Understanding how Borrelia recurrentis changes to evade the immune system
Official title: Characterization of vsp/vlp system of Borrelia recurrentis
Funded at Michigan State University · NIH-10868004 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a disease called louse-borne relapsing fever, which is caused by a germ that can make people very sick, especially in some African countries; researchers want to learn how this germ changes to avoid the body's defenses so they can find better ways to treat it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michigan State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project start | July 5, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $187,734 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI182876-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10868004 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals in African regions where louse-borne relapsing fever is prevalent.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not reside in areas affected by louse-borne relapsing fever or those with different types of infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF), a disease caused by Borrelia recurrentis, which significantly impacts health in several African countries. The project aims to characterize the vsp/vlp antigenic variation system of this bacterium, which allows it to evade the immune response, leading to severe illness and high mortality rates. By developing an immunocompetent mouse model, researchers will study how different strains of Borrelia recurrentis behave and how they can be effectively targeted with treatments. The findings could lead to improved understanding and management of LBRF.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better treatments and management strategies for louse-borne relapsing fever, potentially reducing mortality rates.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific vsp/vlp system of Borrelia recurrentis is less characterized, similar approaches in studying antigenic variation in other Borrelia species have shown promise.
Where this research is happening
-
Michigan State University
East Lansing, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rogovsky, Artem S — Michigan State University
- Study coordinator: Rogovsky, Artem S
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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.