Education

• Ph.D., Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2007
• M.S., Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2003
• B.S., Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2000

Interests & Expertise

Arthritis is among the most frequent pathological manifestations of Lyme disease, occurring in approximately 60% of individuals infected with the tick-borne spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. Cells of the adaptive immune system-particularly Th1 cells-have been considered to play a significant role in the induction of Lyme arthritis. However, recent studies in humans and animals suggest that additional inflammatory mechanisms are also likely responsible for the development of pathology. Using different models of Lyme arthritis in order to investigate a more complete spectrum of inflammatory events, we are identifying previously unconsidered mechanisms for the development, progression, and resolution of Lyme arthritis.

Recent Publications

Kuo, J., Nardelli, D.T., Warner, T.F., Callister, S.M., & Schell, R.F. (2011). Interleukin-35 enhances Lyme arthritis in Borrelia-vaccinated and -infected mice. Clin. Vaccine Immunol. 18:1125-1132.

Nardelli, D.T., Luedtke, J.O., Munson, E.L., Warner, T.F., Callister, S.M., & Schell, R.F. (2010). Significant differences between the Borrelia-infection and Borrelia-vaccination and -infection models of Lyme arthritis in C3H/HeN mice. FEMS Immunol. Med. Microbiol. 60:78-89.

Nardelli, D.T., Munson, E.L., Callister, S.M., & Schell, R.F. (2009). Human Lyme Disease Vaccines: Past and Future Concerns. Future Microbiol. 4:457-469.

Kotloski, N.J., Nardelli, D.T., Peterson, S.H., Torrealba, J.R., Warner, T.F., Callister, S.M., & Schell, R.F. (2008). Interleukin (IL)-23 is required for the development of arthritis in mice vaccinated and challenged with Borrelia species.  Clin. Vaccine Immunol. 15:1199-1207.

Nardelli, D.T., Luk, K.H.K., Kotloski, N.J., Warner, T.F., Torrealba, J.R., Callister, S.M., & Schell, R.F. (2008). Role of IL-17, transforming growth factor-ß, and IL-6 in the development of arthritis and production of anti-OspA borreliacidal antibodies in Borrelia-vaccinated and challenged mice. FEMS Immunol. Med. Microbiol. 53:265-274.

Nardelli, D.T., Callister, S.M., & Schell, R.F. (2008) Lyme arthritis: current concepts and a change in paradigm. Clin. Vaccine Immunol. 15:21-24.