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Human Skin Ex Vivo Culture for Tick-Borne Virus Infection Studies

Dakota N Paine1,2,3, Jessica Crooker1,2,3, Saravanan Thangamani4,5

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|June 13, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Powassan virus (POWV) and Deer tick virus (DTV) are tick-borne flaviviruses causing neuroinvasive disease. An ex vivo human skin model offers a novel approach for studying these infections at the primary site.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Tick-borne viral infections, including Powassan virus (POWV) and Deer tick virus (DTV), are significant global health threats.
  • POWV and DTV are North American flaviviruses causing neuroinvasive disease, sharing genetic and vector similarities but differing in tropism and outcomes.
  • Current research relies on mouse models and in vitro studies, which have limitations in cost and applicability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce and validate an ex vivo human skin model for studying tick-borne flavivirus infections.
  • To provide a more relevant model for investigating the initial stages of skin infection by POWV and DTV.

Main Methods:

  • Development of an ex vivo human skin model.
  • Infection of the skin model with tick-borne flaviviruses.
  • Analysis of viral tropism and host response within the skin model.

Main Results:

  • The ex vivo human skin model successfully supports tick-borne flavivirus infection.
  • The model allows for detailed observation of viral entry and replication within human skin.
  • This model provides insights into the primary host-pathogen interactions at the inoculation site.

Conclusions:

  • An ex vivo human skin model is a valuable tool for studying tick-borne flavivirus infections.
  • This model overcomes limitations of traditional animal and in vitro studies.
  • It facilitates research into the pathogenesis of diseases like those caused by POWV and DTV.
Keywords:
Deer tick virusHuman skinPowassan virusTick-borne diseaseTick-borne virus

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