Research Summary:
Leptospirosis. The focus of our research is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis and immunity mediated by outer membrane proteins (OMPs). Our laboratory has developed strategies for membrane fractionation and identification of surface-exposed OMPs. We identified a family of leptospiral immunoglobulin-like repeat (Lig) proteins that are targeted by the human immune response to leptospirosis. When virulent leptospires are exposed to host-physiologic levels of osmolarity, expression of LigA and LigB is dramatically increased. We found that the LigA and LigB bind host extracellular matrix proteins, indicating roles for Lig proteins in host tissue colonization. Recent studies indicate that the Lig proteins are extremely promising immunodiagnostic and vaccine antigens. Research supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIAID award R01 AI034431) and VA Medical Research Funds.