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Borrelia belongs to a genus of bacteria of the spirochete phylum. Borrelia causes borreliosis, which is a zoonotic, vector-borne disease transmitted mainly by ticks and some by lice, depending on the species. Of the 36 known species of Borrelia, 12 are distinguished to cause Lyme disease or borreliosis and are transmitted by ticks. The main Borrelia species causing Lyme disease are Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia afzelii, and Borrelia garinii. The Borrelia genus members have a linear chromosome which is about 900 kbp in length as well as an excess of both linear and circular plasmids in the 5-220 kbp size range. The plasmids are atypical, as compared to most bacterial plasmids, since they contain many paralogous sequences, a large number of pseudogenes and, in some cases, essential genes. Moreover, a number of the plasmids have features suggesting that they are prophages.

Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II DO Beta (HLA-DOB) is a part of the HLA class II beta chain paralogues. This class II beta chain is a heterodimer which is located in intracellular vesicles and consists of an alpha (DOA) and a beta chain (DOB), both anchored in the membrane. HLA-DOB which interacts with the HLA-DM molecule in B-cells is a significant modulator in the HLA class II restricted antigen presentation pathway. Class II molecules are expressed in antigen presenting cells such as B lymphocytes, dendritic cells and macrophages.

ICAM-1 also called CD54 is a single chain membrane glycoprotein expressed on the surface of a variety of non-haematopoietic and haematopoietic cell types and has roles in signal transduction, cell signaling and lymphocyte adhesion. ICAM1 binds to integrins such as CD11a / CD18, or CD11b / CD18. ICAM1 is also used by Rhinovirus as a receptor. ICAM-1 is an intercellular adhesion molecule constantly present in low concentrations in the membranes of leukocytes and endothelial cells. When stimulated by cytokine the concentrations significantly increase. ICAM-1 can be stimulated by interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFA) and is expressed by the vascular endothelium, macrophages and lymphocytes. ICAM-1 is a ligand for LFA-1 which is a receptor found on leukocytes. Upon activation, leukocytes bind to endothelial cells via ICAM-1/LFA-1 and then transmigrate into tissues.
ICAM-1 is implicated in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Levels of ICAM-1 are shown to be notably elevated in patients with SAH.
Soluble ICAM-1 is detectable in the plasma and is elevated in patients with various inflammatory conditions.

EDA2R (ectodysplasin A2 receptor) mediates the activation of the NF-kappa-B and JNK pathways. Activation seems to be mediated through binding to TRAF3 and TRAF6. In addition, Mutations in EDA give rise to a clinical syndrome characterized by loss of hair, sweat glands, and teeth. EDA2R specifically binds to EDA-A2 isoform. This protein is a type III transmembrane protein of the TNFR (tumor necrosis factor receptor) superfamily, and contains 3 cysteine-rich repeats and a single transmembrane domain however it lacks an N-terminal signal peptide. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been found for this gene. Among the diseases associated with EDA2R are ectodermal dysplasia 1, hypohidrotic, x-linked, and hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a chemokine produced by macrophages and other cell types such as epithelial cells. It is also synthesized by endothelial cells, which store IL-8 in their storage vesicles, the Weibel-Palade bodies. When first encountering an antigen, the primary cells to encounter it are the macrophages who phagocytose the particle. Upon processing, they release chemokines to signal other immune cells to come in to the site of inflammation. IL-8 is one such chemokine. It serves as a chemical signal that attracts neutrophils at the site of inflammation, and therefore is also known as Neutrophil Chemotactic Factor.

Tachykinin-3 belongs to the substance P-related tachykinin family. Tachykinins are active peptides that stimulate neurons, induce behavioral responses, are effective vasodilators and secretagogues, and contract (directly or indirectly) many smooth muscles. TAC3 and its receptor are essential switches of regulator of human puberty, regulated by the brain through the release of the GnRH which starts a chain of processes which eventually lead to the production of sex hormones.
During pregnancy, the expression of TAC3 is restricted to the outer syncytiotrophoblast of the placenta, significant concentrations of TAC3 can be identified in plasma as early as week 9, and plasma concentrations of TAC3 are grossly elevated in pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia. Higher Tachykinin-3 concentrations in normotensive pregnant women may be caused by the advanced gestational age and/or the result of a negative interaction of other vasoactive substances. TAC3 has a role in the continuance of high placental blood flow in normal pregnancy.

