B. burgdorferi possess proteolytic activity which may contribute to the pathogenesis of Lyme arthritis."

Lyme disease spirochetes possess an aggrecan-binding protease with aggrecanase activity.

"These data demonstrate that B. burgdorferi possess 

aggrecan-binding proteins which may provide the 

organism with additional capability to colonize 

connective tissues. Moreover, our studies provide the 

first evidence that B. burgdorferi possess proteolytic 

activity which may contribute to the pathogenesis of 

Lyme arthritis."


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23710801