Borrelia burgdorferi OspB

Borrelia burgdorferi OspB, or Outer Surface Protein B, belongs to the same outer membrane protein family as OspA, with structural homology and co-expression (especially in ticks). It mediates bacterial adhesion to tick intestinal epithelial cells, assisting OspA in enhancing colonization. In the early host infection stage, it may also participate in bacterial-host cell interactions to support early colonization. Unlike OspA, it may maintain expression in the late infection stage, becoming an immune target. OspB is a potential candidate antigen for Lyme disease vaccines, and combined use with OspA may expand protection range and improve preventive effects.