Differential gene expression at tick bite site

Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a delayed allergic response to red meat caused by the production of alpha-gal-specific IgE following certain tick bites. We designed this study to characterize the underlying immune response to tick bites associated with AGS. Our results suggest that Amblyomma americanum bites direct mouse immunity toward Th2 following the initial burst of proinflammatory response and facilitate host sensitization to the α-gal antigen. Tick bite site biopsies from sensitized and non-sensitized mice were subjected to mRNA gene expression analysis to assess the host immune response.