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De Coninck L, Soto A, Wang L, De Wolf K, Smitz N, Deblauwe I, Mbigha Donfack KC, Müller R, Delang L, Matthijnssens J. Lack of abundant core virome in Culex mosquitoes from a temperate climate region despite a mosquito species-specific virome. mSystems 2024; 9:e0001224. [PMID: 38742876 PMCID: PMC11237611 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00012-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
In arthropod-associated microbial communities, insect-specific viruses (ISVs) are prevalent yet understudied due to limited infectivity outside their natural hosts. However, ISVs might play a crucial role in regulating mosquito populations and influencing arthropod-borne virus transmission. Some studies have indicated a core virome in mosquitoes consisting of mostly ISVs. Employing single mosquito metagenomics, we comprehensively profiled the virome of native and invasive mosquito species in Belgium. This approach allowed for accurate host species determination, prevalence assessment of viruses and Wolbachia, and the identification of novel viruses. Contrary to our expectations, no abundant core virome was observed in Culex mosquitoes from Belgium. In that regard, we caution against rigidly defining mosquito core viromes and encourage nuanced interpretations of other studies. Nonetheless, our study identified 45 viruses of which 28 were novel, enriching our understanding of the mosquito virome and ISVs. We showed that the mosquito virome in this study is species-specific and less dependent on the location where mosquitoes from the same species reside. In addition, because Wolbachia has previously been observed to influence arbovirus transmission, we report the prevalence of Wolbachia in Belgian mosquitoes and the detection of several Wolbachia mobile genetic elements. The observed prevalence ranged from 83% to 92% in members from the Culex pipiens complex.IMPORTANCECulex pipiens mosquitoes are important vectors for arboviruses like West Nile virus and Usutu virus. Virome studies on individual Culex pipiens, and on individual mosquitoes in general, have been lacking. To mitigate this, we sequenced the virome of 190 individual Culex and 8 individual Aedes japonicus mosquitoes. We report the lack of a core virome in these mosquitoes from Belgium and caution the interpretation of other studies in this light. The discovery of new viruses in this study will aid our comprehension of insect-specific viruses and the mosquito virome in general in relation to mosquito physiology and mosquito population dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lander De Coninck
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Division of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Laboratory of Viral Metagenomics, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alina Soto
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Mosquito Virology Team, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lanjiao Wang
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Mosquito Virology Team, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katrien De Wolf
- Department Biomedical Sciences, The Unit of Entomology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Smitz
- Department of Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa (Barcoding Facility for Organisms and Tissues of Policy Concern), Tervuren, Belgium
| | - Isra Deblauwe
- Department Biomedical Sciences, The Unit of Entomology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Karelle Celes Mbigha Donfack
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Division of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Laboratory of Viral Metagenomics, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ruth Müller
- Department Biomedical Sciences, The Unit of Entomology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Leen Delang
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Mosquito Virology Team, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jelle Matthijnssens
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Division of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Laboratory of Viral Metagenomics, Leuven, Belgium
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Miranda LS, Rudd SR, Mena O, Hudspeth PE, Barboza-Corona JE, Park HW, Bideshi DK. The Perpetual Vector Mosquito Threat and Its Eco-Friendly Nemeses. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:182. [PMID: 38534451 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Mosquitoes are the most notorious arthropod vectors of viral and parasitic diseases for which approximately half the world's population, ~4,000,000,000, is at risk. Integrated pest management programs (IPMPs) have achieved some success in mitigating the regional transmission and persistence of these diseases. However, as many vector-borne diseases remain pervasive, it is obvious that IPMP successes have not been absolute in eradicating the threat imposed by mosquitoes. Moreover, the expanding mosquito geographic ranges caused by factors related to climate change and globalization (travel, trade, and migration), and the evolution of resistance to synthetic pesticides, present ongoing challenges to reducing or eliminating the local and global burden of these diseases, especially in economically and medically disadvantaged societies. Abatement strategies include the control of vector populations with synthetic pesticides and eco-friendly technologies. These "green" technologies include SIT, IIT, RIDL, CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive, and biological control that specifically targets the aquatic larval stages of mosquitoes. Regarding the latter, the most effective continues to be the widespread use of Lysinibacillus sphaericus (Ls) and Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti). Here, we present a review of the health issues elicited by vector mosquitoes, control strategies, and lastly, focus on the biology of Ls and Bti, with an emphasis on the latter, to which no resistance has been observed in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Silva Miranda
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, California Baptist University, Riverside, CA 92504, USA
| | - Sarah Renee Rudd
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, California Baptist University, Riverside, CA 92504, USA
- Integrated Biomedical Graduate Studies, and School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Oscar Mena
- Undergraduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, California Baptist University, Riverside, CA 92504, USA
| | - Piper Eden Hudspeth
- Undergraduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, California Baptist University, Riverside, CA 92504, USA
| | - José E Barboza-Corona
- Departmento de Alimentos, Posgrado en Biociencias, Universidad de Guanajuato Campus Irapuato-Salamanca, Irapuato 36500, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Hyun-Woo Park
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, California Baptist University, Riverside, CA 92504, USA
- Undergraduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, California Baptist University, Riverside, CA 92504, USA
| | - Dennis Ken Bideshi
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, California Baptist University, Riverside, CA 92504, USA
- Undergraduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, California Baptist University, Riverside, CA 92504, USA
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3
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Edwards B, Ghedin E, Voronin D. Wolbachia interferes with Zika virus replication by hijacking cholesterol metabolism in mosquito cells. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0218023. [PMID: 37811984 PMCID: PMC10715073 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02180-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Arthropod-borne viruses are emerging pathogens that are spread widely by mosquitos. Zika virus is an arbovirus that can infect humans and be transmitted from an infected mother to the fetus, potentially leading to microcephaly in infants. One promising strategy to prevent disease caused by arboviruses is to target the insect vector population. Recent field studies have shown that mosquito populations infected with Wolbachia bacteria suppress arbovirus replication and transmission. Here, we describe how intracellular bacteria redirect resources within their host cells and suppress Zika virus replication at the cellular level. Understanding the mechanism behind Wolbachia-induced interference of arbovirus replication could help advance strategies to control arbovirus pathogens in insect vectors and human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent Edwards
- Systems Genomics Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Elodie Ghedin
