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Bourne ME, Lucas-Barbosa D, Verhulst NO. Host location by arthropod vectors: are microorganisms in control? CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 65:101239. [PMID: 39067510 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2024.101239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Vector-borne microorganisms are dependent on their arthropod vector for their transmission to and from vertebrates. The 'parasite manipulation hypothesis' states that microorganisms are likely to evolve manipulations of such interactions for their own selective benefit. Recent breakthroughs uncovered novel ecological interactions initiated by vector-borne microorganisms, which are linked to different stages of the host location by their arthropod vectors. Therefore, we give an actualised overview of the various means through which vector-borne microorganisms impact their vertebrate and arthropod hosts to ultimately benefit their own transmission. Harnessing the directionality and underlying mechanisms of these interactions driven by vector-borne microorganisms may provide tools to reduce the spread of pathogenic vector-borne microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchel E Bourne
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse and Medical Faculty, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266A, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Dani Lucas-Barbosa
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse and Medical Faculty, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266A, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland; Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Ackerstrasse 113, 5070 Frick, Switzerland
| | - Niels O Verhulst
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse and Medical Faculty, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266A, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
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Leyria J, Guarneri AA, Lorenzo MG, Nouzova M, Noriega FG, Benrabaa SAM, Fernandez-Lima F, Valadares Tose L, Orchard I, Lange AB. Effects of mating on female reproductive physiology in the insect model, Rhodnius prolixus, a vector of the causative parasite of Chagas disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011640. [PMID: 37729234 PMCID: PMC10545099 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The blood-sucking hemipteran Rhodnius prolixus is one of the main vectors of Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease that affects several million people worldwide. Consuming a blood meal and mating are events with a high epidemiological impact since after each meal, mated females can lay fertile eggs that result in hundreds of offspring. Thus, a better knowledge of the control of R. prolixus reproductive capacity may provide targets for developing novel strategies to control vector populations, thereby reducing vector-host contacts and disease transmission. Here, we have used a combination of gene transcript expression analysis, biochemical assays, hormone measurements and studies of locomotory activity to investigate how mating influences egg development and egg laying rates in R. prolixus females. The results demonstrate that a blood meal increases egg production capacity and leads to earlier egg laying in mated females compared to virgins. Virgin females, however, have increased survival rate over mated females. Circulating juvenile hormone (JH) and ecdysteroid titers are increased in mated females, a process mainly driven through an upregulation of the transcripts for their biosynthetic enzymes in the corpus allatum and ovaries, respectively. Mated females display weaker locomotory activity compared to virgin females, mainly during the photophase. In essence, this study shows how reproductive output and behaviour are profoundly influenced by mating, highlighting molecular, biochemical, endocrine and behavioral features differentially expressed in mated and virgin R. prolixus females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimena Leyria
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Canada
| | | | - Marcelo G. Lorenzo
- Instituto René Rachou, Avenida Augusto de Lima, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología (INBIOTEC-CONICET), Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcela Nouzova
- Biology Center of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Parasitology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Fernando G. Noriega
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Parasitology, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | | | - Francisco Fernandez-Lima
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Lilian Valadares Tose
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Ian Orchard
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Canada
| | - Angela B. Lange
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Canada
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Andrade LC, Majerowicz D, Oliveira PL, Guarneri AA. Alterations in energy metabolism of Rhodnius prolixus induced by Trypanosoma rangeli infection. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 159:103987. [PMID: 37429385 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.103987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma rangeli is a protozoan parasite that infects triatomines and mammals in the Americas, producing mixed infections with Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. The former parasite is not pathogenic to humans, but has different levels of pathogenicity, as well as causing physiological and behavioral alterations, to its invertebrate hosts. In this study, we measured locomotory activity, and the glyceride accumulation profile in the hemolymph and fat body, as well as the expression of key genes related to triglyceride metabolism, of Rhodnius prolixus nymphs infected with T. rangeli. We found that the locomotory activity of the insects was correlated with the amount of triglycerides in the fat body. Infected nymphs had increased activity when starved, and also had an accumulation of glycerides in the fat body and hemolymph. These alterations were also associated with a higher expression of the diacylglycerol acyltransferase, lipophorin and lipophorin receptor genes in the fat body. We infer that T. rangeli is able to alter the energetic processes of its invertebrate host, in order to increase the availability of lipids to the parasite, which, in turn modifies the activity levels of the insect. These alterations are discussed with regard to their potential to increase the transmission rate of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila C Andrade
- Vector Behavior and Pathogen Interaction Group, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz, Avenida Augusto de Lima, 1715, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP 30190-009, Brazil
| | - David Majerowicz
- Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Prédio do CCS, bloco A, 2° andar, sala 48, CEP: 21941-590, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; INCT-EM, Brazil
| | - Pedro L Oliveira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil; INCT-EM, Brazil
| | - Alessandra A Guarneri
- Vector Behavior and Pathogen Interaction Group, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz, Avenida Augusto de Lima, 1715, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP 30190-009, Brazil; INCT-EM, Brazil.
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Duarte da Silva B, Guarneri AA. Trypanosoma rangeli infection impairs reproductive success of Rhodnius prolixus. Parasitology 2022; 150:1-7. [PMID: 36259320 PMCID: PMC10090635 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022001470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma rangeli is a protozoan that infects triatomines and mammals in Central and South America. Although it does not cause disease to humans, this parasite produces different levels of pathogenicity to its invertebrate host, mainly in species of the genus Rhodnius. In this study, we followed T. rangeli-infected and uninfected pairs throughout their adult lives and measured the amount of blood ingested, number of eggs laid, number of eggs hatched and proportion of infertile eggs, as well as female life expectancy. We found that all reproductive parameters were drastically decreased during infection, mainly due to the reduced amount of blood the infected insects ingested throughout their lives. Reproductive parameters were also affected by the reduction of the life expectancy of infected females, as survival was positively correlated with the number of eggs laid. The strategies used by the parasite to be transmitted are discussed in view of the pathological effects it causes in the insect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Duarte da Silva
- Vector Behavior and Pathogen Interaction Group, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Aparecida Guarneri
- Vector Behavior and Pathogen Interaction Group, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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