FANK1 was localized in the nuclei of identical cells in the seminiferous epithelium. Depending on its nuclear localization, a gene ontology analysis proposes that FANK1 has a DNA binding activity therefor operates as a transcription factor. The extremely controlled expression of FANK1, suggests that it takes part in regulating gene expression in the transition from the meiotic phase to the haploid phase throughout spermatogenesis.

Complement Factor Properdin (CFP) which is a plasma glycoprotein, is a positive regulator of the alternative complement pathway of the innate immune system. CFP binds and stabilizes the C3- and C5-convertase enzyme complexes in a feedback loop that eventually ends with formation of the membrane attack complex and lysis of the target cell. Mutations in CFP lead to 2 forms of properdin deficiency that cause high susceptibility to meningococcal infections.

CCAAT/enhancer binding protein(C/EBP) a is a family of transcription factors that all contain a highly conserved, basic-leucine zipper domain at the C-terminus that is involved in dimerization and DNA binding. C/EBP family of transcription factors regulates viral and cellular CCAAT/enhancer element-mediated transcription. C/EBP family consist of several related proteins, C/EBP a,b,g,d, that form homodimers and that form heterodimers with each other. C/EBP proteins contain the bZIP region, which is characterized by two motifs in the C-terminal half of the protein; a basic region involved in DNA binding and a leucine zipper motif involved in dimerization. C/EBPs differ significantly in their physiological functions and in their downstream target genes. For example, mice lacking C/EBPa die shortly after birth due to severe hypoglycemia and the absence of glycogen storage in liver, whereas knockout of C/EBPb causes defects in female reproduction.

Cyclosporin A is a noncytotoxic, natural, 11 amino acid cyclic peptide used clinically as an immunosuppressant for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders and to prevent organ rejection after transplantation. Cyclosporin acts chiefly by inhibiting T lymphocyte function, which is vital for the propagation of inflammation. Cyclosporin A does not suppress the activity of other hematopoietic cells, does not cause bone marrow suppression and has a rapid onset of action as opposed to other immunosuppressive agents. Nevertheless, Cyclosporin A -induced nephrotoxicity remains an important clinical problem, and oxidative stress has been implicated as a potential responsible mechanism.

Anaplasma p44 which belongs to the outer membrane antigen superfamily (OMP1/Msp2/p44), is a serodiagnostic antigen for HGA. Anaplasma p44 allows the bacterium to adhere to the host cell and prevents host immune surveillance.

IL-1Ra is the natural antagonist of the pro-inflammatory cytokines Interleukin-1? and Interleukin-1?. IL-1Ra is produced by a variety of cells including monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils and fibroblasts in response to the binding of various pro-inflammatory cytokines.

The C3c component is central in both complement activation pathways, with different specific proteolytic systems cleaving it to form C3 convertase. Cleavage of C3 releases C3a and the C3b fragment which is part of the alternative C3 convertase. C3 levels can be low because of decreased synthesis or due to consumption. High C3 levels are seen in highly acute or chronic inflammation, hepatic cholestasis and during the third trimester of pregnancy.
Unwanted complement activation is a major cause of tissue damage in various pathological conditions and contributes to quite a few immune complex diseases.
Compstatin is an effective inhibitor of the activation of complement component C3 and thus blocks a central and essential step in the complement cascade. The specific binding site on C3, the configuration in the bound form, and the exact mode of action of compstatin are unknown. The crystal structure of compstatin in complex with C3c reveals that the compstatin-binding site is formed by the macroglobulin (MG) domains 4 and 5. This binding site is part of the structurally stable MG-ring created by domains MG1–6 and is distant from any other known binding site on C3. Compstatin does not modify the conformation of C3c, while compstatin itself undergoes a large conformational alteration upon binding.