- Systems Genomics Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Denis Voronin
- Systems Genomics Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Garrigós M, Garrido M, Panisse G, Veiga J, Martínez-de la Puente J. Interactions between West Nile Virus and the Microbiota of Culex pipiens Vectors: A Literature Review. Pathogens 2023; 12:1287. [PMID: 38003752 PMCID: PMC10675824 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The flavivirus West Nile virus (WNV) naturally circulates between mosquitoes and birds, potentially affecting humans and horses. Different species of mosquitoes play a role as vectors of WNV, with those of the Culex pipiens complex being particularly crucial for its circulation. Different biotic and abiotic factors determine the capacity of mosquitoes for pathogen transmission, with the mosquito gut microbiota being recognized as an important one. Here, we review the published studies on the interactions between the microbiota of the Culex pipiens complex and WNV infections in mosquitoes. Most articles published so far studied the interactions between bacteria of the genus Wolbachia and WNV infections, obtaining variable results regarding the directionality of this relationship. In contrast, only a few studies investigate the role of the whole microbiome or other bacterial taxa in WNV infections. These studies suggest that bacteria of the genera Serratia and Enterobacter may enhance WNV development. Thus, due to the relevance of WNV in human and animal health and the important role of mosquitoes of the Cx. pipiens complex in its transmission, more research is needed to unravel the role of mosquito microbiota and those factors affecting this microbiota on pathogen epidemiology. In this respect, we finally propose future lines of research lines on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Garrigós
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.G.); (J.V.); (J.M.-d.l.P.)
| | - Mario Garrido
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.G.); (J.V.); (J.M.-d.l.P.)
| | - Guillermo Panisse
- CEPAVE—Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores CONICET-UNLP, La Plata 1900, Argentina;
| | - Jesús Veiga
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.G.); (J.V.); (J.M.-d.l.P.)
| | - Josué Martínez-de la Puente
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.G.); (J.V.); (J.M.-d.l.P.)
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Shi H, Yu X, Cheng G. Impact of the microbiome on mosquito-borne diseases. Protein Cell 2023; 14:743-761. [PMID: 37186167 PMCID: PMC10599646 DOI: 10.1093/procel/pwad021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases present a significant threat to human health, with the possibility of outbreaks of new mosquito-borne diseases always looming. Unfortunately, current measures to combat these diseases such as vaccines and drugs are often either unavailable or ineffective. However, recent studies on microbiomes may reveal promising strategies to fight these diseases. In this review, we examine recent advances in our understanding of the effects of both the mosquito and vertebrate microbiomes on mosquito-borne diseases. We argue that the mosquito microbiome can have direct and indirect impacts on the transmission of these diseases, with mosquito symbiotic microorganisms, particularly Wolbachia bacteria, showing potential for controlling mosquito-borne diseases. Moreover, the skin microbiome of vertebrates plays a significant role in mosquito preferences, while the gut microbiome has an impact on the progression of mosquito-borne diseases in humans. As researchers continue to explore the role of microbiomes in mosquito-borne diseases, we highlight some promising future directions for this field. Ultimately, a better understanding of the interplay between mosquitoes, their hosts, pathogens, and the microbiomes of mosquitoes and hosts may hold the key to preventing and controlling mosquito-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huicheng Shi
- Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Xi Yu
- Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Gong Cheng
- Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518000, China
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
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Minwuyelet A, Petronio GP, Yewhalaw D, Sciarretta A, Magnifico I, Nicolosi D, Di Marco R, Atenafu G. Symbiotic Wolbachia in mosquitoes and its role in reducing the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases: updates and prospects. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1267832. [PMID: 37901801 PMCID: PMC10612335 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1267832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus, chikungunya, Zika fever, and filariasis have the greatest health and economic impact. These mosquito-borne diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Due to the lack of effective vector containment strategies, the prevalence and severity of these diseases are increasing in endemic regions. Nowadays, mosquito infection by the endosymbiotic Wolbachia represents a promising new bio-control strategy. Wild-infected mosquitoes had been developing cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), phenotypic alterations, and nutrition competition with pathogens. These reduce adult vector lifespan, interfere with reproduction, inhibit other pathogen growth in the vector, and increase insecticide susceptibility of the vector. Wild, uninfected mosquitoes can also establish stable infections through trans-infection and have the advantage of adaptability through pathogen defense, thereby selectively infecting uninfected mosquitoes and spreading to the entire population. This review aimed to evaluate the role of the Wolbachia symbiont with the mosquitoes (Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex) in reducing mosquito-borne diseases. Global databases such as PubMed, Web of Sciences, Scopus, and pro-Quest were accessed to search for potentially relevant articles. We used keywords: Wolbachia, Anopheles, Aedes, Culex, and mosquito were used alone or in combination during the literature search. Data were extracted from 56 articles' texts, figures, and tables of the included article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Awoke Minwuyelet
- Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | | | - Delenasaw Yewhalaw
- Tropical and Infectious Diseases Research Center, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Andrea Sciarretta
- Department of Agriculture, Environment and Food Sciences, Università degli Studi del Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Irene Magnifico
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Daria Nicolosi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Roberto Di Marco
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Getnet Atenafu
- Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
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Rainey SM, Geoghegan V, Lefteri DA, Ant TH, Martinez J, McNamara CJ, Kamel W, de Laurent ZR, Castello A, Sinkins SP. Differences in proteome perturbations caused by the Wolbachia strain wAu suggest multiple mechanisms of Wolbachia-mediated antiviral activity. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11737. [PMID: 37474590 PMCID: PMC10359319 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38127-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Some strains of the inherited bacterium Wolbachia have been shown to be effective at reducing the transmission of dengue virus (DENV) and other RNA viruses by Aedes aegypti in both laboratory and field settings and are being deployed for DENV control. The degree of virus inhibition varies between Wolbachia strains. Density and tissue tropism can contribute to these differences but there are also indications that this is not the only factor involved: for example, strains wAu and wAlbA are maintained at similar intracellular densities but only wAu produces strong DENV inhibition. We previously reported perturbations in lipid transport dynamics, including sequestration of cholesterol in lipid droplets, with strains wMel/wMelPop in Ae. aegypti. To further investigate the cellular basis underlying these differences, proteomic analysis of midguts was carried out on Ae. aegypti lines carrying strains wAu and wAlbA: with the hypothesis that differences in perturbations may underline Wolbachia-mediated antiviral activity. Surprisingly, wAu-carrying midguts not only showed distinct proteome perturbations when compared to non-Wolbachia carrying and wAlbA-carrying midguts but also wMel-carrying midguts. There are changes in RNA processing pathways and upregulation of a specific set of RNA-binding proteins in the wAu-carrying line, including genes with known antiviral activity. Lipid transport and metabolism proteome changes also differ between strains, and we show that strain wAu does not produce the same cholesterol sequestration phenotype as wMel. Moreover, in contrast to wMel, wAu antiviral activity was not rescued by cyclodextrin treatment. Together these results suggest that wAu could show unique features in its inhibition of arboviruses compared to previously characterized Wolbachia strains.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vincent Geoghegan
