Borrelia OspA
Greater than 95.0% as determined by SDS-PAGE.
Description
Recombinant Borrelia Burgdorferi (strain B31) OspA produced in E.coli is a non-glycosylated, full-length polypeptide chain having a calculated molecular mass of 27kDa.
Borrelia OspA is expressed with a -6x His tag at N-terminus and purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
Borrelia burgdorferi is the causative agent of Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness that affects thousands of people annually, particularly in the northern hemisphere. One of the key proteins associated with Borrelia burgdorferi is the Outer Surface Protein A (OspA). This protein has been extensively studied for its role in the pathogenesis of Lyme disease and its potential as a vaccine target.
Outer Surface Protein A (OspA) is a lipoprotein found on the surface of Borrelia burgdorferi. It plays a crucial role in the bacterium’s ability to survive and infect its host. OspA is highly expressed when Borrelia burgdorferi resides in the tick vector, Ixodes spp., and is downregulated once the bacterium enters the mammalian host. This stage-specific expression is essential for the bacterium’s adaptation to different environments.
Recombinant OspA refers to the protein produced through recombinant DNA technology. This involves inserting the gene encoding OspA into an expression vector, which is then introduced into a host cell, such as Escherichia coli, to produce the protein. The recombinant OspA can be purified and used for various applications, including vaccine development.
The potential of OspA as a vaccine target was first demonstrated in the early 1990s. Studies showed that immunization with recombinant OspA could induce protective antibodies in mice, preventing infection with Borrelia burgdorferi . This led to the development of a human Lyme disease vaccine based on recombinant OspA, known as LYMErix. LYMErix was approved by the FDA in 1998 and was shown to be safe and effective in preventing Lyme disease in adults and adolescents .
However, LYMErix was withdrawn from the market in 2002 due to poor sales and concerns about potential side effects, despite multiple organizations concluding that it was safe . Research on OspA-based vaccines continues, with newer formulations being developed to improve efficacy and safety.
The protective mechanism of OspA-based vaccines involves the induction of antibodies that target the protein on the surface of Borrelia burgdorferi. These antibodies can neutralize the bacterium, preventing it from establishing an infection in the host. Additionally, passive transfer of OspA-specific antibodies has been shown to protect immunodeficient mice from infection, further supporting the potential of OspA as a vaccine target .
Recent research has focused on improving the immunogenicity and safety of OspA-based vaccines. This includes the development of lipidated forms of recombinant OspA, which have been shown to induce stronger immune responses . Additionally, there is a growing interest in developing vaccines that target the tick vector itself, rather than the pathogen, to prevent the transmission of Lyme disease .
In conclusion, Borrelia burgdorferi Outer Surface Protein A (OspA) remains a promising target for Lyme disease vaccine development. Advances in recombinant DNA technology and a better understanding of the protein’s role in the bacterium’s life cycle have paved the way for new and improved vaccines that could significantly reduce the incidence of Lyme disease.
