Publications by authors named "Elisabeth Ramirez-Zepp"
Ticks are obligate hematophagous parasites and pathogen vectors responsible for morbidity and mortality worldwide. is a vector for at least seven pathogens relevant to human and animal health, including the Lyme disease microbe, , and the causative agent of anaplasmosis, . Tick-host interactions affect the maintenance of tick-borne pathogens in a population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFATF6 enables pathogen infection in ticks by inducing and altering cholesterol dynamics.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
June 2025
How tick-borne pathogens interact with their hosts has been primarily studied in vertebrates where disease is observed. Comparatively less is known about pathogen interactions within the tick. Here, we report that ticks infected with either (causative agent of anaplasmosis) or (causative agent of Lyme disease) show activation of the ATF6 branch of the unfolded protein response (UPR).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHow tick-borne pathogens interact with their hosts has been primarily studied in vertebrates where disease is observed. Comparatively less is known about pathogen interactions within the tick. Here, we report that ticks infected with either (causative agent of anaplasmosis) or (causative agent of Lyme disease) show activation of the ATF6 branch of the unfolded protein response (UPR).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA crucial phase in the life cycle of tick-borne pathogens is the time spent colonizing and persisting within the arthropod. Tick immunity is emerging as a key force shaping how transmissible pathogens interact with the vector. How pathogens remain in the tick despite immunological pressure remains unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study highlights the role of tick immunity in shaping pathogen behaviors, particularly how Lyme disease and granulocytic anaplasmosis interact with their tick hosts.
- Disabling the PERK pathway, which is crucial for cellular stress response, leads to a significant decrease in these pathogens' numbers within ticks.
- The activation of the PERK pathway enhances an antioxidant response that aids in pathogen survival, suggesting a complex relationship between ticks and their transmitted pathogens.