- MRC-University of Glasgow-Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
- The University of York, York, UK
| | | | - Thomas H Ant
- MRC-University of Glasgow-Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - Julien Martinez
- MRC-University of Glasgow-Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Wael Kamel
- MRC-University of Glasgow-Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Alfredo Castello
- MRC-University of Glasgow-Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - Steven P Sinkins
- MRC-University of Glasgow-Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK.
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Field EN, Smith RC. Seasonality influences key physiological components contributing to Culex pipiens vector competence. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 3:1144072. [PMID: 38469495 PMCID: PMC10926469 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2023.1144072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Mosquitoes are the most important animal vector of disease on the planet, transmitting a variety of pathogens of both medical and veterinary importance. Mosquito-borne diseases display distinct seasonal patterns driven by both environmental and biological variables. However, an important, yet unexplored component of these patterns is the potential for seasonal influences on mosquito physiology that may ultimately influence vector competence. To address this question, we selected Culex pipiens, a primary vector of the West Nile virus (WNV) in the temperate United States, to examine the seasonal impacts on mosquito physiology by examining known immune and bacterial components implicated in mosquito arbovirus infection. Semi-field experiments were performed under spring, summer, and late-summer conditions, corresponding to historically low-, medium-, and high-intensity periods of WNV transmission, respectively. Through these experiments, we observed differences in the expression of immune genes and RNA interference (RNAi) pathway components, as well as changes in the distribution and abundance of Wolbachia in the mosquitoes across seasonal cohorts. Together, these findings support the conclusion that seasonal changes significantly influence mosquito physiology and components of the mosquito microbiome, suggesting that seasonality may impact mosquito susceptibility to pathogen infection, which could account for the temporal patterns in mosquito-borne disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor N Field
- Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Ryan C Smith
- Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
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9
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Ant TH, Mancini MV, McNamara CJ, Rainey SM, Sinkins SP. Wolbachia-Virus interactions and arbovirus control through population replacement in mosquitoes. Pathog Glob Health 2023; 117:245-258. [PMID: 36205550 PMCID: PMC10081064 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2022.2117939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Following transfer into the primary arbovirus vector Aedes aegypti, several strains of the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia have been shown to inhibit the transmission of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses, important human pathogens that cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. In addition to pathogen inhibition, many Wolbachia strains manipulate host reproduction, resulting in an invasive capacity of the bacterium in insect populations. This has led to the deployment of Wolbachia as a dengue control tool, and trials have reported significant reductions in transmission in release areas. Here, we discuss the possible mechanisms of Wolbachia-virus inhibition and the implications for long-term success of dengue control. We also consider the evidence presented in several reports that Wolbachia may cause an enhancement of replication of certain viruses under particular conditions, and conclude that these should not cause any concerns with respect to the application of Wolbachia to arbovirus control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas H Ant
- Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Maria Vittoria Mancini
- Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Polo d’Innovazione di Genomica, Genetica e Biologia, Terni, Italy
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10
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Li Y, Sun Y, Zou J, Zhong D, Liu R, Zhu C, Li W, Zhou Y, Cui L, Zhou G, Lu G, Li T. Characterizing the Wolbachia infection in field-collected Culicidae mosquitoes from Hainan Province, China. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:128. [PMID: 37060070 PMCID: PMC10103416 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05719-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mosquitoes are vectors of many pathogens, such as malaria, dengue virus, yellow fever virus, filaria and Japanese encephalitis virus. Wolbachia are capable of inducing a wide range of reproductive abnormalities in their hosts, such as cytoplasmic incompatibility. Wolbachia has been proposed as a tool to modify mosquitoes that are resistant to pathogen infection as an alternative vector control strategy. This study aimed to determine natural Wolbachia infections in different mosquito species across Hainan Province, China. METHODS Adult mosquitoes were collected using light traps, human landing catches and aspirators in five areas in Hainan Province from May 2020 to November 2021. Species were identified based on morphological characteristics, species-specific PCR and DNA barcoding of cox1 assays. Molecular classification of species and phylogenetic analyses of Wolbachia infections were conducted based on the sequences from PCR products of cox1, wsp, 16S rRNA and FtsZ gene segments. RESULTS A total of 413 female adult mosquitoes representing 15 species were identified molecularly and analyzed. Four mosquito species (Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Armigeres subalbatus and Culex gelidus) were positive for Wolbachia infection. The overall Wolbachia infection rate for all mosquitoes tested in this study was 36.1% but varied among species. Wolbachia types A, B and mixed infections of A × B were detected in Ae. albopictus mosquitoes. A total of five wsp haplotypes, six FtsZ haplotypes and six 16S rRNA haplotypes were detected from Wolbachia infections. Phylogenetic tree analysis of wsp sequences classified them into three groups (type A, B and C) of Wolbachia strains compared to two groups each for FtsZ and 16S rRNA sequences. A novel type C Wolbachia strain was detected in Cx. gelidus by both single locus wsp gene and the combination of three genes. CONCLUSION Our study revealed the prevalence and distribution of Wolbachia in mosquitoes from Hainan Province, China. Knowledge of the prevalence and diversity of Wolbachia strains in local mosquito populations will provide part of the baseline information required for current and future Wolbachia-based vector control approaches to be conducted in Hainan Province.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiji Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
- Tropical Diseases Research Center, Department of Pathogen Biology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
- Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Yingbo Sun
- Tropical Diseases Research Center, Department of Pathogen Biology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Jiaquan Zou
- Tropical Diseases Research Center, Department of Pathogen Biology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Daibin Zhong
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92617, USA
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570311, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuanlong Zhu
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570311, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenting Li
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570311, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanhe Zhou
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, Hainan, China
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Guofa Zhou
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92617, USA.
