IgE and tick bites: how our immune system reacts to tick saliva and may cause allergy or protection
Official title: Role of IgE in human disease and immunity to ticks
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11493845 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at how our immune system’s IgE antibodies respond to tick saliva, which could explain allergies like alpha-gal syndrome or protection against future tick bites.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | March 20, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,356,673 |
| NIH project number | 7R01AI182247-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11493845 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with a history of recurrent tick bites or alpha-gal syndrome who have developed or are suspected of having IgE-mediated responses.
✕Less likely to help
People without tick exposures or IgE-mediated reactions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers at the University of Virginia will study how IgE antibodies develop after repeated tick bites and whether these antibodies target tick saliva proteins. They will use human IgE monoclonal antibodies derived from people with alpha-gal syndrome or many tick exposures to understand the mechanisms of allergic immunity. The project aims to map how IgE triggers as mast cells and basophils release mediators, potentially shaping disease or protection after tick bites. The work focuses on human samples and immune cells to connect tick exposure with allergic or protective outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding IgE responses to tick bites could lead to better diagnosis and prevention of tick-related allergies and improved strategies to protect people from future bites.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that IgE responses can drive allergic reactions to parasites, suggesting a path toward applying these findings to tick-related immunity.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Scott Alan — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Smith, Scott Alan
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.