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Guizzo MG, Frantová H, Lu S, Kozelková T, Číhalová K, Dyčka F, Hrbatová A, Tonk-Rügen M, Perner J, Ribeiro JM, Fogaça AC, Zurek L, Kopáček P. The immune factors involved in the rapid clearance of bacteria from the midgut of the tick Ixodes ricinus. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1450353. [PMID: 39193502 PMCID: PMC11347951 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1450353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Ticks are obligate hematophagous arthropods that transmit a wide range of pathogens to humans as well as wild and domestic animals. They also harbor a non-pathogenic microbiota, although our previous study has shown that the diverse bacterial microbiome in the midgut of Ixodes ricinus is quantitatively poor and lacks a core. In artificial infections by capillary feeding of ticks with two model bacteria (Gram-positive Micrococcus luteus and Gram-negative Pantoea sp.), rapid clearance of these microbes from the midgut was observed, indicating the presence of active immune mechanisms in this organ. In the current study, RNA-seq analysis was performed on the midgut of I. ricinus females inoculated with either M. luteus or Pantoea sp. or with sterile water as a control. While no immune-related transcripts were upregulated by microbial inoculation compared to that of the sterile control, capillary feeding itself triggered dramatic transcriptional changes in the tick midgut. Manual curation of the transcriptome from the midgut of unfed I. ricinus females, complemented by the proteomic analysis, revealed the presence of several constitutively expressed putative antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are independent of microbial stimulation and are referred to here as 'guard' AMPs. These included two types of midgut-specific defensins, two different domesticated amidase effector 2 (Dae2), microplusin/ricinusin-related molecules, two lysozymes, and two gamma interferon-inducible lysosomal thiol reductases (GILTs). The in vitro antimicrobial activity assays of two synthetic mature defensins, defensin 1 and defensin 8, confirmed their specificity against Gram-positive bacteria showing exceptional potency to inhibit the growth of M. luteus at nanomolar concentrations. The antimicrobial activity of midgut defensins is likely part of a multicomponent system responsible for the rapid clearance of bacteria in the tick midgut. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of other identified 'guard' AMPs in controlling microorganisms entering the tick midgut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Garcia Guizzo
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Helena Frantová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Stephen Lu
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Tereza Kozelková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Kristýna Číhalová
- Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics/CINeZ, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Filip Dyčka
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Alena Hrbatová
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czechia
| | - Miray Tonk-Rügen
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jan Perner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - José M. Ribeiro
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Andrea C. Fogaça
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ludek Zurek
- Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics/CINeZ, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
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Bakker JW, Münger E, Esser HJ, Sikkema RS, de Boer WF, Sprong H, Reusken CBEM, de Vries A, Kohl R, van der Linden A, Stroo A, van der Jeugd H, Pijlman GP, Koopmans MPG, Munnink BBO, Koenraadt CJM. Ixodes ricinus as potential vector for Usutu virus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012172. [PMID: 38985837 PMCID: PMC11236205 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging flavivirus that is maintained in an enzootic cycle with mosquitoes as vectors and birds as amplifying hosts. In Europe, the virus has caused mass mortality of wild birds, mainly among Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) populations. While mosquitoes are the primary vectors for USUV, Common Blackbirds and other avian species are exposed to other arthropod ectoparasites, such as ticks. It is unknown, however, if ticks can maintain and transmit USUV. We addressed this question using in vitro and in vivo experiments and field collected data. USUV replicated in IRE/CTVM19 Ixodes ricinus tick cells and in injected ticks. Moreover, I. ricinus nymphs acquired the virus via artificial membrane blood-feeding and maintained the virus for at least 70 days. Transstadial transmission of USUV from nymphs to adults was confirmed in 4.9% of the ticks. USUV disseminated from the midgut to the haemocoel, and was transmitted via the saliva of the tick during artificial membrane blood-feeding. We further explored the role of ticks by monitoring USUV in questing ticks and in ticks feeding on wild birds in the Netherlands between 2016 and 2019. In total, 622 wild birds and the Ixodes ticks they carried were tested for USUV RNA. Of these birds, 48 (7.7%) carried USUV-positive ticks. The presence of negative-sense USUV RNA in ticks, as confirmed via small RNA-sequencing, showed active virus replication. In contrast, we did not detect USUV in 15,381 questing ticks collected in 2017 and 2019. We conclude that I. ricinus can be infected with USUV and can transstadially and horizontally transmit USUV. However, in comparison to mosquito-borne transmission, the role of I. ricinus ticks in the epidemiology of USUV is expected to be minor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian W Bakker
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Helen J Esser
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Reina S Sikkema
