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Sri-In C, Thontiravong A, Bartholomay LC, Wechtaisong W, Thongmeesee K, Riana E, Tiawsirisup S. 34-kDa salivary protein enhances duck Tembusu virus infectivity in the salivary glands of Aedes albopictus by modulating the innate immune response. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9098. [PMID: 37277542 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35914-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV) is an important flavivirus that can be transmitted to poultry via Aedes albopictus bites. Furthermore, humans residing in the DTMUV epidemic area display activated antiviral immune responses to local DTMUV isolates during the pathogenic invasion, thereby raising the primary concern that this flavivirus may be transmitted to humans via mosquito bites. Therefore, we identified the gene AALF004421, which is a homolog of the 34-kDa salivary protein (34 kDa) of Ae. albopictus and studied the salivary protein-mediated enhancement of DTMUV infection in Ae. albopictus salivary glands. We observed that double-stranded RNA-mediated silencing of the 34 kDa in mosquito salivary glands demonstrated that the silenced 34 kDa impaired DTMUV infectivity, similar to inhibition through serine protease. This impairment occurred as a consequence of triggering the innate immune response function of a macroglobulin complement-related factor (MCR). 34-kDa in the salivary gland which had similar activity as a serine protease, results in the abrogation of antimicrobial peptides production and strong enhance DTMUV replication and transmission. Although the function of the 34 kDa in Ae. albopictus is currently unknown; in the present study, we showed that it may have a major role in DTMUV infection in mosquito salivary glands through the suppression of the antiviral immune response in the earliest stages of infection. This finding provides the first identification of a prominently expressed 34 kDa protein in Ae. albopictus saliva that could serve as a target for controlling DTMUV replication in mosquito vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chalida Sri-In
- Animal Vector-Borne Disease Research Unit, Veterinary Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Aunyaratana Thontiravong
- Animal Vector-Borne Disease Research Unit, Veterinary Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Lyric C Bartholomay
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Wittawat Wechtaisong
- Animal Vector-Borne Disease Research Unit, Veterinary Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Kritsada Thongmeesee
- Animal Vector-Borne Disease Research Unit, Veterinary Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Elizabeth Riana
- Animal Vector-Borne Disease Research Unit, Veterinary Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Sonthaya Tiawsirisup
- Animal Vector-Borne Disease Research Unit, Veterinary Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
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Yadav M, Dahiya N, Sehrawat N. Mosquito gene targeted RNAi studies for vector control. Funct Integr Genomics 2023; 23:180. [PMID: 37227504 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-023-01072-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases are serious public health concern. Mosquito is one of the major vectors responsible for the transmission of a number of diseases like malaria, Zika, chikungunya, dengue, West Nile fever, Japanese encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, and yellow fever. Various strategies have been used for mosquito control, but the breeding potential of mosquitoes is such tremendous that most of the strategies failed to control the mosquito population. In 2020, outbreaks of dengue, yellow fever, and Japanese encephalitis have occurred worldwide. Continuous insecticide use resulted in strong resistance and disturbed the ecosystem. RNA interference is one of the strategies opted for mosquito control. There are a number of mosquito genes whose inhibition affected mosquito survival and reproduction. Such kind of genes could be used as bioinsecticides for vector control without disturbing the natural ecosystem. Several studies have targeted mosquito genes at different developmental stages by the RNAi mechanism and result in vector control. In the present review, we included RNAi studies conducted for vector control by targeting mosquito genes at different developmental stages using different delivery methods. The review could help the researcher to find out novel genes of mosquitoes for vector control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahima Yadav
- Department of Genetics, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, India
| | - Nisha Dahiya
- Department of Genetics, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, India
| | - Neelam Sehrawat
- Department of Genetics, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, India.
