An Ixodes scapularis Protein Disulfide Isomerase Contributes to Borrelia burgdorferi Colonization of the Vector.

causes Lyme disease, the most common tick-transmitted illness in North America. When feed on an infected vertebrate host, spirochetes enter the tick gut along with the bloodmeal and colonize the vector. Here, we show that a secreted tick protein, rotein isulfide somerase (IsPDIA3), enhances colonization of the tick gut. ticks in which has been knocked down using RNA interference have decreased spirochete colonization of the tick gut after engorging on -infected mice. Moreover, administration of IsPDIA3 antiserum to -infected mice reduced the ability of spirochetes to colonize the tick when feeding on these animals. We show that IsPDIA3 modulates inflammatory responses at the tick bite site, potentially facilitating spirochete survival at the vector-host interface as it exits the vertebrate host to enter the tick gut. These data provide functional insights into the complex interactions between and its arthropod vector and suggest additional targets to interfere with the spirochete life cycle.