ArticleBMC infectious diseases2024
The AxBioTick study - immune gene expression signatures in human skin bitten by Borrelia-infected versus non-infected ticks.
Article in BMC infectious diseases, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Identification and mapping of potential and highly likely vectors for selected vector-borne diseases in the EU and neighbouring countries.EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundBorrelia infection is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and transmitted by Ixodes ricinus ticks, a common tick-borne infection in Northern Europe. The establishment of Borrelia infection depends on transmission of the spirochetes, as well as the immune response generated in the skin after a bite. Here we aim to investigate the local immune response in the skin after a tick bite and assess the possible direct effects of Borrelia, by applying gene expression analysis of the immune response in skin exposed to Borrelia-infected and non-infected ticks, respectively.
methodsSkin biopsies from the study participants were taken 7-10 days after the tick-bite. The ticks and skin biopsies were analysed by real-time PCR for Borrelia spp. and other tick-borne pathogens. Dermal transcriptome profiles derived from RNA sequencing with focus on immune system regulation were created. In addition, we performed enrichment analysis of dermal transcriptome profiles with focus on immune system regulation.
resultsSkin biopsies exposed to a Borrelia-positive tick induced an overall higher expression of immune-related genes. Cytokines involved in the regulation of T-cell and macrophage activation, pro-inflammatory regulators and Toll-like receptor 2, 3 and 7 involved in pathogen recognition were upregulated in skin exposed to Borrelia, although Borrelia DNA was not detected in the biopsies.
conclusionThe evidence of upregulation of genes in Borrelia exposed skin suggests an influence on the immune system of ticks and spirochetes. Characterization of Borrelia-associated gene expression signatures in the skin could contribute to future diagnostics and increase our understanding of the development of various manifestations of Borrelia infection.
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Registered trials
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