| | - Gang Lu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China.
- Tropical Diseases Research Center, Department of Pathogen Biology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China.
- Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China.
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570311, People's Republic of China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, Hainan, China.
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570311, China.
- Academician Workstation of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, People's Republic of China.
| | - Tingting Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China.
- Tropical Diseases Research Center, Department of Pathogen Biology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China.
- Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China.
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Dodson BL, Pujhari S, Brustolin M, Metz HC, Rasgon JL. Variable effects of Wolbachia on alphavirus infection in Aedes aegypti. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.20.524939. [PMID: 36711723 PMCID: PMC9884506 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.20.524939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Wolbachia pipientis (=Wolbachia) has promise as a tool to suppress virus transmission by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. However, Wolbachia can have variable effects on mosquito-borne viruses. This variation remains poorly characterized, yet the multimodal effects of Wolbachia on diverse pathogens could have important implications for public health. Here, we examine the effects of somatic infection with two strains of Wolbachia (wAlbB and wMel) on the alphaviruses Sindbis virus (SINV), O'nyong-nyong virus (ONNV), and Mayaro virus (MAYV) in Ae. aegypti. We found variable effects of Wolbachia including enhancement and suppression of viral infections, with some effects depending on Wolbachia strain. Both wAlbB- and wMel-infected mosquitoes showed enhancement of SINV infection rates one week post-infection, with wAlbB-infected mosquitoes also having higher viral titers than controls. Infection rates with ONNV were low across all treatments and no significant effects of Wolbachia were observed. The effects of Wolbachia on MAYV infections were strikingly strain-specific; wMel strongly blocked MAYV infections and suppressed viral titers, while wAlbB did not influence MAYV infection. The variable effects of Wolbachia on vector competence underscore the importance of further research into how this bacterium impacts the virome of wild mosquitoes including the emergent human pathogens they transmit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany L Dodson
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Sujit Pujhari
- Current address: Department of Pharmacology Physiology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, United States
| | - Marco Brustolin
- Current address: Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hillery C Metz
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Jason L Rasgon
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
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12
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Hussain M, Zhang G, Leitner M, Hedges LM, Asgari S. Wolbachia RNase HI contributes to virus blocking in the mosquito Aedes aegypti. iScience 2022; 26:105836. [PMID: 36636344 PMCID: PMC9830209 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia pipientis blocks replication of several arboviruses in transinfected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. However, the mechanism of virus blocking remains poorly understood. Here, we characterized an RNase HI gene from Wolbachia, which is rapidly induced in response to dengue virus (DENV) infection. Knocking down w RNase HI using antisense RNA in Wolbachia-transinfected mosquito cell lines and A. aegypti mosquitoes led to increased DENV replication. Furthermore, overexpression of wRNase HI, in the absence of Wolbachia, led to reduced replication of a positive sense RNA virus, but had no effect on a negative sense RNA virus, a familiar scenario in Wolbachia-infected cells. Altogether, our results provide compelling evidence for the missing link between early Wolbachia-mediated virus blocking and degradation of viral RNA. These findings and the successful pioneered knockdown of Wolbachia genes using antisense RNA in cell line and mosquitoes enable new ways to manipulate and study the complex endosymbiont-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mazhar Hussain
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Guangmei Zhang
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Michael Leitner
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Lauren M. Hedges
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sassan Asgari
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia,Corresponding author
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13
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Bidirectional Interactions between Arboviruses and the Bacterial and Viral Microbiota in Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. mBio 2022; 13:e0102122. [PMID: 36069449 PMCID: PMC9600335 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01021-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquitoes are important vectors for many arboviruses. It is becoming increasingly clear that various symbiotic microorganisms (including bacteria and insect-specific viruses; ISVs) in mosquitoes have the potential to modulate the ability of mosquitoes to transmit arboviruses. In this study, we compared the bacteriome and virome (both eukaryotic viruses and bacteriophages) of female adult Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes fed with sucrose/water, blood, or blood spiked with Zika virus (ZIKV) or West Nile virus (WNV), respectively. Furthermore, we investigated associations between the microbiota and vector competence. We show that the influence of arboviruses on the mosquito microbiome—and vice versa—is distinct for each combination of arbovirus/mosquito species. The presence of ZIKV resulted in a temporarily increased Aedes ISV diversity. However, this effect was distinct for different ISVs: some ISVs decreased following the blood meal (Aedes aegypti totivirus), whereas other ISVs increased only when the blood contained ZIKV (Guadeloupe mosquito virus). Also, the diversity of the Aedes bacteriome depended on the diet and the presence of ZIKV, with a lower diversity observed for mosquitoes receiving blood without ZIKV. In Cx. quinquefasciatus, some ISVs increased in WNV-infected mosquitoes (Guadeloupe Culex tymo-like virus). Particularly, the presence of Wenzhou sobemo-like virus 3 (WSLV3) was associated with the absence of infectious WNV in mosquito heads, suggesting that WSLV3 might affect vector competence for WNV. Distinct profiles of bacteriophages were identified in Culex mosquitoes depending on diet, despite the lack of clear changes in the bacteriome. Overall, our data demonstrate a complex three-way interaction among arboviruses, resident microbiota, and the host, which is distinct for different arbovirus–mosquito combinations. A better understanding of these interactions may lead to the identification of microbiota able to suppress the ability of arbovirus transmission to humans, and hence improved arbovirus control measures.
