Immunization with recombinant subolesin does not reduce tick infection with tick-borne encephalitis virus nor protect mice against disease

► Subolesin expression is downregulated during Ixodes ricinus tick feeding. ► Subolesin is induced in ticks infected with TBEV. ► Vaccination with subolesin reduced gene mRNA levels in nymphs. ► Subolesin vaccination did not reduce tick infection and transmission of TBEV.