Fig. 5

Proposed mechanisms of LB susceptibility in rs1061632 major variant. Upon recognition of B. burgdorferi s.l.-specific ligands by pattern recognition receptors, various signaling cascades are activated in the host immune cells, of which PI3K-Akt-mTOR is one. In addition to proinflammatory cytokines via the MYD88-NF-κB pathway, anti-inflammatory IL-10 is produced, particularly upon mTOR activation. Rapamycin is a mTOR complex 1 inhibitor. The association between the rs1061632 major allele and increased LB susceptibility may relate to enhanced mTOR and IL-10 responses and subsequent reduced antibody formation