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14
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Estimating the Time Reproduction Number in Kupang City Indonesia, 2016–2020, and Assessing the Effects of Vaccination and Different Wolbachia Strains on Dengue Transmission Dynamics. MATHEMATICS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/math10122075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The use of a vaccine and Wolbachia bacterium have been proposed as new strategies against dengue. However, the performance of Wolbachia in reducing dengue incidence may depend on the Wolbachia strains. Therefore, in this paper, the performance of two Wolbachia strains which are WMel and WAu, in combination with the vaccine, has been assessed by using an age-dependent mathematical model. An effective reproduction number has been calculated using the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) algorithm. The results revealed that the time reproduction number varies overtime with the highest one being around 2.75. Moreover, it has also found that use of the vaccine and Wolbachia possibly leads to dengue elimination. Furthermore, vaccination on one group only reduces dengue incidence in that group but dengue infection in the other group is still high. Furthermore, the performance of the WAu strain is better than the WMel strain in reducing dengue incidence. However, both strains can still be used for dengue elimination strategies depending on the level of loss of Wolbachia infections in both strains.
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15
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Sarwar MS, Jahan N, Ali A, Yousaf HK, Munzoor I. Establishment of Wolbachia infection in Aedes aegypti from Pakistan via embryonic microinjection and semi-field evaluation of general fitness of resultant mosquito population. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:191. [PMID: 35668540 PMCID: PMC9169386 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05317-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease that is mainly spread by Aedes aegypti. It is prevalent on five continents, predominantly in tropical and sub-tropical zones across the world. Wolbachia bacteria have been extensively used in vector control strategies worldwide. The focus of the current study was to obtain a natural population of Ae. aegypti harbouring Wolbachia and to determine the impact of this bacteria on the new host in a semi-field environment. Methods Wolbachia-infected Aedes albopictus was collected from the city of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, and Wolbachia were successfully introduced into laboratory-reared Ae. aegypti via embryonic microinjection. The stable vertical transmission of wAlbB in the host population was observed for eight generations, and the impact of Wolbachia on the general fitness of the host was evaluated in semi-field conditions. Results In the laboratory and semi-field experiments, wAlbB Wolbachia presented a strong cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) effect, evidenced as zero egg hatching, in crosses between Wolbachia-infected males and wild (uninfected) females of Ae. aegypti. Wolbachia infection had no noticeable impact on the general fitness (P > 0.05), fecundity, body size (females and males) and mating competitiveness of the new host, Ae. aegypti. However, there was a significant decrease in female fertility (egg hatch) (P < 0.001). In addition, under starvation conditions, there was a remarkable decrease (P < 0.0001) in the life span of Wolbachia-infected females compared to uninfected females (4 vs. > 5 days, respectively). Conclusions Wolbachia strain wAlbB has a great potential to control the dengue vector in Ae. aegypti populations by producing 100% CI with a limited burden on its host in natural field conditions. This strain can be used as a biological tool against vector-borne diseases. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05317-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Sajjad Sarwar
- Department of Zoology, University of Okara, Okara, 56300, Pakistan. .,Department of Zoology, Government College University, Katchery Road, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Nusrat Jahan
- Department of Zoology, Government College University, Katchery Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Azeem Ali
- Department of Statistics and Computer Science, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Iqra Munzoor
- Department of Zoology, University of Okara, Okara, 56300, Pakistan
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16
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O’Keeffe KR, Wheeler BT, Mitchell CE. A Microbial Mutualist Within Host Individuals Increases Parasite Transmission Between Host Individuals: Evidence From a Field Mesocosm Experiment. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:824211. [PMID: 35531289 PMCID: PMC9069011 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.824211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The interactions among host-associated microbes and parasites can have clear consequences for disease susceptibility and progression within host individuals. Yet, empirical evidence for how these interactions impact parasite transmission between host individuals remains scarce. We address this scarcity by using a field mesocosm experiment to investigate the interaction between a systemic fungal endophyte, Epichloë coenophiala, and a fungal parasite, Rhizoctonia solani, in leaves of a grass host, tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum). Specifically, we investigated how this interaction impacted transmission of the parasite under field conditions in replicated experimental host populations. Epichloë-inoculated populations tended to have greater disease prevalence over time, though this difference had weak statistical support. More clearly, Epichloë-inoculated populations experienced higher peak parasite prevalences than Epichloë-free populations. Epichloë conferred a benefit in growth; Epichloë-inoculated populations had greater aboveground biomass than Epichloë-free populations. Using biomass as a proxy, host density was correlated with peak parasite prevalence, but Epichloë still increased peak parasite prevalence after controlling for the effect of biomass. Together, these results suggest that within-host microbial interactions can impact disease at the population level. Further, while Epichloë is clearly a mutualist of tall fescue, it may not be a defensive mutualist in relation to Rhizoctonia solani.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayleigh R. O’Keeffe
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Kayleigh R. O’Keeffe,
| | - Brandon T. Wheeler
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Biology, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, United States
| | - Charles E. Mitchell
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Environment, Ecology and Energy Program, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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17
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Ross PA. Designing effective Wolbachia release programs for mosquito and arbovirus control. Acta Trop 2021; 222:106045. [PMID: 34273308 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Mosquitoes carrying endosymbiotic bacteria called Wolbachia are being released in mosquito and arbovirus control programs around the world through two main approaches: population suppression and population replacement. Open field releases of Wolbachia-infected male mosquitoes have achieved over 95% population suppression by reducing the fertility of wild mosquito populations. The replacement of populations with Wolbachia-infected females is self-sustaining and can greatly reduce local dengue transmission by reducing the vector competence of mosquito populations. Despite many successful interventions, significant questions and challenges lie ahead. Wolbachia, viruses and their mosquito hosts can evolve, leading to uncertainty around the long-term effectiveness of a given Wolbachia strain, while few ecological impacts of Wolbachia releases have been explored. Wolbachia strains are diverse and the choice of strain to release should be made carefully, taking environmental conditions and the release objective into account. Mosquito quality control, thoughtful community awareness programs and long-term monitoring of populations are essential for all types of Wolbachia intervention. Releases of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes show great promise, but existing control measures remain an important way to reduce the burden of mosquito-borne disease.
