The role of dendritic cells in the pathogenesis of Lyme disease

Abstract

Pathophysiology of Lyme disease (LD) is complicated and depends on various factors such as individual presentation of antigens, bacterial genotype, early proper diagnosis and response to treatment. Borrelia burgdorferi localised in the skin, is covered by a coat made of saliva proteins Salp, presents mostly OspC and blocks the complement system by using CRASP. Dendritic cells (DCs) act as the first line of specific immunological response, which influences the disease. The type of DCs, level of maturity, proportion of DCs and T lymphocytes influence the level and type of the immunological response. Lyme disease presents mainly immunological response on Th1 lymphocytes pathway, which is proven by the synthesis of interleukin 12 (IL-12) and interferon γ (IFN-γ) in the early phase of inflammation. In a later phase, Th2 response is activated with a secondary increase in specific cytokines IL-10 or IL-4. Therefore, DCs play one of the main functions in the pathogenesis of the disease in relation to the synthesis and stimulation of other cells to release inflammatory mediators. Bacterial ability to invade and disperse in the organism is additionally supported by their vector. Ticks, via local immunosuppressive activity, inhibit early antibacterial mechanisms connected with DCs and therefore favor the infection. This paper describes the role of DCs as important factors in the pathogenesis of LD in both non-specific and specific immunological response. We conclude, that considering a complex role of DCs in defense mechanisms and initiation process of direct immunological response, their role should be accounted in vaccination against-Borrelia burgdorferi.