DataVXAdvanced SciencePaper
journal article·2026-06Open access

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

Johannes S. P. Doehl, Tiago D. Serafim, Serena Doh, Charles S. Grugan, Eva Iniguez, Luana Rogerio, Ronja Frigard, Ranadhir Dey, Pedro Cecilio, Xinglong Gu, Pang‐Yen Tseng, Aline da Silva Moreira, Mahnaz Minai, James Oristian, Hans Ackerman, Steven Brooks, Caroline Percopo, Siu‐Ping Ng, Derron A. Alves, Lucas Tirloni, Jennifer M. Anderson, Adriana Marques, Fabiano Oliveira, Shaden Kamhawi, Daniel E. Sonenshine, José M. C. Ribeiro, Mark Hoon, Jesus G. Valenzuela

Advanced Science· Volume 13· Issue 32
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Source abstract

Abstract

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 h via an acquired neuroimmune‐induced itch response that correlates with increased dermal expression of itch‐associated genes and skin infiltration by CD3 + T cells and Iba‐1 + macrophages, independent of IgG and IgE antibodies. Inhibiting the development of acquired T cell memory by averting naive lymphocyte egress from lymph nodes with the sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptor modulator FTY720, before tick sensitization, prevents Iba‐1 + macrophage and CD3 + T cell infiltration to the tick bite site and abrogates scratching and tick removal. This neuroimmune response is independent of Trpv1 as tick‐sensitized guinea pigs treated with the Trpv1 agonist, resiniferatoxin, remove ticks effectively. Strikingly, prior exposure to a single tick is sufficient to generate a fast and active itch‐induced tick removal (IITR) that is observed even in tick‐attached sites distant from the location of previous tick exposure. IITR represents a novel approach to tick‐borne disease prevention through early tick detection and fast removal.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Vector-borne infectious diseases · Dermatology and Skin Diseases · Allergic Rhinitis and Sensitization

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Vector Molecular Biology Section Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health Rockville Maryland USA

Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens (LEP) Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases (DETTD) Office of Blood Research and Review (OBRR) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) FDA Silver Spring Maryland USA

Molecular Genetics Section National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research National Institutes of Health Bethesda Maryland USA

University of Maryland School of Nursing Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science Baltimore Maryland USA

Infectious Disease and Pathogenesis Section Comparative Medicine Branch National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health Rockville Maryland USA

Physiology Unit Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health Rockville Maryland USA

Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health Rockville Maryland USA

Lyme Disease Studies Unit Laboratory of Clinical Immunology & Microbiology National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health Bethesda Maryland USA

Tick‐Pathogen Transmission Unit Laboratory of Bacteriology National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health Rocky Mountain Laboratories Hamilton Montana USA

Vaccine Research Center National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health Bethesda Maryland USA

Vector Biology Section Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health Rockville Maryland USA

Funding

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research · National Institutes of Health

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