Borrelia DbpA

Borrelia burgdorferi is the causative agent of Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness that affects various tissues in the human body, including the skin, joints, heart, and nervous system. One of the critical factors in the pathogenicity of Borrelia burgdorferi is its ability to bind to the extracellular matrix (ECM) components of the host. Among these components, decorin, a collagen-associated proteoglycan, plays a significant role. Borrelia burgdorferi expresses several adhesins, including Decorin Binding Protein A (DbpA), which facilitates its attachment to decorin and contributes to its infectivity.

Decorin Binding Protein A (DbpA) is a surface-exposed lipoprotein of Borrelia burgdorferi. It is one of the most immunogenic antigens in Lyme disease patients. DbpA binds to decorin, which is abundant in the skin and other tissues, aiding the spirochete in establishing infection and disseminating within the host. The binding of DbpA to decorin is crucial for the bacterium’s ability to colonize and persist in the host tissues.

DbpA plays a significant role in the infectivity of Borrelia burgdorferi. Studies have shown that mutants deficient in DbpA exhibit a marked decrease in infectivity compared to wild-type strains. This indicates that DbpA is essential for the bacterium’s ability to establish infection in the host. Additionally, DbpA has been identified as a potential target for immunoprophylaxis. Immunization with DbpA has been shown to protect mice from Borrelia burgdorferi challenge, suggesting that DbpA-based vaccines could be effective in preventing Lyme disease .

Recombinant DbpA refers to the DbpA protein that has been produced using recombinant DNA technology. This involves inserting the gene encoding DbpA into an expression vector, which is then introduced into a host organism, such as Escherichia coli, to produce the protein. Recombinant DbpA is used in various research applications, including studies on the pathogenesis of Lyme disease and the development of vaccines.

Research on recombinant DbpA has provided valuable insights into the mechanisms of Borrelia burgdorferi infection and the host immune response. Studies have demonstrated that antibodies against DbpA can inhibit the growth of Borrelia burgdorferi and protect against infection. This has led to the exploration of DbpA as a potential vaccine candidate. Additionally, recombinant DbpA is used in diagnostic assays to detect antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi in Lyme disease patients .