scholarly journals Infection of Interleukin 17 Receptor A-Deficient C3H Mice with Borrelia burgdorferi Does Not Affect Their Development of Lyme Arthritis and Carditis

2015 ◽  
Vol 83 (7) ◽  
pp. 2882-2888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie E. Lasky ◽  
Kara E. Jamison ◽  
Darcie R. Sidelinger ◽  
Carmela L. Pratt ◽  
Guoquan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Lyme Borreliosis ◽  
Heart Tissue ◽  
Lyme Arthritis ◽  
Mouse Strains ◽  
Interleukin 17 ◽  
Content Type ◽  
C3h Mice ◽  
A Subunit

Recently, a number of studies have reported the presence of interleukin 17 (IL-17) in patients with Lyme disease, and several murine studies have suggested a role for this cytokine in the development of Lyme arthritis. However, the role of IL-17 has not been studied using the experimental Lyme borreliosis model of infection of C3H mice withBorrelia burgdorferi. In the current study, we investigated the role of IL-17 in the development of experimental Lyme borreliosis by infecting C3H mice devoid of the common IL-17 receptor A subunit (IL-17RA) and thus deficient in most IL-17 signaling. Infection of both C3H and C3H IL-17RA−/−mice led to the production of high levels of IL-17 in the serum, low levels in the heart tissue, and no detectable IL-17 in the joint tissue. The development and severity of arthritis and carditis in the C3H IL-17RA−/−mice were similar to what was seen in wild-type C3H mice. In addition, development of antiborrelia antibodies and clearance of spirochetes from tissues were similar for the two mouse strains. These results demonstrate a limited role for IL-17 signaling through IL-17RA in the development of disease following infection of C3H mice withB. burgdorferi.

scholarly journals Induction of Interleukin 10 byBorrelia burgdorferiIs Regulated by the Action of CD14-Dependent p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase and cAMP-Mediated Chromatin Remodeling

2018 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bikash Sahay ◽  
Kathleen Bashant ◽  
Nicole L. J. Nelson ◽  
Rebeca L. Patsey ◽  
Shiva Kumar Gadila ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Lyme Borreliosis ◽  
Human Peripheral Blood ◽  
Interleukin 10 ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Lyme Arthritis ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Content Type ◽  
C3h Mice ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

ABSTRACTHost genotype influences the severity of murine Lyme borreliosis, caused by the spirochetal bacteriumBorrelia burgdorferi. C57BL/6 (B6) mice develop mild Lyme arthritis, whereas C3H/HeN (C3H) mice develop severe Lyme arthritis. Differential expression of interleukin 10 (IL-10) has long been associated with mouse strain differences in Lyme pathogenesis; however, the underlying mechanism(s) of this genotype-specific IL-10 regulation remained elusive. Herein we reveal a cAMP-mediated mechanism of IL-10 regulation in B6 macrophages that is substantially diminished in C3H macrophages. Under cAMP and CD14-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, B6 macrophages stimulated withB. burgdorferiproduce increased amounts of IL-10 and decreased levels of arthritogenic cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF). cAMP relaxes chromatin, while p38 increases binding of the transcription factors signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and specific protein 1 (SP1) to the IL-10 promoter, leading to increased IL-10 production in B6 bone marrow-derived monocytes (BMDMs). Conversely, macrophages derived from arthritis-susceptible C3H mice possess significantly less endogenous cAMP, produce less IL-10, and thus are ill equipped to mitigate the damaging consequences ofB. burgdorferi-induced TNF. Intriguingly, an altered balance between anti-inflammatory and proinflammatory cytokines and CD14-dependent regulatory mechanisms also is operative in primary human peripheral blood-derived monocytes, providing potential insight into the clinical spectrum of human Lyme disease. In line with this notion, we have demonstrated that cAMP-enhancing drugs increase IL-10 production in myeloid cells, thus curtailing inflammation associated with murine Lyme borreliosis. Discovery of novel treatments or repurposing of FDA-approved cAMP-modulating medications may be a promising avenue for treatment of patients with adverse clinical outcomes, including certain post-Lyme complications, in whom dysregulated immune responses may play a role.