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Feng M, Swevers L, Sun J. Hemocyte Clusters Defined by scRNA-Seq in Bombyx mori: In Silico Analysis of Predicted Marker Genes and Implications for Potential Functional Roles. Front Immunol 2022; 13:852702. [PMID: 35281044 PMCID: PMC8914287 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.852702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the hemolymph, insect hemocytes constitute a heterogeneous population of macrophage-like cells that play important roles in innate immunity, homeostasis and development. Classification of hemocytes in different subtypes by size, morphology and biochemical or immunological markers has been difficult and only in Drosophila extensive genetic analysis allowed the construction of a coherent picture of hemocyte differentiation from pro-hemocytes to granulocytes, crystal cells and plasmatocytes. However, the advent of high-throughput single cell technologies, such as single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), is bound to have a high impact on the study of hemocytes subtypes and their phenotypes in other insects for which a sophisticated genetic toolbox is not available. Instead of averaging gene expression across all cells as occurs in bulk-RNA-seq, scRNA-seq allows high-throughput and specific visualization of the differentiation status of individual cells. With scRNA-seq, interesting cell types can be identified in heterogeneous populations and direct analysis of rare cell types is possible. Next to its ability to profile the transcriptomes of individual cells in tissue samples, scRNA-seq can be used to propose marker genes that are characteristic of different hemocyte subtypes and predict their functions. In this perspective, the identities of the different marker genes that were identified by scRNA-seq analysis to define 13 distinct cell clusters of hemocytes in larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, are discussed in detail. The analysis confirms the broad division of hemocytes in granulocytes, plasmatocytes, oenocytoids and perhaps spherulocytes but also reveals considerable complexity at the molecular level and highly specialized functions. In addition, predicted hemocyte marker genes in Bombyx generally show only limited convergence with the genes that are considered characteristic for hemocyte subtypes in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Aghia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece
| | - Jingchen Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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Liu WT, Chen CC, Ji DD, Tu WC. The cecropin-prophenoloxidase regulatory mechanism is a cross-species physiological function in mosquitoes. iScience 2022; 25:104478. [PMID: 35712072 PMCID: PMC9194137 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
This study's aim was to investigate whether the cecropin-prophenoloxidase regulatory mechanism is a cross-species physiological function among mosquitoes. BLAST and phylogenetic analysis revealed that three mosquito cecropin Bs, namely Aedes albopictus cecropin B (Aalcec B), Armigeres subalbatus cecropin B2 (Ascec B2), and Culex quinquefasciatus cecropin B1 (Cqcec B1), play crucial roles in cuticle formation during pupal development via the regulation of prophenoloxidase 3 (PPO 3). The effects of cecropin B knockdown were rescued in a cross-species manner by injecting synthetic cecropin B peptide into pupae. Further investigations showed that these three cecropin B peptides bind to TTGG(A/C)A motifs within each of the PPO 3 DNA fragments obtained from these three mosquitoes. These results suggest that Aalcec B, Ascec B2, and Cqcec B1 each play an important role as a transcription factor in cuticle formation and that similar cecropin-prophenoloxidase regulatory mechanisms exist in multiple mosquito species. Cecropin B is able to regulate PPO 3 expression in the pupae Cecropin B binds to TTGG(A/C)A motifs within the PPO 3 DNA The knockdown of cecropin B was rescued by sequence-similar cecropin B peptides The cecropin B-prophenoloxidase 3 regulatory mechanism is conserved in mosquitoes
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In Vitro Evaluation of Antimicrobial Peptides from the Black Soldier Fly ( Hermetia Illucens) against a Selection of Human Pathogens. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0166421. [PMID: 34985302 PMCID: PMC8729770 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01664-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are being explored as alternatives to traditional antibiotics to combat the rising antimicrobial resistance. Insects have proven to be a valuable source of new, potent AMPs with large structural diversity. For example, the black soldier fly has one of the largest AMP repertoires ever recorded in insects. Currently, however, this AMP collection has not yet undergone antimicrobial evaluation or in-depth in vitro characterization. This study evaluated the activity of a library of 36 black soldier fly AMPs against a panel of human pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus fumigatus) and a human cell line (MRC5-SV2). The activity profile of two cecropins (Hill-Cec1 and Hill-Cec10) with potent Gram-negative activity, was further explored by characterizing their hemolysis, time-to-kill kinetics, membrane-permeabilization properties, and anti-biofilm activity. Hill-Cec1 and Hill-Cec10 also showed high activity against other bacterial species, including Klebsiella pneumoniae and multi-drug resistant P. aeruginosa. Both AMPs are bactericidal and have a rapid onset of action with membrane-permeabilizing effects. Hill-Cec1 and Hill-Cec10 were also able to prevent P. aeruginosa biofilm formation, but no relevant effect was seen on biofilm eradication. Overall, Hill-Cec1 and Hill-Cec10 are promising leads for new antimicrobial development to treat critical infections caused by Gram-negative pathogens such as P. aeruginosa. IMPORTANCE With the ever growing antimicrobial resistance, finding new candidates for antimicrobial drug development is indispensable. Antimicrobial peptides have steadily gained attention as alternatives for conventional antibiotics, due to some highly desirable characteristics, such as their low propensity for resistance development. With this article, we aim to upgrade the knowledge on the activity of black soldier fly antimicrobial peptides and their potential as future therapeutics. To achieve this, we have evaluated for the first time a library of 36 synthetically produced peptides from the black soldier fly against a range of human pathogens and a human cell line. Two selected peptides have undergone additional testing to characterize their antimicrobial profile against P. aeruginosa, a clinically important Gram-negative pathogen with a high established resistance. Overall, this research has contributed to the search for new peptide drug leads to combat the rising antimicrobial resistance.