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Vogeltrekstation, Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography, NIOO-KNAW, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Willem F de Boer
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Chantal B E M Reusken
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ankje de Vries
- National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Robert Kohl
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Arjan Stroo
- Centre for Monitoring of Vectors, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Henk van der Jeugd
- Vogeltrekstation, Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography, NIOO-KNAW, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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Zhang YK, Li SS, Yang C, Zhang YF, Zhang XY, Liu JZ. Tetracycline inhibits tick host reproduction by modulating bacterial microbiota, gene expression and metabolism levels. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:366-375. [PMID: 37694307 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks are disease vectors that are a matter of worldwide concern. Antibiotic treatments have been used to explore the interactions between ticks and their symbiotic microorganisms. In addition to altering the host microbial community, antibiotics can have toxic effects on the host. RESULTS In the tick Haemaphysalis longicornis, engorged females showed reproductive disruption after microinjection of tetracycline. Multi-omics approaches were implemented to unravel the mechanisms of tick reproductive inhibition in this study. There were no significant changes in bacterial density in the whole ticks on Day (D)2 or D4 after tetracycline treatment, whereas the bacterial microbial community was significantly altered, especially on D4. The relative abundances of the bacteria Staphylococcus, Bacillus and Pseudomonas decreased after tetracycline treatment, whereas the relative abundances of Coxiella and Rhodococcus increased. Ovarian transcriptional analysis revealed a cumulative effect of tetracycline treatment, as there was a significant increase in the number of differentially expressed genes with treatment time and a higher number of downregulated genes. The tick physiological pathways including lysosome, extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction, biosynthesis of ubiquinone and other terpenoids-quinones, insect hormone biosynthesis, and focal adhesion were significantly inhibited after 4 days of tetracycline treatment. Metabolite levels were altered after tetracycline treatment and the differences increased with treatment time. The differential metabolites were involved in a variety of physiological pathways; the downregulated metabolites were significantly enriched in the nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, galactose metabolism, and ether lipid metabolism pathways. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that tetracycline inhibits tick reproduction through the regulation of tick bacterial communities, gene expression and metabolic levels. The results may provide new strategies for tick control. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Kai Zhang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Si-Si Li
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Conservation, Hengshui University, Hengshui, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yu-Fan Zhang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Zhang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jing-Ze Liu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
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Katak RDM, Cintra AM, Burini BC, Marinotti O, Souza-Neto JA, Rocha EM. Biotechnological Potential of Microorganisms for Mosquito Population Control and Reduction in Vector Competence. INSECTS 2023; 14:718. [PMID: 37754686 PMCID: PMC10532289 DOI: 10.3390/insects14090718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Mosquitoes transmit pathogens that cause human diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya, yellow fever, Zika fever, and filariasis. Biotechnological approaches using microorganisms have a significant potential to control mosquito populations and reduce their vector competence, making them alternatives to synthetic insecticides. Ongoing research has identified many microorganisms that can be used effectively to control mosquito populations and disease transmission. However, the successful implementation of these newly proposed approaches requires a thorough understanding of the multipronged microorganism-mosquito-pathogen-environment interactions. Although much has been achieved in discovering new entomopathogenic microorganisms, antipathogen compounds, and their mechanisms of action, only a few have been turned into viable products for mosquito control. There is a discrepancy between the number of microorganisms with the potential for the development of new insecticides and/or antipathogen products and the actual available products, highlighting the need for investments in the intersection of basic research and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo de Melo Katak
- Malaria and Dengue Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia-INPA, Manaus 69060-001, AM, Brazil;
| | - Amanda Montezano Cintra
- Multiuser Central Laboratory, Department of Bioprocesses and Biotechnology, School of Agricultural Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, SP, Brazil; (A.M.C.); (J.A.S.-N.)
| | - Bianca Correa Burini
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA;
| | - Osvaldo Marinotti
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA;
| | - Jayme A. Souza-Neto
- Multiuser Central Laboratory, Department of Bioprocesses and Biotechnology, School of Agricultural Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, SP, Brazil; (A.M.C.); (J.A.S.-N.)
| | - Elerson Matos Rocha
- Multiuser Central Laboratory, Department of Bioprocesses and Biotechnology, School of Agricultural Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, SP, Brazil; (A.M.C.); (J.A.S.-N.)