scholarly journals Clearance of Borrelia burgdorferi May Not Be Required for Resistance to Experimental Lyme Arthritis

1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 2065-2071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles R. Brown ◽  
Steven L. Reiner
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Inbred Mouse ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Lyme Arthritis ◽  
Mouse Strains ◽  
Inbred Mouse Strains ◽  
Competitive Pcr ◽  
Experimental Animals ◽  
Severe Arthritis ◽  
C3h Mice

ABSTRACT Infection of inbred mouse strains with Borrelia burgdorferi results in the development of experimental Lyme arthritis. The degree of arthritic pathology has been suggested to correlate with the level of spirochete burden within tissues. To investigate this further, we infected resistant DBA/2 (DBA) and susceptible C3H/HeJ (C3H) mice in the hind footpads and monitored arthritis development for 21 days. To quantitate levels of spirochetes within tissues, we created a competitive PCR molecule containing modified ospA and fla gene segments. C3H mice developed severe arthritis of the tibiotarsal joints, while DBA mice developed only mild inflammation throughout the experimental period. At day 21, when the gross size and histologic composition of ankles revealed significant differences in arthritis between the strains, there was little difference in levels of spirochete DNA as determined by competitive PCR. Cultures of ankle tissue at day 21 were also uniformly positive in both C3H and DBA animals and contained relatively similar levels of spirochetes. These results indicate that the presence of spirochetes in the ankles of experimental animals is not sufficient for arthritis development. Since arthritic and nonarthritic animals can harbor relatively equal spirochete burdens yet retain their distinct phenotypic outcomes, an aberrant or overly exuberant immune response may be an additional requirement for pathology in arthritis-prone mice.

scholarly journals BB0744 Affects Tissue Tropism and Spatial Distribution of Borrelia burgdorferi

2015 ◽  
Vol 83 (9) ◽  
pp. 3693-3703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beau Wager ◽  
Dana K. Shaw ◽  
Ashley M. Groshong ◽  
Jon S. Blevins ◽  
Jon T. Skare
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Heart Tissue ◽  
Etiologic Agent ◽  
Tissue Tropism ◽  
Bioluminescent Imaging ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Joint Tissue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Species Vector

Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiologic agent of Lyme disease, produces a variety of proteins that promote survival and colonization in both theIxodesspecies vector and various mammalian hosts. We initially identified BB0744 (also known as p83/100) by screening forB. burgdorferistrain B31 proteins that bind to α1β1integrin and hypothesized that, given the presence of a signal peptide, BB0744 may be a surface-exposed protein. In contrast to this expectation, localization studies suggested that BB0744 resides in the periplasm. Despite its subsurface location, we were interested in testing whether BB0744 is required for borrelial pathogenesis. To this end, abb0744deletion was isolated in aB. burgdorferistrain B31 infectious background, complemented, and queried for the role of BB0744 following experimental infection. A combination of bioluminescent imaging, cultivation of infected tissues, and quantitative PCR (qPCR) demonstrated that Δbb0744mutantB. burgdorferibacteria were attenuated in the ability to colonize heart tissue, as well as skin locations distal to the site of infection. Furthermore, qPCR indicated a significantly reduced spirochetal load in distal skin and joint tissue infected with Δbb0744mutantB. burgdorferi. Complementation withbb0744restored infectivity, indicating that the defect seen in Δbb0744mutantB. burgdorferiwas due to the loss of BB0744. Taken together, these results suggest that BB0744 is necessary for tissue tropism, particularly in heart tissue, alters the ability ofB. burgdorferito disseminate efficiently, or both. Additional studies are warranted to address the mechanism employed by BB0744 that alters the pathogenic potential ofB. burgdorferi.

scholarly journals Interleukin-10 (IL-10) Inhibits Borrelia burgdorferi-Induced IL-17 Production and Attenuates IL-17-Mediated Lyme Arthritis

