Host-derived lipids license proliferation of sterol-auxotrophic tick cells and promote flavivirus output
Helena Frantová, Alexey Bondar, Luïse Robbertse, Maria Szomek, Sára Kropáčková, Arian Ebrahimi, Lucie Řimnáčová, Emanuel Barth, David Hartmann, Monika Čížková, Jan Kamiš, Lesley Bell-Sakyi, Petr Kopáček, Zdeněk Franta, Veronika Urbanová, , Jan Perner
This study shows host-derived lipids are essential for tick cell proliferation and flavivirus output, revealing their role in regulating cellular state and viral production.
bioRxiv · May 12, 2026 · PreprintMicrobiology