Discovery of an Adaptive Neuroimmune Response Driving Itch and Fast Tick Removal with Implications for Preventing Pathogen Transmission.

ABSTRACT: Acquired tick resistance (ATR) is well characterized in tick-exposed animals, compromising tick fitness through antibody-mediated activation of basophils. Yet, anti-tick vaccines inducing ATR have had limited success. Here, we describe a neuroimmune event preceding ATR that leads to rapid host-mediated tick removal. Tick-sensitized guinea pigs mechanically remove ticks within 3-6 hours via an acquired neuroimmune-induced itch response that correlates with increased dermal expression of itch-associated genes like OSM and skin infiltration by T cells and macrophages, independently of IgG and IgE antibodies. When we expose humans to ticks, a similar immune response is observed. Blocking T cells before tick sensitization prevents immune cell infiltration to bite sites and abrogates scratching

SUBMITTER: Doehl JSP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12443053 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature