Borrelia burgdorferi genotypic diversity, pathogenesis, and host cellular responses

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases awarded the University of Pittsburgh $715,313 on June 17, 2026, under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) to investigate Borrelia burgdorferi genotypic diversity, pathogenesis, and host cellular responses in Lyme disease.

The award funds research on Borrelia burgdorferi outer surface protein C (OspC) genotypes and their association with disease severity and progression, including Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB). Aim 1 establishes a 16-year longitudinal tick study and an 8-year longitudinal small mammal study in western Pennsylvania to define the dynamics of OspC genotypes in natural tick and small mammal populations over time. The research employs deep amplicon sequencing to quantify genotype diversity, detect low-abundance genotypes, and identify host-adapted genotypes. Empirical data will inform a compartmental mathematical model to evaluate OspC genotype prevalence, distribution, and public health risks across space and time. Aim 2 assesses how distinct B. burgdorferi OspC genotypes drive genotype-specific immune responses in humans that influence disease severity and progression.

The award is classified as a Project Grant. Performance takes place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The period of performance runs through May 31, 2031.

Abstract

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the united states, with an estimated 476,000 cases annually, and pennsylvania (PA) consistently reports one of the highest case numbers nationwide. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (BB) is a causative agent of lyme disease in the US and is transmitted by ixodes SPP. Ticks. BB produces various outer surface proteins (OSP) and other mechanisms to survive in vectors, evade host immune systems, and to propagate infection within a host. Over 35 ospc genotypes have been characterized, which fluctuate in abundance in natural vector and host populations, suggesting host adaptation. While many lyme-infected patients recover following antibiotic treatment, some may experience neurological symptoms, lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB), which may be associated with specific genotypes. While previous studies focused on clinical manifestations, pathogenicity, genetic variations, and host immune responses using mouse models or patient samples, the genotype-specific immune responses that contribute to disease progression in humans remain poorly understood. Our central hypothesis is that certain BB ospc genotypes, maintained in natural populations, are associated with distinct host immune responses that influence disease severity, progression, and persistence. Aim 1 will define the dynamics of ospc genotypes in tick and small mammal populations over time in western PA to establish a 16-year longitudinal tick study and an 8-year longitudinal small mammal study. Using deep amplicon sequencing, we will quantify genotype diversity, detect low-abundance genotypes, and identify potential host-adapted genotypes. These empirical data will inform a compartmental mathematical model to evaluate ospc genotype prevalence, distribution, and public health risks, including LNB, across space and time. Aim 2 will assess how distinct BB ospc genotypes affect the host immune landscape and cellular responses using human samples. To determine how BB genotype contributes to disease phenotype, we will perform immune profiling studies which will include microscopy-based assessment of infected cell cultures, flow cytometric analysis of immune cell phenotypes, and measurement of genotype-specific cytokine, chemokine, and antigen production (sub-AIM2A). We will also employ multi-omics approaches that integrate single cell RNA sequencing with antibody-based protein profiling (scrna-SEQ/AB-SEQ) to characterize transcriptional and functional changes in immune cell populations exposed to different BB genotypes (sub-AIM2B). This work is innovative in its integration of long-term ecological data with advanced immune profiling and single cell multi- omics to uncover genotype-specific mechanisms of BB pathogenicity and human immune response-an approach not previously applied in lyme disease research. These studies will clarify how specific genotypes influence immune responses and disease severity. Together, the proposed aims will identify critical genetic and immunological mechanisms that drive BB pathogenicity and human susceptibility, informing the development of improved diagnostics, targeted therapies, and public health interventions to reduce the burden of lyme disease.