SB2013 L04gr5: Difference between revisions

In addition to the IR6 region, specific sequences of the N- and C- terminal invariable domains are known to be major B cell epitopes in Lyme disease patients. Although the N and C termini appeared to be flexible when crystallized<name ref:"Eickent" />, the crystal structure of VlsE indicates that the two sequences lie adjacent to each other, making them a single target covered by peptides VlsE21 through VlsE31 and VlsE336 through VlsE343.<ref name="Chandra" /> It has been found that antibodies that interact with this membrane-proximal part become more potent in later stages of infection. According to ELISA results, post Lyme disease syndrome patients exhibited much higher antibody activity at the epitopes than fully recovered patients. Therefore, detection of these antibodies are useful in patient follow-ups, especially with those experiencing the later stages of Lyme disease.<ref name="Chandra" />