G18secL03Tpc4: Difference between revisions
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=== Role of OspC in Lyme Disease === | === Role of OspC in Lyme Disease === | ||
=== OspC-based Vaccine Against Lyme Disease === | === OspC-based Vaccine Against Lyme Disease === | ||
Researchers believe that an OspC based vaccine would be more effective against Lyme disease than the current OspA based vaccine once further research is conducted regarding the three dimensional structure of OspC's, especially the structure of invasive strains <ref>D. Kumaran1, S. Eswaramoorthy1, B.J. Luft2, S. Koide3, J.J. Dunn1, C.L. Lawson1,4 and S. Swaminathan1. Crystal structure of outer surface protein C (OspC) from the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi.The EMBO Journal (2001) 20, 971 - 978 [http://dx.doi.org/DOI:10.1093/emboj/20.5.971]</ref>. | Researchers believe that an OspC based vaccine would be more effective against Lyme disease than the current OspA based vaccine once further research is conducted regarding the three dimensional structure of OspC's, especially the structure of invasive strains <ref>D. Kumaran1, S. Eswaramoorthy1, B.J. Luft2, S. Koide3, J.J. Dunn1, C.L. Lawson1,4 and S. Swaminathan1. Crystal structure of outer surface protein C (OspC) from the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi.The EMBO Journal (2001) 20, 971 - 978 [http://dx.doi.org/DOI:10.1093/emboj/20.5.971]</ref>. An OspC vaccine would have significant advantages over the current OspA vaccine, but there are several problems that require further research before the vaccine can be made. | ||
==== Main Advantages of Developing OspC-based Vaccine ==== | ==== Main Advantages of Developing OspC-based Vaccine ==== | ||
Unlike OspC, the OspA protein is only present in the Borrelia burgdorferi while they are in the midgut of the cold blooded tick, and not in the host. Once the tick begins to feed on its warm blooded mammalian host, the Borrelia burgdorferi migrate from the midgut of the tick to the salivary glands and OspC is produced in the host's bloodstream. <ref>D. Greenburg, M.S. Rowe. Brookhaven Scientists Determine Key Lime Disease Protein Structure.Brookhaven National Laboratory (2001)[http://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/pubaf/pr/2001/bnlpr022801.htm]</ref> Because of this, when a host is vaccinated with the OspA vaccine, antibodies to the OspA protein can only kill the bacteria inside of the tick if it ingests the antibodies during feeding. <ref>D. Greenburg, M.S. Rowe. Brookhaven Scientists Determine Key Lime Disease Protein Structure.Brookhaven National Laboratory (2001)[http://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/pubaf/pr/2001/bnlpr022801.htm]</ref> If the bacteria enter the host, it can differentiate into several forms for which the vaccine cannot protect against. In contrast, an OspC based vaccine would allow the host to make antibodies to kill the Borrelia burgdorferi after they enter the host's body. <ref>D. Greenburg, M.S. Rowe. Brookhaven Scientists Determine Key Lime Disease Protein Structure.Brookhaven National Laboratory (2001)[http://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/pubaf/pr/2001/bnlpr022801.htm]</ref> | Unlike OspC, the OspA protein is only present in the Borrelia burgdorferi while they are in the midgut of the cold blooded tick, and not in the host. Once the tick begins to feed on its warm blooded mammalian host, the Borrelia burgdorferi migrate from the midgut of the tick to the salivary glands and OspC is produced in the host's bloodstream. <ref>D. Greenburg, M.S. Rowe. Brookhaven Scientists Determine Key Lime Disease Protein Structure.Brookhaven National Laboratory (2001)[http://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/pubaf/pr/2001/bnlpr022801.htm]</ref> Because of this, when a host is vaccinated with the OspA vaccine, antibodies to the OspA protein can only kill the bacteria inside of the tick if it ingests the antibodies during feeding. <ref>D. Greenburg, M.S. Rowe. Brookhaven Scientists Determine Key Lime Disease Protein Structure.Brookhaven National Laboratory (2001)[http://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/pubaf/pr/2001/bnlpr022801.htm]</ref> If the bacteria enter the host, it can differentiate into several forms for which the vaccine cannot protect against. In contrast, an OspC based vaccine would allow the host to make antibodies to kill the Borrelia burgdorferi after they enter the host's body. <ref>D. Greenburg, M.S. Rowe. Brookhaven Scientists Determine Key Lime Disease Protein Structure.Brookhaven National Laboratory (2001)[http://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/pubaf/pr/2001/bnlpr022801.htm]</ref> | ||