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Reitmayer CM, Pathak AK, Harrington LC, Brindley MA, Cator LJ, Murdock CC. Sex, age, and parental harmonic convergence behavior affect the immune performance of Aedes aegypti offspring. Commun Biol 2021; 4:723. [PMID: 34117363 PMCID: PMC8196008 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02236-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Harmonic convergence is a potential cue, female mosquitoes use to choose male mates. However, very little is known about the benefits this choice confers to offspring performance. Using Aedes aegypti (an important vector of human disease), we investigated whether offspring of converging parental pairs showed differences in immune competence compared to offspring derived from non-converging parental pairs. Here we show that harmonic convergence, along with several other interacting factors (sex, age, reproductive, and physiological status), significantly shaped offspring immune responses (melanization and response to a bacterial challenge). Harmonic convergence had a stronger effect on the immune response of male offspring than on female offspring. Further, female offspring from converging parental pairs disseminated dengue virus more quickly than offspring derived from non-converging parental pairs. Our results provide insight into a wide range of selective pressures shaping mosquito immune function and could have important implications for disease transmission and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine M Reitmayer
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Center for Tropical and Global Emerging Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, UK
| | - Ashutosh K Pathak
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Center for Tropical and Global Emerging Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Laura C Harrington
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Northeast Center for Excellence for Vector-borne Disease Research, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Melinda A Brindley
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Lauren J Cator
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Ascot, UK
| | - Courtney C Murdock
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
- Center for Tropical and Global Emerging Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Ithaca, NY, USA.
- Northeast Center for Excellence for Vector-borne Disease Research, Ithaca, NY, USA.
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
- Center for Ecology of Infectious Diseases, Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
- Riverbasin Center, Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
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Bobadilla Alvarez MC, Palomino Cadenas EJ. CONTROL DE Aedes aegypti (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE) MEDIANTE ACTINOBACTERIAS FORMADORAS DE BIOPELÍCULAS. ACTA BIOLÓGICA COLOMBIANA 2021. [DOI: 10.15446/abc.v26n3.86966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
El phylum Actinobacteria incluye miembros productores de compuestos bioinsecticidas. No obstante, la sobreexplotacion de metabolitos derivados de Streptomyces ha conllevado a explorar nuevas moléculas provenientes de bacterias no estreptomicetos para contrarrestar la resistencia a insecticidas químicos en Aedes aegypti. Concordantes con el uso de bioagentes ecológicos, esta investigación caracterizó actinobacterias formadoras de biopelículas con el fin de evaluar su dinámica de crecimiento, actividad larvicida y efectos subletales. La identificación, crecimiento de biopelículas y bioactividades se realizaron por cultivos, análisis de imágenes por fotomicrografía y bioensayos. Los resultados mostraron que las biopelículas pertenecen a Pseudonocardiaceae (PsA1TA) y Corynebacteriaceae (CoA2CA) característicamente dependientes del revestimiento cuticular. PsA1TA coloniza estructuras membranosas de tórax y abdomen con microcolonias aleatoriamente distribuidas que desarrollan a extensas biopelículas mono y biestratificadas, al cubrir cuatro veces la amplitud toracoabdominal (envergadura infectiva entre 1010 µm a 1036 µm). En contraste, CoA2CA envuelve radialmente estructuras esclerotizadas cefálica y anal al triplicar la amplitud de tales órganos (1820 a 2030 µm y 1650 a 1860 µm, respectivamente). Las biopelículas ejercieron mortalidad diferenciada a todos los estadios larvales, no obstante, PsA1TA resultó más mortal y virulento en el segundo estadio larval (58 %-96 horas, TL50: 3,4 días), mientras que CoA2CA lo fue en el cuarto estadio larval (85 %-96 horas, TL50: 2,5 días). CoA2CA indujo emergencia incompleta de adultos farados y despliegue de tarsos curvos en emergentes, además de revestir con robustas biopelículas cadáveres larvarios. Las biopelículas actinobacterianas revelaron ejercer función larvicida y respuestas subletales en A. aegypti.
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