Molecular analysis of human tick-bitten skin yields signatures associated with distinct spatial and temporal trajectories - A proof-of-concept study.

ABSTRACT: Tick-associated diseases present challenges due to tridirectional interactions among host-specific responses, tick toxins and salivary proteins as well as microbes. We aimed to uncover molecular mechanisms in tick-bitten skin samples (cases) and contralateral skin samples (controls) collected simultaneously from the same participants, using spatial transcriptomics. Cases and controls analysed using NanoString GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler identified 274 upregulated and 840 downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs), revealing perturbations in keratinization and immune system regulation. Samples of skin biopsies taken within 72 h post tick-bite DEGs had changes in protein metabolism and viral infection pathways as compared to samples taken 3 months post tick-bite, which instead di

SUBMITTER: Lee W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11283101 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature