An international team of researchers has identified the specific protein that tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) uses to infect human cells, marking a significant breakthrough in understanding how the virus causes neurological disease. The study, co-led by scientists from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, and the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), was published on September 24, 2025 in the journal Nature. This discovery represents the first time researchers have conclusively identified an essential host-cell protein receptor for any flavivirus.

TBEV belongs to the flavivirus genus, which includes other serious mosquito- and tick-borne pathogens such as dengue virus, yellow fever virus, Zika virus, and Japanese encephalitis virus. Until now, scientists had been unable to identify the critical protein receptors that these viruses use to enter human cells. "By conclusively demonstrating that TBEV requires a critical protein receptor to infect human cells, we open the field to discovering receptors for other flaviviruses and devising therapies for the devastating infections they cause," said study co-leader Kartik Chandran, Ph.D., professor of microbiology & immunology at Einstein.

The research team identified LRP8 as the crucial protein that acts as a receptor for TBEV infection. Using a sophisticated screening method, researchers exposed thousands of cell variants with different genes removed to TBEV and found that cells lacking the LRP8 gene survived exposure. "LRP8 is a protein on the cell surface that is highly expressed in brain cells," explained Sara Gredmark Russ, Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases at Karolinska Institutet, who led the study at KI. The protein essentially functions as a "door opener" for the virus to enter human cells.

This discovery has significant implications for developing new treatments for tick-borne encephalitis, a disease that currently has no specific antiviral therapies available despite the existence of a preventive vaccine. TBEV is transmitted through tick bites and can infect the brain and spinal cord, causing severe and sometimes life-threatening neurological disease. With the virus endemic throughout Northern, Central and Eastern Europe, and Central and East Asia, and cases expected to increase due to climate change and expanding tick habitats, this breakthrough provides a crucial foundation for future antiviral drug development.

IFK Värnamo's Allsvenskan survival hopes were extinguished on Sunday despite a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer from Marcus Antonsson against IF Brommapojkarna. The 1-1 draw at Finnvedsvallen mathematically confirmed Värnamo's relegation to Superettan with three matches remaining in the season. Victor Lind had given Brommapojkarna a late 1-0 lead with just six minutes remaining, setting the stage for Antonsson's last-gasp intervention that ultimately proved insufficient.

The result leaves Värnamo at the bottom of the table, nine points adrift of Östers IF who occupy the relegation playoff position. With Östers IF set to face fellow strugglers Degerfors IF in the next round, at least one of those clubs will reach 26 points—a tally Värnamo cannot match as their maximum possible points total stands at 25. This mathematical certainty confirms Värnamo's immediate return to the second division after three seasons in the top flight.

Värnamo's relegation marks the end of a promising top-flight journey that began with their Superettan championship in 2021. The Småland club followed their promotion with a tenth-place finish in 2022, then surprised many by finishing fifth last season before securing survival through a playoff victory against Landskrona Bois. This season's struggle has seen the team manage only one win, seven draws, and multiple losses across their campaign.

Brommapojkarna, meanwhile, secured a valuable point that strengthens their position in eleventh place, maintaining a four-point cushion above the relegation playoff spot. The Stockholm-based club made one lineup change from their previous outing, with Junior Martinsson Ngouali replacing Kåre Barslund. Värnamo coach Arne Sandstø also made an adjustment, fielding Simon Thern instead of Carl Johansson as both teams sought crucial points in their respective survival battles.