majority experiencing mild symptoms easily treated by antibiotics if taken immediately. However, in some cases of untreated Lyme the infection can spread to the heart, joints, nervous system, and other organs.
For the study, the Yale team expressed more than 1,000 human genes in yeast and analyzed their interactions with 36 samples of B. burgdorferi. They found that one protein, Peptidoglycan Recognition Protein (PGLYRP1), acts like an early warning signal to the immune system when exposed to the bacteria. When exposed to the Lyme spirochete, mice lacking PGLYRP1 had much higher levels of B. burgdorferi than mice with the protein and showed signs of immune system dysfunction, the researchers reported.
"Stimulating the ability of people to make more of this protein could help fight infection," said Yale's Erol Fikrig, the Waldemar Von Zedtwitz Professor of Medicine (Infectious Disease) and professor of epidemiology (microbial diseases) and of microbial pathogenesis and co-corresponding author of the study.
Fikrig and his colleagues are also investigating whether people with higher levels of PLGYRP1 may be less susceptible to infection by B. burgdorferi, which would help explain why some infected individuals have better outcomes. I will keep you posted, we can only hope..
On another note, we could use your help in raising funds for the foundation to continue giving out grants to children with this dreaded disease called chronic Lyme disease. Since the pandemic started our fund raising ability (visiting clubs) has almost shutdown and I am afraid that this will hinder our ability to pay existing grants and the issuing of new grants (we have a waiting list for grants). The need is there, so I am asking for you help.
If you have a Brittany Fellowship please consider purchasing a first level Emerald Brittany, if you have a first level Emerald Brittany please consider purchasing a second level Emerald Brittany, and if you have a second level Emerald Brittany please consider purchasing the new third level Diamond Brittany, it all will help. Thank you in advance of your purchase and I wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Column Posted on Web Site January 13, 2021
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