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18
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Assessment of fitness and vector competence of a New Caledonia wMel Aedes aegypti strain before field-release. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009752. [PMID: 34492017 PMCID: PMC8448375 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Biological control programs involving Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti are currently deployed in different epidemiological settings. New Caledonia (NC) is an ideal location for the implementation and evaluation of such a strategy as the only proven vector for dengue virus (DENV) is Ae. aegypti and dengue outbreaks frequency and severity are increasing. We report the generation of a NC Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti strain and the results of experiments to assess the vector competence and fitness of this strain for future implementation as a disease control strategy in Noumea, NC. Methods/principal findings The NC Wolbachia strain (NC-wMel) was obtained by backcrossing Australian AUS-wMel females with New Caledonian Wild-Type (NC-WT) males. Blocking of DENV, chikungunya (CHIKV), and Zika (ZIKV) viruses were evaluated via mosquito oral feeding experiments and intrathoracic DENV challenge. Significant reduction in infection rates were observed for NC-wMel Ae. aegypti compared to WT Ae. aegypti. No transmission was observed for NC-wMel Ae. aegypti. Maternal transmission, cytoplasmic incompatibility, fertility, fecundity, wing length, and insecticide resistance were also assessed in laboratory experiments. Ae. aegypti NC-wMel showed complete cytoplasmic incompatibility and a strong maternal transmission. Ae. aegypti NC-wMel fitness seemed to be reduced compared to NC-WT Ae. aegypti and AUS-wMel Ae. aegypti regarding fertility and fecundity. However further experiments are required to assess it accurately. Conclusions/significance Our results demonstrated that the NC-wMel Ae. aegypti strain is a strong inhibitor of DENV, CHIKV, and ZIKV infection and prevents transmission of infectious viral particles in mosquito saliva. Furthermore, our NC-wMel Ae. aegypti strain induces reproductive cytoplasmic incompatibility with minimal apparent fitness costs and high maternal transmission, supporting field-releases in Noumea, NC. Dengue represents a risk for almost half of the world’s population, especially throughout the tropics. In New Caledonia, dengue outbreaks have become more frequent in the past decade along with the recent circulation of chikungunya and Zika viruses. The opportunity to use the biocontrol method involving the release of Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes has been investigated as an alternative solution to the traditional control methods, like elimination of larval habitats and pyrethroid insecticide application to kill adults, which are becoming insufficient. A local strain of Ae. aegypti carrying Wolbachia (NC-wMel) has been generated and tested to evaluate its pathogen blocking capacity for the four dengue virus serotypes as well as chikungunya and Zika viruses. The fitness of NC-wMel strain has also been assessed to estimate its ability to compete with the wild-type strain in the field. Noumea city, where a third of the population of New Caledonia resides, has been chosen as the first site to implement the method in New Caledonia. As Ae. aegypti is the only proven vector in New Caledonia, we expect a significant impact on dengue outbreaks occurring in Noumea as soon as a high frequency of NC-wMel is established in the population.
