023 Tick feeding on human skin represses the local immune response facilitating pathogen transmission

As a consequence of global temperature rise, ticks (Ixodida) and tick-borne diseases are emerging. During tick attachment to human skin, the feeding cavity becomes a site of transmission for tick salivary compounds, which can exert immunosuppressive effects. Tick-borne pathogens including Borrelia burgdorferi may benefit from dampened immune activation at the bite site. We therefore assessed local and circulating human immune cells and cytokine secretion upon tick bite and developed a human skin explant model mimicking Ixodes ricinus bite.
Source: Journal of Investigative Dermatology - Category: Dermatology Authors: Source Type: research