2013 ◽  
Vol 81 (12) ◽  
pp. 4421-4430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily S. Hansen ◽  
Velinka Medić ◽  
Joseph Kuo ◽  
Thomas F. Warner ◽  
Ronald F. Schell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Interleukin 10 ◽  
Lyme Arthritis ◽  
Interleukin 17 ◽  
Spleen Cells ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ankle Joints ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Histopathological Effects ◽  
Deficient Mice

ABSTRACTPrevious studies have shown that cells and cytokines associated with interleukin-17 (IL-17)-driven inflammation are involved in the arthritic response toBorrelia burgdorferiinfection. Here, we report that IL-17 is a contributing factor in the development of Lyme arthritis and show that its production and histopathological effects are regulated by interleukin-10 (IL-10). Spleen cells obtained fromB. burgdorferi-infected, “arthritis-resistant” wild-type C57BL/6 mice produced low levels of IL-17 following stimulation with the spirochete. In contrast, spleen cells obtained from infected, IL-10-deficient C57BL/6 mice produced a significant amount of IL-17 following stimulation withB. burgdorferi. These mice developed significant arthritis, including erosion of the bones in the ankle joints. We further show that treatment with antibody to IL-17 partially inhibited the significant hind paw swelling and histopathological changes observed inB. burgdorferi-infected, IL-10-deficient mice. Taken together, these findings provide additional evidence of a role for IL-17 in Lyme arthritis and reveal an additional regulatory target of IL-10 following borrelial infection.

scholarly journals Hamster and Murine Models of Severe Destructive Lyme Arthritis

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Munson ◽  
Dean T. Nardelli ◽  
Brian K. Du Chateau ◽  
Steven M. Callister ◽  
Ronald F. Schell
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Borreliosis ◽  
Bone Erosion ◽  
Lyme Arthritis ◽  
Murine Models ◽  
Transient Synovitis ◽  
Hamster Model ◽  
C3h Mice ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Deficient Mice ◽  
Reaction Characteristic

Arthritis is a frequent complication of infection in humans withBorrelia burgdorferi. Weeks to months following the onset of Lyme borreliosis, a histopathological reaction characteristic of synovitis including bone, joint, muscle, or tendon pain may occur. A subpopulation of patients may progress to a chronic, debilitating arthritis months to years after infection which has been classified as severe destructive Lyme arthritis. This arthritis involves focal bone erosion and destruction of articular cartilage. Hamsters and mice are animal models that have been utilized to study articular manifestations of Lyme borreliosis. Infection of immunocompetent LSH hamsters or C3H mice results in a transient synovitis. However, severe destructive Lyme arthritis can be induced by infecting irradiated hamsters or mice and immunocompetentBorrelia-vaccinated hamsters, mice, and interferon-gamma- (IFN-γ-) deficient mice with viableB. burgdorferi. The hamster model of severe destructive Lyme arthritis facilitates easy assessment of Lyme borreliosis vaccine preparations for deleterious effects while murine models of severe destructive Lyme arthritis allow for investigation of mechanisms of immunopathology.

scholarly journals Regulatory T Cells Contribute to Resistance against Lyme Arthritis

2020 ◽  
Vol 88 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily M. Siebers ◽  
Elizabeth S. Liedhegner ◽  
Michael W. Lawlor ◽  
Ronald F. Schell ◽  
Dean T. Nardelli
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Regulatory T Cells ◽  
Regulatory T Cell ◽  
Interleukin 10 ◽  
Lyme Arthritis ◽  
Interleukin 17 ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT The symptoms of Lyme disease are caused by inflammation induced by species of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex. The various presentations of Lyme disease in the population suggest that differences exist in the intensity and regulation of the host response to the spirochete. Previous work has described correlations between the presence of regulatory T cells and recovery from Lyme arthritis. However, the effects of Foxp3-expressing CD4+ T cells existing prior to, and during, B. burgdorferi infection have not been well characterized. Here, we used C57BL/6 “depletion of regulatory T cell” mice to assess the effects these cells have on the arthritis-resistant phenotype characteristic of this mouse strain. We showed that depletion of regulatory T cells prior to infection with B. burgdorferi resulted in sustained swelling, as well as histopathological changes, of the tibiotarsal joints that were not observed in infected control mice. Additionally, in vitro stimulation of splenocytes from these regulatory T cell-depleted mice resulted in increases in gamma interferon and interleukin-17 production and decreases in interleukin-10 production that were not evident among splenocytes of infected mice in which Treg cells were not depleted. Depletion of regulatory T cells at various times after infection also induced rapid joint swelling. Collectively, these findings provide evidence that regulatory T cells existing at the time of, and possibly after, B. burgdorferi infection may play an important role in limiting the development of arthritis.

