Tick-Tattoo: DNA Vaccination Against B. burgdorferi or Ixodes scapularis Tick Proteins

Abstract

A DNA tattoo vaccine against OspC induced high specific IgG titers and provided near total protection against <i>B. burgdorferi</i> ss infection by tick challenge. In contrast, DNA tattoo vaccines against tick proteins TSLPI, Salp15, tHRF, and Tix-5 induced low to moderate IgG titers and did not provide protection. Therefore, DNA tattoo vaccination does not seem a suitable vaccine strategy to identify, or screen for, tick antigens for anti-tick vaccines. However, DNA tattoo vaccination is a straightforward and effective vaccination platform to assess novel <i>B. burgdorferi</i> sl antigen candidates in a relevant tick challenge model.