# Characterization of a Lipid Receptor in Tick Humoral Immunity

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · 2021 · $40,662

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The blacklegged tick Ixodes scapularis is the principal vector for infectious disease in the United States and
transmits the Lyme disease bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Despite their public health importance, ticks are
understudied and many of their immune mechanisms are poorly characterized. The recent discovery of a non-
canonical immune deficiency (IMD) pathway in ticks highlighted the gap in knowledge of non-insect immune
pathways. The Ixodes IMD pathway is one of the primary defenses against tick-borne bacteria and is
stimulated by lipids derived from microbial infection. However, several of the molecular components of the
pathway, including the pattern recognition receptor, remain elusive. In this F31 application, we report a
candidate receptor for infection-derived lipids in ticks, which we demonstrate to be important for limiting B.
burgdorferi infection. The central hypothesis of this proposal is that this receptor binds infection-derived lipids
and relays antimicrobial signals in ticks. In Aim 1, the molecular interactions between the receptor and
infection-derived lipids will be elucidated using sophisticated biophysical techniques. We will define these
interactions by measuring binding affinity and stoichiometry, as well as determining critical residues for lipid
binding. In Aim 2, we will examine this protein’s role in immunity through two approaches. As a predicted
signaling component of the tick IMD pathway, we will observe its ability to regulate innate signal transduction.
Furthermore, its role in pathogen engulfment and cellular trafficking will be investigated using state-of-the-art
live cell imaging and confocal microscopy. By completing the aims of the proposed research, we will
characterize a novel receptor in I. scapularis immunity and define molecular mechanisms of vector
competence. Thus, these findings will contribute to new scientific paradigms in non-insect arthropod immunity
and shed light on the evolution of vector-pathogen interactions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10143998
- **Project number:** 5F31AI152215-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- **Principal Investigator:** Anya Josephine O’Neal
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $40,662
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-04-01 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10143998

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10143998, Characterization of a Lipid Receptor in Tick Humoral Immunity (5F31AI152215-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10143998. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*