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19
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Altinli M, Schnettler E, Sicard M. Symbiotic Interactions Between Mosquitoes and Mosquito Viruses. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:694020. [PMID: 34527601 PMCID: PMC8435781 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.694020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquitoes not only transmit human and veterinary pathogens called arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses) but also harbor mosquito-associated insect-specific viruses (mosquito viruses) that cannot infect vertebrates. In the past, studies investigating mosquito viruses mainly focused on highly pathogenic interactions that were easier to detect than those without visible symptoms. However, the recent advances in viral metagenomics have highlighted the abundance and diversity of viruses which do not generate mass mortality in host populations. Over the last decade, this has facilitated the rapid growth of virus discovery in mosquitoes. The circumstances around the discovery of mosquito viruses greatly affected how they have been studied so far. While earlier research mainly focused on the pathogenesis caused by DNA and some double-stranded RNA viruses during larval stages, more recently discovered single-stranded RNA mosquito viruses were heavily studied for their putative interference with arboviruses in female adults. Thus, many aspects of mosquito virus interactions with their hosts and host-microbiota are still unknown. In this context, considering mosquito viruses as endosymbionts can help to identify novel research areas, in particular in relation to their long-term interactions with their hosts (e.g. relationships during all life stages, the stability of the associations at evolutionary scales, transmission routes and virulence evolution) and the possible context-dependent range of interactions (i.e. beneficial to antagonistic). Here, we review the symbiotic interactions of mosquito viruses considering different aspects of their ecology, such as transmission, host specificity, host immune system and interactions with other symbionts within the host cellular arena. Finally, we highlight related research gaps in mosquito virus research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mine Altinli
- Molecular Entomology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
- ISEM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, EPHE, Montpellier, France
| | - Esther Schnettler
- Molecular Entomology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, University Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mathieu Sicard
- ISEM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, EPHE, Montpellier, France
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20
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Leitner M, Bishop C, Asgari S. Transcriptional Response of Wolbachia to Dengue Virus Infection in Cells of the Mosquito Aedes aegypti. mSphere 2021; 6:e0043321. [PMID: 34190587 PMCID: PMC8265661 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00433-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aedes aegypti transmits one of the most significant mosquito-borne viruses, dengue virus (DENV). The absence of effective vaccines and clinical treatments and the emergence of insecticide resistance in A. aegypti necessitate novel vector control strategies. A new approach uses the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia pipientis to reduce the spread of arboviruses. However, the Wolbachia-mediated antiviral mechanism is not well understood. To shed light on this mechanism, we investigated an unexplored aspect of Wolbachia-virus-mosquito interaction. We used RNA sequencing to examine the transcriptional response of Wolbachia to DENV infection in A. aegypti Aag2 cells transinfected with the wAlbB strain of Wolbachia. Our results suggest that genes encoding an endoribonuclease (RNase HI), a regulator of sigma 70-dependent gene transcription (6S RNA), essential cellular, transmembrane, and stress response functions and primary type I and IV secretion systems were upregulated, while a number of transport and binding proteins of Wolbachia, ribosome structure, and elongation factor-associated genes were downregulated due to DENV infection. Furthermore, bacterial retrotransposon, transposable, and phage-related elements were found among the up- and downregulated genes. We show that Wolbachia elicits a transcriptional response to virus infection and identify differentially expressed Wolbachia genes mostly at the early stages of virus infection. These findings highlight Wolbachia's ability to alter its gene expression in response to DENV infection of the host cell. IMPORTANCE Aedes aegypti is a vector of several pathogenic viruses, including dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever viruses, which are of importance to human health. Wolbachia is an endosymbiotic bacterium currently used in transinfected mosquitoes to suppress replication and transmission of dengue viruses. However, the mechanism of Wolbachia-mediated virus inhibition is not fully understood. While several studies have shown mosquitoes' transcriptional responses to dengue virus infection, none have investigated these responses in Wolbachia, which may provide clues to the inhibition mechanism. Our results suggest changes in the expression of a number of functionally important Wolbachia genes upon dengue virus infection, including those involved in stress responses, providing insights into the endosymbiont's reaction to virus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Leitner
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Cameron Bishop
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sassan Asgari
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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21
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Gabrieli P, Caccia S, Varotto-Boccazzi I, Arnoldi I, Barbieri G, Comandatore F, Epis S. Mosquito Trilogy: Microbiota, Immunity and Pathogens, and Their Implications for the Control of Disease Transmission. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:630438. [PMID: 33889137 PMCID: PMC8056039 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.630438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In mosquitoes, the interaction between the gut microbiota, the immune system, and the pathogens that these insects transmit to humans and animals is regarded as a key component toward the development of control strategies, aimed at reducing the burden of severe diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever. Indeed, different microorganisms from the mosquito microbiota have been investigated for their ability to affect important traits of the biology of the host insect, related with its survival, development and reproduction. Furthermore, some microorganisms have been shown to modulate the immune response of mosquito females, significantly shaping their vector competence. Here, we will review current knowledge in this field, focusing on i) the complex interaction between the intestinal microbiota and mosquito females defenses, both in the gut and at humoral level; ii) how knowledge on these issues contributes to the development of novel and targeted strategies for the control of mosquito-borne diseases such as the use of paratransgenesis or taking advantage of the relationship between Wolbachia and mosquito hosts. We conclude by providing a brief overview of available knowledge on microbiota-immune system interplay in major insect vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Gabrieli
- Department of Biosciences and Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Caccia
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.,Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Ilaria Varotto-Boccazzi
- Department of Biosciences and Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Irene Arnoldi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giulia Barbieri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesco Comandatore
- "L. Sacco" Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Epis
- Department of Biosciences and Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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22
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Pimentel AC, Cesar CS, Martins M, Cogni R. The Antiviral Effects of the Symbiont Bacteria Wolbachia in Insects. Front Immunol 2021; 11:626329. [PMID: 33584729 PMCID: PMC7878553 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.626329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Wolbachia is a maternally transmitted bacterium that lives inside arthropod cells. Historically, it was viewed primarily as a parasite that manipulates host reproduction, but more recently it was discovered that Wolbachia can also protect Drosophila species against infection by RNA viruses. Combined with Wolbachia's ability to invade insect populations due to reproductive manipulations, this provides a way to modify mosquito populations to prevent them transmitting viruses like dengue. In this review, we discuss the main advances in the field since Wolbachia's antiviral effect was discovered 12 years ago, identifying current research gaps and potential future developments. We discuss that the antiviral effect works against a broad range of RNA viruses and depends on the Wolbachia lineage. We describe what is known about the mechanisms behind viral protection, and that recent studies suggest two possible mechanisms: activation of host immunity or competition with virus for cellular resources. We also discuss how association with Wolbachia may influence the evolution of virus defense on the insect host genome. Finally, we investigate whether the antiviral effect occurs in wild insect populations and its ecological relevance as a major antiviral component in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rodrigo Cogni
- Department of Ecology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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23
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Wolbachia's Deleterious Impact on Aedes aegypti Egg Development: The Potential Role of Nutritional Parasitism. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11110735. [PMID: 33120915 PMCID: PMC7692218 DOI: 10.3390/insects11110735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Mosquito-borne viral diseases such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya cause a significant global health burden and are currently increasing in outbreak frequency and geographical reach. Wolbachia pipientis, an endosymbiotic bacterium, offers a solution to this. When Wolbachia is introduced into the main mosquito vector of these viruses, Aedes aegypti, it alters the mosquito’s reproductive biology, as well as reducing the ability of the mosquitoes to transmit viruses. These traits can be leveraged to reduce virus transmission within a community by mass releasing Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. However, Wolbachia has some negative effects on Aedes aegypti fitness, particularly egg longevity, and the reason behind this remains ambiguous. Insect fitness is very important for the success for Wolbachia-biocontrol strategies as they rely on the released insects being competitive with the wild mosquito population. This review summarises the fitness effects of Wolbachia on Aedes aegypti and investigates the possible contribution of Wolbachia as a nutritional parasite in lowering host fitness. It proposes the next stages of research that can be conducted to address nutritional parasitism to aid in the expansion of Wolbachia-based disease management programs worldwide. Abstract The artificial introduction of the endosymbiotic bacterium, Wolbachia pipientis, into Aedes (Ae.) aegypti mosquitoes reduces the ability of mosquitoes to transmit human pathogenic viruses and is now being developed as a biocontrol tool. Successful introgression of Wolbachia-carrying Ae. aegypti into native mosquito populations at field sites in Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia has been associated with reduced disease prevalence in the treated community. In separate field programs, Wolbachia is also being used as a mosquito population suppression tool, where the release of male only Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti prevents the native mosquito population from producing viable eggs, subsequently suppressing the wild population. While these technologies show great promise, they require mass rearing of mosquitoes for implementation on a scale that has not previously been done. In addition, Wolbachia induces some negative fitness effects on Ae. aegypti. While these fitness effects differ depending on the Wolbachia strain present, one of the most consistent and significant impacts is the shortened longevity and viability of eggs. This review examines the body of evidence behind Wolbachia’s negative effect on eggs, assesses nutritional parasitism as a key cause and considers how these impacts could be overcome to achieve efficient large-scale rearing of these mosquitoes.
