Jen Griffin

Mrs. Jen Griffin


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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24 July 2024 in Microbiology Research
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ATAndre Taylor
Andre Taylor
JGJen Griffin
Jen Griffin
KAKedzie Arrington
Kedzie Arrington
JBJose Barragan
Jose Barragan
JCJorge Cervantes
Jorge Cervantes
Background: IL-26 has demonstrated antimicrobial properties, as well as in the degradation of DNA from the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). Additionally, IL-26 can promote macrophage activation and enhance Bb phagocytotic activity. It is unclear if cell-mediated immune responses are modulated through TLR9 signaling when exposed to IL-26 Bb DNA complexes in post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS). Objective: We here aim to explore the effect of IL-26 in human Toll-like receptor (TLR)-9’s activation upon the recognition of Bb DNA. Methods: We utilized a single-receptor cell system, HEK-Dual™ hTLR9 cells, which harbors two reporter plasmids for the NF-κB and IL-8 signaling pathways. Bb DNA was exposed to increasing concentrations of IL-26 in monomeric or dimeric form and then used to stimulate the cells for 4 h. The TLR-9 ligand CpG was used as a control. Results: We observed that NF-κB and IL-8 activation was maximal when the cells were stimulated with Bb DNA that had been treated with 5 µM of IL-26 monomer and 1 µM of IL-26 dimer. The same was observed for IL-8 activation upon CpG stimulation. We observed, however, a decrease in NF-κB activation when treated with either form of IL-26. An NF-κB activation increase did not occur with IL-26-treated TLR9 ligand CpG. Conclusions: Our study shows an enhancement in NF-κB and IL-8 activation upon the recognition of IL-26-treated Bb DNA by TLR9, which suggests an increase in sensing by the TLR9 of Bb DNA when it is in the form of an IL-26-Bb DNA complex. These findings will prompt further studies on the interaction between IL-26 and Bb DNA.