Borrelia burgdorferi aggrecanase activity: more evidence for persistent infection in Lyme disease

Raphael B Stricker,Lorraine Johnson

doi:10.3389/fcimb.2013.00040

Abstract

Lyme disease is the most common tickborne illness in the world today. A recent study describes for the first time an enzyme produced by the spirochetal agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, that cleaves aggrecan, a proteoglycan found in joints and connective tissue. Discovery of the spirochetal aggrecanase raises many questions about the pathogenesis of Lyme arthritis and lends support to the concept of persistent B. burgdorferi infection in patients with chronic Lyme disease symptoms.

Highlights

Edited by: Catherine Ayn Brissette, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, USA
A recent study describes for the first time an enzyme produced by the spirochetal agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, that cleaves aggrecan, a proteoglycan found in joints and connective tissue
In an elegant study of a potential mechanism of Lyme arthritis, Russell and Johnson describe for the first time an enzyme produced by B. burgdorferi that cleaves aggrecan, a proteoglycan found in joints and connective tissue (Russell and Johnson, 2013)

Summary

Introduction

Edited by: Catherine Ayn Brissette, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, USA. Borrelia burgdorferi aggrecanase activity: more evidence for persistent infection in Lyme disease A recent study describes for the first time an enzyme produced by the spirochetal agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, that cleaves aggrecan, a proteoglycan found in joints and connective tissue.

Results

Conclusion