S100A9 is part of the S100 family of proteins containing 2 EF-hand calcium-binding motifs. S100A9 protein is localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus of a wide range of cells, and participates in the regulation of several cellular processes such as cell cycle progression and differentiation. S100 genes include no less than 13 proteins which are localized as a cluster on chromosome 1q21. S100A9 is involved in the inhibition of casein kinase and altered expression of this protein is associated with the disease cystic fibrosis.

RARRES2 is a secreted chemotactic protein that initiates chemotaxis through the ChemR23 G protein-coupled seven-transmembrane domain ligand. RARRES2 is upregulated by the synthetic retinoid tazarotene and found in a vast variety of tissues. RARRES2 acts as an adipokine, and is truncated on both termini from the proprotein. RARRES2 is structurally related to the cathelicidin precursors, cystatin C and kininogens. RARRES2 promotes calcium mobilization and chemotaxis of immature dendritic cells and macrophages. RARRES2 is secreted as a precursor of little biological activity, which requires proteolytic cleavage of its COOH-terminal domain to be exchangeed into a potent and highly specific agonist of ChemR23. RARRES2 signals via its receptor, ChemR23 (CMKLR1), as a positive regulator of adipocyte differentiation and metabolic function. The Chemerin receptor acts as a coreceptor for SIV and some primary HIV-1 strains. The Chemerin receptor has another ligand, called tazarotene-induced gene.

Protein A is a cell wall component produced by several strains of Staphylococcus aureus. The recombinant Protein A is genetically engineered protein and holds 5 IgG-binding regions of protein A. Recombinant Protein A functions basically the same as native Protein A and is perfect for purification of polyclonal or monoclonal IgG antibodies. Protein A binds to human IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4, mouse IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG3 and rat IgG2c. Protein A also binds to total IgG from rabbit, pig, dog, cat, and guinea pig.

The granulocytic anaplasmosis disease is initiated by the Gram-negative bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Anaplasma Msp5 is preserved among the Anaplasma classes and expressed in the salivary glands of infected ticks.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a tick-transmitted obligate intracellular bacterium leading to human granulocytic anaplasmosis. Its outer membrane protein A is a peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein which plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of the disease. OmpA is a part of the porin superfamily sharing a beta-barrel structure.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) is a zinc metallopeptidase vital for blood pressure control and salt and water metabolism.ACE converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II by release of the terminal His-Leu which causes the vasoconstrictor activity of angiotensin to increase.ACE inactivates bradykinin, a potent vasodilator and has also a glycosidase activity which releases GPI-anchored proteins from the membrane by cleaving the mannose linkage in the GPI moiety.

Native human C4 is aglycosylated polypeptide containing 3 disulfide-linked chains. C4 is essential to the activation of both thelectin and the classical pathways of complement activation.Initiation of each pathway generates proteolytic enzyme complexes which are bound to the target surface. These enzymes cleave a peptide bond in C4 releasing the anaphylatoxin C4a and activating C4b. Like C3, the thioester of metastable C4b is highly reactive and is capable of reacting and covalently coupling C4b to amino or hydroxyl groups on the target surface. C4A and C4B are 2 variants of C4 that are common in manwhereas, in animals who have only 1 type usually have C4B.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 is the principal inhibitor of tissue plasminogen activator(tPA) and uPA, the activators of plasminogenand hence fibrinolysis(the physiological breakdown of blood clots). It is a serine protease inhibitor(serpin) protein (SERPINE1). The other PAI, plasminogen activator inhibitor-2(PAI-2) is secreted by the placentaand only present in significant amounts during pregnancy. In addition, protease nexinacts as an inhibitor of tPA. SERPINE1, however, is the main inhibitor of the plasminogen activators.

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 11 (CCL11) is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family that is also known as eotaxin. CCL11 selectively recruits eosinophils by inducing their chemotaxis, and therefore, is implicated in allergic responses. The effects of CCL11 are mediated by its binding to a G-protein-linked receptor known as a chemokine receptor. Chemokine receptors for which CCL11 is a ligand include CCR2, CCR3 and CCR5. The gene for human CCL11 (scya11) is encoded on three exons and is located on chromosome 17.