Immune-mediated microbial interference governs Borrelia colonization of the tick gut

The tick gut represents a dynamic environment where various ecological and molecular factors, including interactions between the tick innate immune system and its resident microbiota, govern the success of pathogen colonization. Yet, the mechanisms by which these microbial communities shape pathogen infection dynamics remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that oral inoculation with the gut bacterium Pseudomonas putida modulates immune responses in Ixodes ricinus and restricts infection by Borrelia afzelii. Transcriptional profiling of immune-related genes revealed that Pseudomonas specifically induces the expression of the gene encoding the antimicrobial peptide defensin, reinforcing epithelial defenses without extensive activation of canonical signaling pathways. Functional assays demonstrated that Pseudomonas impedes Borrelia colonization through a host-mediated mechanism rather than direct microbial antagonism. These findings reveal a microbiota-driven immune pathway that constrains pathogen persistence in the tick gut and provide insights into the tripartite interplay between the tick host, its microbiota, and borrelial pathogens.