How the Lyme bacteria change a surface protein to hide from the immune system
Mechanistic Studies of the Role of Genetic Factors in VlsE Antigenic Variation by the Lyme Disease Spirochete
This project looks at how the Lyme disease bacteria swap parts of a surface protein to avoid immune attack, with the goal of helping people affected by Lyme disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pullman, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11252546 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective as someone affected by Lyme disease, the team is changing copies of a bacterial gene that controls a surface protein called VlsE to see which DNA pieces let the bug hide. They use a new genetic trick to introduce mutations into the native bacterial gene and watch what happens in lab-grown bacteria. The researchers also test mutant bacteria in standard animal models to see whether the changes affect persistence and disease signs like arthritis or heart inflammation. Overall, the work aims to pinpoint the DNA signals and protein interactions that let the bacteria vary their surface and escape immune responses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This grant is laboratory-focused and does not enroll patients directly; the experiments are done on bacterial strains and in animal models at the university.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatments or symptom relief are unlikely to receive direct or short-term benefit because this is basic mechanistic research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to stop the bacteria from hiding, which might inform future diagnostics, vaccines, or treatments for persistent Lyme disease.
How similar studies have performed: Researchers have used similar bacterial genetics approaches elsewhere, but mutating the native vlsE gene has been difficult until this newly described method, so parts of the work are novel.
Where this research is happening
Pullman, United States
- Washington State University — Pullman, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bankhead, Troy Michael — Washington State University
- Study coordinator: Bankhead, Troy Michael
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.