scholarly journals CsrA (BB0184) Is Not Involved in Activation of the RpoN-RpoS Regulatory Pathway in Borrelia burgdorferi

2014 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 1511-1522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiming Ouyang ◽  
Jianli Zhou ◽  
Michael V. Norgard
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Regulatory Pathway ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mouse Tissues ◽  
Differential Gene ◽  
Carbon Storage Regulator

ABSTRACTBorrelia burgdorferiencodes a homologue of the bacterial carbon storage regulator A (CsrA). Recently, it was reported that CsrA contributes toB. burgdorferiinfectivity and is required for the activation of the central RpoN-RpoS regulatory pathway. However, many questions concerning the function of CsrA inB. burgdorferigene regulation remain unanswered. In particular, there are conflicting reports concerning the molecular details of how CsrA may modulaterpoSexpression and, thus, how CsrA may influence the RpoN-RpoS pathway inB. burgdorferi. To address these key discrepancies, we examined the role of CsrA in differential gene expression in the Lyme disease spirochete. Upon engineering an induciblecsrAexpression system inB. burgdorferi, controlled hyperexpression of CsrA in a merodiploid strain did not significantly alter the protein and transcript levels ofbosR,rpoS, and RpoS-dependent genes (such asospCanddbpA). In addition, we constructed isogeniccsrAmutants in two widely used infectiousB. burgdorferistrains. When expression ofbosR,rpoS,ospC, anddbpAwas compared between thecsrAmutants and their wild-type counterparts, no detectable differences were observed. Finally, animal studies indicated that thecsrAmutants remained infectious for and virulent in mice. Analyses ofB. burgdorferigene expression in mouse tissues showed comparable levels ofrpoStranscripts by thecsrAmutants and the parental strains. Taken together, these results constitute compelling evidence that CsrA is not involved in activation of the RpoN-RpoS pathway and is dispensable for mammalian infectious processes carried out byB. burgdorferi.

scholarly journals Generality of Post-Antimicrobial Treatment Persistence of Borrelia burgdorferi Strains N40 and B31 in Genetically Susceptible and Resistant Mouse Strains

2019 ◽  
Vol 87 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emir Hodzic ◽  
Denise M. Imai ◽  
Edlin Escobar
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Clinical Relevance ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Basic Feature ◽  
Antimicrobial Treatment ◽  
Mouse Strains ◽  
Resistant Mouse ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Disease Resistant

ABSTRACT A basic feature of infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiological agent of Lyme borreliosis, is that persistent infection is the rule in its many hosts. The ability to persist and evade host immune clearance poses a challenge to effective antimicrobial treatment. A link between therapy failure and the presence of persister cells has started to emerge. There is growing experimental evidence that viable but noncultivable spirochetes persist following treatment with several different antimicrobial agents. The current study utilized the mouse model to evaluate if persistence occurs following antimicrobial treatment in disease-susceptible (C3H/HeJ [C3H]) and disease-resistant (C57BL/6 [B6]) mouse strains infected with B. burgdorferi strains N40 and B31 and to confirm the generality of this phenomenon, as well as to assess the persisters’ clinical relevance. The status of infection was evaluated at 12 and 18 months after treatment. The results demonstrated that persistent spirochetes remain viable for up to 18 months following treatment, as well as being noncultivable. The phenomenon of persistence in disease-susceptible C3H mice is equally evident in disease-resistant B6 mice and not unique to any particular B. burgdorferi strain. The results also demonstrate that, following antimicrobial treatment, both strains of B. burgdorferi, N40 and B31, lose one or more plasmids. The study demonstrated that noncultivable spirochetes can persist in a host following antimicrobial treatment for a long time but did not demonstrate their clinical relevance in a mouse model of chronic infection. The clinical relevance of persistent spirochetes beyond 18 months following antimicrobial treatment requires further studies in other animal models.

