Authors: Joppe W. R. Hovius, Maarten F. Bijlsma, Gerritje J. W. van der Windt, W. Joost Wiersinga, Bastiaan J. D. Boukens, Jeroen Coumou, Anneke Oei, Regina de Beer, Alex F. de Vos, Cornelis van ‘t Veer, Alje P. van Dam, Penghua Wang, Erol Fikrig, Marcel M. Levi, Joris J. T. H. Roelofs, Tom van der Poll
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000447
Abstract Summary
Researchers found that the urokinase receptor (uPAR) plays a crucial role in fighting Lyme disease bacteria. Mice lacking uPAR had higher bacterial loads and more severe heart inflammation when infected with Borrelia burgdorferi. The study reveals uPAR helps immune cells engulf and destroy the spirochete, independent of its typical fibrinolytic functions—suggesting new therapeutic targets for Lyme disease.
Why Brain? đź§
Study reveals urokinase receptor (uPAR) is crucial for immune cells to engulf and clear Lyme disease bacteria, independent of its known clotting functions, suggesting new therapeutic targets.
The image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes only. Courtesy of Midjourney.
