Researchers from the Medical University of Graz have identified a genetic factor that may influence susceptibility to tick-borne encephalitis, offering new insights into how the virus infects human cells and potentially opening the door to future treatments.
In a new international study led by researchers at the university, scientists analysed genetic data from around 1,600 patients with confirmed TBE across several European countries. The work formed part of one of the largest genetic investigations of the disease to date.
Using a genome-wide association study, researchers examined roughly 700,000 genetic variants per participant and compared them with data from healthy control groups. The analysis identified variants in the gene ABCG1 that were associated with an increased risk of TBE infection.
ABCG1 plays a key role in cholesterol metabolism, transporting cholesterol from inside the cell to its surface, where it can be collected by high-density lipoprotein particles. The study suggests that certain genetic variants may alter the function or expression of this gene, potentially affecting how the TBE virus interacts with host cells.
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Laboratory experiments provided further support for the genetic findings. When researchers blocked the activity of the ABCG1 gene in cell cultures, replication of the TBE virus was significantly reduced. The results suggest that the virus may rely on ABCG1-related cellular mechanisms to multiply within infected cells.
The discovery may have implications for future therapeutic research. Investigators say that targeting ABCG1 or related pathways could represent a possible strategy for limiting viral replication, although further studies will be required to confirm this approach and determine whether it could translate into clinical treatments.
TBE remains a public health concern in parts of Europe. In Austria, between 100 and 200 cases are reported each year despite the availability of vaccination, and a proportion of patients experience lasting neurological complications.
This news item has been summarised using AI and checked by humans before publication.
Sources
sciencedirect.com
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