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A Refined Human Linear B Cell Epitope Map of Outer Surface Protein C (OspC) From the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia Burgdorferi .

Authors :
Freeman-Gallant G
McCarthy K
Yates J
Kulas K
Rudolph MJ
Vance DJ
Mantis NJ
Source :
Pathogens & immunity [Pathog Immun] 2025 Feb 14; Vol. 10 (1), pp. 159-186. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Feb 14 (Print Publication: 2024).
Publication Year :
2025

Abstract

Background: A detailed understanding of the human antibody response to outer surface protein C (OspC) of Borrelia burgdorferi has important implications for Lyme disease diagnostics and vaccines.<br />Methods: In this report, 13 peptides encompassing 8 reported OspC linear B-cell epitopes from OspC types A, B, and K, including the largely conserved C-terminus (residues 193-210), were evaluated by multiplex immunoassay (MIA) for IgG reactivity with ~700 human serum samples confirmed positive in a 2-tiered Lyme disease diagnostic assay (Bb <superscript>+</superscript> ) and ~160 post-treatment Lyme disease (PTLD) serum samples. The vmp -like sequence E (VlsE) C6-17 peptide was included as a positive control.<br />Results: Serum IgG from Bb <superscript>+</superscript> samples were reactive with 10 of the 13 OspC-derived peptides tested, with the C-terminal peptide (residues 193-210) being the most reactive. Spearman's rank correlation matrices and hierarchical clustering revealed a strong correlation between 193-210 and VlsE C6-17 peptide reactivity but little demonstrable association between 193-210 and the other OspC peptides or recombinant OspC. OspC peptide reactivities (excluding 193-210) were strongly correlated with each other and were disproportionately influenced by a subset of pan-reactive samples. In the PTLD sample set, none of the OspC-derived peptides were significantly reactive over baseline, even though VlsE C6-17 peptide reactivity remained.<br />Conclusions: The asynchronous and potentially short-lived serologic response to OspC-derived peptides reveals the complexity of B-cell responses to B. burgdorferi lipoproteins and confounds interpretation of antibody profiles for Lyme disease diagnostics.<br />Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts to declare.<br /> (Copyright © 2025 Pathogens and Immunity.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2469-2964
Volume :
10
Issue :
1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Pathogens & immunity
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
40017585
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.20411/pai.v10i1.756