# The cutaneous response to a mosquito bite is influenced by the diurnal rhythm

## TL;DR

The immune response to mosquito bites in mice varies depending on the time of day, with stronger reactions occurring at dusk.

## Contribution

This study reveals that diurnal rhythms influence the skin's immune response to mosquito bites and transcriptomic changes.

## Key findings

- Cells in murine skin show more differentially expressed genes at ZT11 compared to ZT1.
- A higher infiltration of immune cells is observed at the bite site at ZT11 versus ZT1.

## Abstract

The influence of the time of day on the cutaneous immune response to mosquito feeding is not well understood. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes feed on mice throughout the day, and a bloodmeal is most often obtained at times of day that are equivalent to dawn (ZT1) and dusk (ZT11). We observed that cells in the murine skin elicited more differentially expressed genes at ZT11 compared to ZT1. Additionally, we detected more immune cells in the skin at ZT11 in response to a mosquito bite. These results suggest that assessments of host responses to a mosquito bite and mosquito-borne infections may be influenced by the diurnal rhythm.

•The cutaneous immune response to mosquito bites varies depending on the time of day•Mosquito bites at ZT11 induce greater transcriptomic changes compared to ZT1•A higher infiltration of immune cells is observed at the bite site at ZT11 versus ZT1•Distinct subsets of immune cells exhibit time-dependent sensitivity to mosquito bites

The cutaneous immune response to mosquito bites varies depending on the time of day

Mosquito bites at ZT11 induce greater transcriptomic changes compared to ZT1

A higher infiltration of immune cells is observed at the bite site at ZT11 versus ZT1

Distinct subsets of immune cells exhibit time-dependent sensitivity to mosquito bites

Immunology; Dermatology; Biological sciences; Genetics