Adherence of Borrelia burgdorferi to granulocytes of different animal species.

The research investigates how the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, associated with Lyme disease, attach to different types of white blood cells in various domestic animals. Four strains of this bacteria were found to have successfully adhered to the white blood cells, also known as granulocytes.

Research Methodology

• The researchers used four strains of Borrelia burgdorferi z7/22, z7/27, z7/41, and PBi for the experimental study.
• The adherence of these strains was tested on polymorphonuclear granulocytes, a type of white blood cell, taken from domestic animals including horses, cattle, sheep, and dogs.

Findings of the Study

• All four strains of B. burgdorferi were found to adhere to the granulocytes of all the examined domestic animals. This suggests a general compatibility of the bacteria with these animal species.
• Through binding assays – laboratory procedures to assess the interaction between two molecules – it was determined that this adherence happened through specific structures (referred to as “binding-sites”) on the surface of the bacteria attaching to structures (“receptors”) on the membranes of the granulocytes.

Characterisation of Receptors

• The receptors that allowed for the bacteria’s adherence were composed of four fractions – A, B, C, and D. These fractions contained components that differed in their molecular weight (MW) and activity level in binding to proteins on the surface of the B. burgdorferi bacteria.
• Out of these fractions, fraction A, with a molecular weight of 80,000, showed the highest binding activity for B. burgdorferi. This suggests that fraction A has components that most effectively allow for the attachment of the bacteria to the granulocytes.

Implications of the Study

• The understanding of how B. burgdorferi adheres to granulocytes can provide important insights into how Lyme disease, which is caused by this bacteria, spreads within a host body.