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Hegde S, Rauch HE, Hughes GL, Shariat N. Identification and characterization of two CRISPR/Cas systems associated with the mosquito microbiome. Access Microbiol 2023; 5:acmi000599.v4. [PMID: 37691844 PMCID: PMC10484321 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000599.v4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The microbiome profoundly influences many traits in medically relevant vectors such as mosquitoes, and a greater functional understanding of host-microbe interactions may be exploited for novel microbial-based approaches to control mosquito-borne disease. Here, we characterized two novel clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas systems in Serratia sp. Ag1, which was isolated from the gut of an Anopheles gambiae mosquito. Two distinct CRISPR/Cas systems were identified in Serratia Ag1, CRISPR1 and CRISPR2. Based on cas gene composition, CRISPR1 is classified as a type I-E CRISPR/Cas system and has a single array, CRISPR1. CRISPR2 is a type I-F system with two arrays, CRISPR2.1 and CRISPR2.2. RT-PCR analyses show that all cas genes from both systems are expressed during logarithmic growth in culture media. The direct repeat sequences of CRISPRs 2.1 and 2.2 are identical and found in the arrays of other Serratia spp., including S. marcescens and S. fonticola , whereas CRISPR1 is not. We searched for potential spacer targets and revealed an interesting difference between the two systems: only 9 % of CRISPR1 (type I-E) targets are in phage sequences and 91 % are in plasmid sequences. Conversely, ~66 % of CRISPR2 (type I-F) targets are found within phage genomes. Our results highlight the presence of CRISPR loci in gut-associated bacteria of mosquitoes and indicate interplay between symbionts and invasive mobile genetic elements over evolutionary time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivanand Hegde
- Department of Vector Biology and Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease, Liverpool, UK
- Present address: School of Life Sciences, University of Keele, Newcastle, UK
| | - Hallie E. Rauch
- Department of Biology, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA, USA
| | - Grant L. Hughes
- Department of Vector Biology and Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease, Liverpool, UK
| | - Nikki Shariat
- Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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Zheng R, Wang Q, Wu R, Paradkar PN, Hoffmann AA, Wang GH. Holobiont perspectives on tripartite interactions among microbiota, mosquitoes, and pathogens. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:1143-1152. [PMID: 37231184 PMCID: PMC10356850 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01436-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and malaria cause a significant global health burden. Unfortunately, current insecticides and environmental control strategies aimed at the vectors of these diseases are only moderately effective in decreasing disease burden. Understanding and manipulating the interaction between the mosquito holobiont (i.e., mosquitoes and their resident microbiota) and the pathogens transmitted by these mosquitoes to humans and animals could help in developing new disease control strategies. Different microorganisms found in the mosquito's microbiota affect traits related to mosquito survival, development, and reproduction. Here, we review the physiological effects of essential microbes on their mosquito hosts; the interactions between the mosquito holobiont and mosquito-borne pathogen (MBP) infections, including microbiota-induced host immune activation and Wolbachia-mediated pathogen blocking (PB); and the effects of environmental factors and host regulation on the composition of the microbiota. Finally, we briefly overview future directions in holobiont studies, and how these may lead to new effective control strategies against mosquitoes and their transmitted diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronger Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Runbiao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Prasad N Paradkar
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Ary A Hoffmann
- Pest and Environmental Adaptation Research Group, Bio21 Institute and the School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Guan-Hong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Pérez-Ramos DW, Ramos MM, Payne KC, Giordano BV, Caragata EP. Collection Time, Location, and Mosquito Species Have Distinct Impacts on the Mosquito Microbiota. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.896289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The mosquito microbiota affects many aspects of mosquito biology including development and reproduction. It also strongly impacts interactions between the mosquito host and pathogens that cause important disease in humans, such as dengue and malaria. Critically, the mosquito microbiota is highly diverse and can vary in composition in response to multiple environmental variables, but these effects are not always consistent. Understanding how the environment shapes mosquito microbial diversity is a critical step in elucidating the ubiquity of key host-microbe-pathogen interactions in nature. To that end, we examined the role of time of collection, collection location and host species on mosquito microbial diversity by repeating collections at two-month intervals on a trapping grid spanning three distinct biomes. We then used 16S rRNA sequencing to compare the microbiomes of Aedes taeniorhynchus, Anopheles crucians, and Culex nigripalpus mosquitoes from those collections. We saw that mosquito diversity was strongly affected by both time and collection location. We also observed that microbial richness and diversity increased from March to May, and that An. crucians and Cx. nigripalpus had greater microbial diversity than Ae. taeniorhynchus. However, we also observed that collection location had no impact on microbial diversity except for significantly lower bacterial richness observed in mosquitoes collected from the mangrove wetlands. Our results highlight that collection time, collection location, and mosquito species each affect aspects of mosquito microbial diversity, but their importance is context dependent. We also demonstrate that these variables have differing impacts on mosquito diversity and mosquito microbial diversity. Our findings suggest that the environment likely plays an important but variable role in influencing the composition of the mosquito microbiota.
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