Lyme Disease Protein Tricks the Immune System and Fuels Arthritis
Researchers identified a Lyme disease protein linked to inflammation.
NapA may help Borrelia evade the immune system.
The findings may improve future Lyme arthritis diagnostics and treatments.
Lyme disease patients often struggle with ongoing inflammatory symptoms including arthritis. Researchers now believe a bacterial protein called NapA may help explain why inflammation can persist even after the initial infection.
Findings from this latest study are a “testament to how unique this bacterium is — and how we need to keep working to understand more about what is going on behind the scenes in order to develop future diagnostics and treatments,” states Mari Davis, lead author on the paper.
Peptidoglycan and Lyme Arthritis Inflammation
In earlier studies, Brandon Jutras, a Virginia Tech biochemist, discovered that as the Lyme-causing bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi multiplies, it sheds a cellular component called peptidoglycan that triggers a strong inflammatory response.
Peptidoglycan is an essential component of bacterial cell walls. Jutras reported that it could remain present in Lyme disease patients weeks to months after the initial infection, contributing to inflammation and Lyme arthritis.
These findings may help explain why some patients continue to experience inflammatory symptoms despite prior treatment.
NapA Protein Tricks the Immune System
More recently, scientists in the Jutras laboratory identified a peptidoglycan-associated protein called Neutrophil Attracting Protein A (NapA) in Borrelia burgdorferi.
“Using microfluidics, we demonstrate that NapA acts as a molecular beacon—exacerbating the pathogenic properties of B. burgdorferi peptidoglycan.”
NapA is an immunomodulatory molecule that recruits immune cells called neutrophils toward inflammatory peptidoglycan.
“NapA is another piece to an ever-evolving puzzle; it seems to play a basic role in everyday bacterial life by helping the overall protective properties of peptidoglycan,” explains Jutras, “but it moonlights as a devious protein capable of tricking our immune system.”
How NapA May Contribute to Persistent Symptoms
According to Jutras, NapA may play different roles during early and later stages of infection.
“Early in infection, when bacteria are dying and releasing NapA and peptidoglycan, it acts as a decoy to attract immune cells, which allows the viable bacteria to escape and cause disease,” Jutras explains.
“In later stages of disease, it may act to attract immune cells to peptidoglycan, a molecule capable of causing inflammation and arthritis.”
This mechanism may help explain persistent inflammatory symptoms in some patients with Lyme arthritis.
Why These Findings Matter
The combination of peptidoglycan and NapA could serve as a future target for improved diagnostics, prevention strategies, and treatments for Lyme arthritis.
“One thing that we know for sure is that this finding furthers our understanding of how peptidoglycan can drive Lyme arthritis patient symptomology.”
For more on persistent symptoms after treatment, see persistent Lyme disease mechanisms and Lyme arthritis treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NapA in Lyme disease?
NapA is a peptidoglycan-associated protein produced by Borrelia burgdorferi that may contribute to immune activation and inflammation in Lyme disease.
What causes Lyme arthritis inflammation?
Research suggests inflammatory molecules such as peptidoglycan and NapA may help drive persistent inflammation in Lyme arthritis.
Can Lyme disease proteins trigger immune responses?
Yes. Studies show that bacterial proteins and cell wall components from Borrelia burgdorferi may activate immune pathways linked to inflammation and arthritis symptoms.
Clinical Perspective
These findings highlight the complexity of Lyme disease and the importance of continued research into immune activation, persistent inflammation, and Lyme arthritis mechanisms.
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References:
- Jutras BL, Lochhead RB, Kloos ZA, et al. Borrelia burgdorferi peptidoglycan is a persistent antigen in patients with Lyme arthritis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2019;116(27):13498-13507. doi:10.1073/pnas.1904170116
- Davis MM, Brock AM, DeHart TG, et al. The peptidoglycan-associated protein NapA plays an important role in the envelope integrity and in the pathogenesis of the Lyme disease spirochete. PLOS Pathogens. 2021;17(5):e1009546. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1009546
Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.
Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention
Thank you Virginia Tech and the Justice lab….this gives me hope as I sit her wondering how to get through this day of pain……Our lives are a miserable existence of pain that we plow through like a hero. I will call the lab today to thank them for their very important work. Thanks Dr. Cameron.. I saw “The Red Ring ” twice on the weekend. Very powerful!!!!!! “I have contacted several of our White House politicians to tell them about it..”The children are suffering” 3 times at the end makes you cry!!!!!!