Differential Binding of Host Complement Inhibitor Factor H by<i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i>Erp Surface Proteins: a Possible Mechanism Underlying the Expansive Host Range of Lyme Disease Spirochetes

Abstract excerpt

The Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, is capable of infecting a wide variety of vertebrates. This broad host range implies that B. burgdorferi possesses the ability to contravene the immune defenses of many potential hosts. B. burgdorferi produces multiple different Erp proteins on its outer membrane during mammalian infection. It was reported previously that one Erp protein can bind human factor H...

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