About
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a flavivirus transmitted primarily by Ixodes ricinus ticks and is an emerging public health concern in Europe, including France, where cases are rising despite available vaccines. Each year, TBEV causes 10,000–12,000 severe human infections globally, often leading to neurological complications and long-term sequelae in over a third of symptomatic patients.
This project aims to understand how host genetic factors influence TBEV infection, disease severity, and transmission between mammals and ticks. Using Collaborative Cross (CC) mice, which model a wide range of genetic diversity and immune responses, the team will explore how interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) contribute to antiviral defense and pathogenesis.
In parallel, the project will assess the impact of host genetic background on TBEV transmission efficiency in both directions—tick-to-mouse and mouse-to-tick—providing insight into vector-host interactions. This integrative approach combines virology, immunology, vector biology, and genetics to develop refined mouse models that better represent the human spectrum of disease and serve as valuable tools for vaccine and therapeutic development.
