Charles R. Brown, Ph.D., Professor, Veterinary Pathobiology, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO

Abstract: Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the US with approximately 400,000 new cases each year. Lyme arthritis is a common late-stage manifestation of infection and without prompt treatment with antibiotics can persist for months or years. My lab has been studying the pathogenesis of Lyme arthritis for many years and have focused on the roles of eicosanoids in mediating this inflammatory disease. We have previously shown that inhibition of either COX or LOX metabolic pathways has little effect on the development of Lyme arthritis in mice, but does inhibit arthritis resolution. More recently we have focused on the mechanisms involved in this eicosanoid-mediated non-resolution. We have found that PGE₂ and LTB₄ play important, but different, roles in mediating clearance of apoptotic neutrophils from the inflamed joint and 12/15-LO products are also likely playing a role. These mechanisms and more will be discussed.