scholarly journals Macrophage Polarization during Murine Lyme Borreliosis

2015 ◽  
Vol 83 (7) ◽  
pp. 2627-2635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie E. Lasky ◽  
Rachel M. Olson ◽  
Charles R. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Macrophage Polarization ◽  
Lyme Arthritis ◽  
Macrophage Phenotype ◽  
Content Type ◽  
C3h Mice ◽  
Inflammatory Site ◽  
Macrophage Subset ◽  
Inflammatory Infiltrates

Infection of C3H mice withBorrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, reliably produces an infectious arthritis and carditis that peak around 3 weeks postinfection and then spontaneously resolve. Macrophage polarization has been suggested to drive inflammation, the clearance of bacteria, and tissue repair and resolution in a variety of infectious disease models. During Lyme disease it is clear that macrophages are capable of clearingBorreliaspirochetes and exhausted neutrophils; however, the role of macrophage phenotype in disease development or resolution has not been studied. Using classical (NOS2) and alternative (CD206) macrophage subset-specific markers, we determined the phenotype of F4/80+macrophages within the joints and heart throughout the infection time course. Within the joint, CD206+macrophages dominated throughout the course of infection, and NOS2+macrophage numbers became elevated only during the peak of inflammation. We also found dual NOS2+CD206+macrophages which increased during resolution. In contrast to findings for the ankle joints, numbers of NOS2+and CD206+macrophages in the heart were similar at the peak of inflammation. 5-Lipoxygenase-deficient (5-LOX−/−) mice, which display a failure of Lyme arthritis resolution, recruited fewer F4/80+cells to the infected joints and heart, but macrophage subset populations were unchanged. These results highlight differences in the inflammatory infiltrates during Lyme arthritis and carditis and demonstrate the coexistence of multiple macrophage subsets within a single inflammatory site.

scholarly journals Effect of Complement Component C3 Deficiency on Experimental Lyme Borreliosis in Mice

2003 ◽  
Vol 71 (8) ◽  
pp. 4432-4440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew B. Lawrenz ◽  
R. Mark Wooten ◽  
James F. Zachary ◽  
Scott M. Drouin ◽  
Janis J. Weis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Borreliosis ◽  
Early Time ◽  
Heart Tissue ◽  
Complement Component ◽  
Joint Tissue ◽  
Complement Component C3 ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Spirochete Load ◽  
The Complement System

ABSTRACT Mice deficient in complement component C3 (C3−/−) and syngeneic C57BL/6 control mice were challenged with Borrelia burgdorferi to determine the role of complement in immune clearance and joint histopathology during experimental Lyme borreliosis. Tibiotarsal joint, ear, and heart tissues were monitored for spirochete numbers at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks postinoculation with 105 B. burgdorferi B31 clone 5A4 by using quantitative real-time PCR. The spirochete load in joint and ear tissue remained higher in the C3−/− mice than in the wild-type counterparts throughout the 12-week study, whereas the numbers in heart tissue of both groups of mice decreased substantially at 8 to 12 weeks postinfection. Histopathology scores for joint tissue were generally higher in the C3−/− mice compared to C57BL/6 controls at 2 and 4 weeks postinfection, which may reflect the presence of higher numbers of bacteria in the joints at these early time points. Levels of anti-B. burgdorferi immunoglobulin G tended to be reduced in the C3−/− mice compared to control mice. Furthermore, a 5.5-fold-lower number of the complement-sensitive Borrelia garinii was needed to infect C3−/− mice compared to C57BL/6 mice, indicating that its sensitivity to complement is one barrier to infection of the mouse model by B. garinii. These results indicate that the complement system may be important in controlling the early dissemination and progression of B. burgdorferi infection.

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