Currently, the serological diagnosis of Lyme disease is complicated by cross-reactivity with other microbes, including disease agents. A 41-kDa flagellar protein (flagellin) of Borrelia burgdorferi has been shown both to be an immunodominant antigen (IgM against this antigen that arises early during infection) and to possess epitopes that are unique to the genus Borrelia. The nucleic acid sequence of flagellin is known. The intent of these studies will be to synthesize 6- to 10-mer overlapping oligopeptides covering the entire sequence and to screen these putative oligopeptide antigens for epitopes by reacting them first with existing monoclonal antibodies against flagellin and then against disease-state sera. Phase II studies will consist of evaluating prototype ELISA and DIA in large-scale clinical trials to more carefully define the sensitivity of the assays. Phase II studies will also include amino acid substitution experiments to optimize both antigen affinity and specificity.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:Development of a serologic assay for Lyme disease having minimal cross-reactivity would permit a serological diagnosis to be based both on a lower serum antibody titer and in a single test. These ELISA-format assays will have significant commercial potential for clinical and veterinary diagnostics.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
