Datum: 30.10.2025
Náš článek mezi 50 nejlepšími v Nature Communications v oblasti Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
Redakce prestižního časopisu Nature Communications zařadila článek našeho týmu „Targeted volume imaging reveals early vascular interactions of Lyme disease pathogen in skin“ mezi 50 nejlepších nedávno publikovaných prací v oblasti Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.
Výběr připravila editorka Hayleah Pickford v rámci série Editors’ Highlights, která pravidelně představuje nejzajímavější výsledky publikované v dané vědecké oblasti.
Výběr je dostupný na stránkách časopisu Nature Communications i na dedikované stránce Editors’ Highlights.
Strnad M., Týč J., Kitzberger F., Kopecká J., Rego R.O.M., Vancová M. 2025: Targeted volume imaging reveals early vascular interactions of Lyme disease pathogen in skin. Nature Communications 16: 9330. [IF = 15.7] DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64326-w
Abstract
Although the contours of the dissemination pathways of human pathogenic spirochetes in the vertebrate hosts are known, detailed high-resolution information on these processes remain lacking. In this study, we establish an efficient serial block-face scanning electron microscopy workflow incorporating semi-automatic AI-driven segmentation to investigate the architecture of early events following the deposition of Borrelia burgdorferi at the tick bite site in mice. We capture evidence of Borrelia penetrating the lymphatic endothelium via both transcellular and paracellular routes and observe its early presence within the lumen of the lymphatic vessel. The multistep process of transcellular migration is documented in detail, showing sequential invagination and encasement of shorter Borrelia segments by the lymphatic endothelial cells during intravasation. Our findings reveal that the first contact of B. burgdorferi and blood vessels is not random but involves close interactions with pericytes. We also capture the infiltration of immune cells in the skin and their interactions with invading bacteria. Altogether, these observations suggest that Borrelia strategically targets vascular regions with lower mechanical resistance to breach the endothelial barrier, thereby enhancing its dissemination.
Introduction
Robust dissemination and barrier traversal are essential capabilities for pathogenic spirochetes, enabling them to invade and spread throughout the body of a host1,2. Borrelia (Borreliella) burgdorferi (Bb) is the causative agent of Lyme disease (LD) and is transmitted to humans by Ixodes spp. ticks3. To establish a disseminated infection, these spirochetes must overcome a multitude of physical obstacles, including entry into and exit from the blood and lymphatic circulatory systems4,5. The vascular barrier is primarily composed of endothelial cells (ECs) but is functionally supported and mechanically stabilized by a complex microenvironment that includes pericytes (PCs), basement membrane (BM), smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, macrophages, and mast cells6.
