A systems biology approach to better understand human tick-borne diseases. Issue 1 (January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Wenna; Barbosa, Amanda D.; Irwin, Peter J.; Currie, Andrew; Kollmann, Tobias R.; Beaman, Miles; Lee, Amy H.; Oskam, Charlotte L.
• Is Part Of: Trends in parasitology. Volume 39:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 53
• Page End: 69
• Publication Date: 2023-01
• Subjects: emerging diseases -- network biology -- systems biology -- tick-borne diseases -- tick–host–pathogen -- multi-dimensional; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Parasitology; Biology; Parasitologie -- Périodiques; Online resources; 571.999
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.10.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-4922

Abstract

Abstract: Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are a growing global health concern. Despite extensive studies, ill-defined tick-associated pathologies remain with unknown aetiologies. Human immunological responses after tick bite, and inter-individual variations of immune-response phenotypes, are not well characterised. Current reductive experimental methodologies limit our understanding of more complex tick-associated illness, which results from the interactions between the host, tick, and microbes. An unbiased, systems-level integration of clinical metadata and biological host data – obtained via transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics – offers to drive the data-informed generation of testable hypotheses in TBDs. Advanced computational tools have rendered meaningful analysis of such large data sets feasible. This review highlights the advantages of integrative system biology approaches as essential for understanding the complex pathobiology of TBDs. Highlights: Established methods used to research and diagnose tick-borne diseases (TBDs) disregard individual immunological variations and rely predominantly on direct and indirect methods to detect pathogens. The skin barrier is a significant contributor that affects disease trajectory. Incorporating the genetic diversity in people may also provide insight into protection or increased susceptibility to TBDs. Computational power of systems biology can elucidate the molecular pathways affected in tick-bitten patients to consolidate complex pathways across the tripartite, namely arthropod vector, microbe, and human host. Deconvolution of the heterogeneity of clinical presentations and definition of specific TBD phenotypes or endotypes can lead to the identification of predictive biomarker panels with the potential to be validated and developed into diagnostics and prognostic tests.