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Juma EO, Kim CH, Dunlap C, Allan BF, Stone CM. Culex pipiens and Culex restuans egg rafts harbor diverse bacterial communities compared to their midgut tissues. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:532. [PMID: 33109276 PMCID: PMC7590256 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04408-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The bacterial communities associated with mosquito eggs are an essential component of the mosquito microbiota, yet there are few studies characterizing and comparing the microbiota of mosquito eggs to other host tissues. Methods We sampled gravid female Culex pipiens L. and Culex restuans Theobald from the field, allowed them to oviposit in the laboratory, and characterized the bacterial communities associated with their egg rafts and midguts for comparison through MiSeq sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Results Bacterial richness was higher in egg rafts than in midguts for both species, and higher in Cx pipiens than Cx. restuans. The midgut samples of Cx. pipiens and Cx. restuans were dominated by Providencia. Culex pipiens and Cx. restuans egg rafts samples were dominated by Ralstonia and Novosphingobium, respectively. NMDS ordination based on Bray-Curtis distance matrix revealed that egg-raft samples, or midgut tissues harbored similar bacterial communities regardless of the mosquito species. Within each mosquito species, there was a distinct clustering of bacterial communities between egg raft and midgut tissues. Conclusion These findings expand the list of described bacterial communities associated with Cx. pipiens and Cx. restuans and the additional characterization of the egg raft bacterial communities facilitates comparative analysis of mosquito host tissues, providing a basis for future studies seeking to understand any functional role of the bacterial communities in mosquito biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elijah O Juma
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 505 S. Goodwin Ave, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
| | - Chang-Hyun Kim
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1816 S. Oak St, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA
| | - Christopher Dunlap
- Crop Bioprotection Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1815 N. University St, Peoria, IL, 61604, USA
| | - Brian F Allan
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 505 S. Goodwin Ave, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Chris M Stone
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1816 S. Oak St, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA
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Ogunlade ST, Adekunle AI, Meehan MT, Rojas DP, McBryde ES. Modeling the potential of wAu-Wolbachia strain invasion in mosquitoes to control Aedes-borne arboviral infections. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16812. [PMID: 33033285 PMCID: PMC7544821 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73819-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Arboviral infections such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya are fast spreading diseases that pose significant health problems globally. In order to control these infections, an intracellular bacterium called Wolbachia has been introduced into wild-type mosquito populations in the hopes of replacing the vector transmitting agent, Aedes aegypti with one that is incapable of transmission. In this study, we developed a Wolbachia transmission model for the novel wAu strain which possesses several favourable traits (e.g., enhanced viral blockage and maintenance at higher temperature) but not cyctoplasmic incompatibility (CI)-when a Wolbachia-infected male mosquito mates with an uninfected female mosquito, producing no viable offspring. This model describes the competitive dynamics between wAu-Wolbachia-infected and uninfected mosquitoes and the role of imperfect maternal transmission. By analysing the system via computing the basic reproduction number(s) and stability properties, the potential of the wAu strain as a viable strategy to control arboviral infections is established. The results of this work show that enhanced maintenance of Wolbachia infection at higher temperatures can overcome the lack of CI induction to support wAu-Wolbachia infected mosquito invasion. This study will support future arboviral control programs, that rely on the introduction of new Wolbachia variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samson T Ogunlade
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
| | - Adeshina I Adekunle
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Michael T Meehan
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Diana P Rojas
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Emma S McBryde
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
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Lu P, Sun Q, Fu P, Li K, Liang X, Xi Z. Wolbachia Inhibits Binding of Dengue and Zika Viruses to Mosquito Cells. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1750. [PMID: 32849379 PMCID: PMC7417768 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
As traditional approaches to the control of dengue and Zika are insufficient, significant efforts have been made to develop utilization of the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia to reduce the ability of mosquitoes to transmit pathogens. Although Wolbachia is known to inhibit flaviviruses in mosquitoes, including dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV), it remains unclear how the endosymbiont interferes with viral replication cycle. In this study, we have carried out viral binding assays to investigate the impact of the Wolbachia strain wAlbB on the attachment of DENV serotype 2 (DENV-2) and ZIKV to Aedes aegypti Aag-2 cells. RNA interference (RNAi) was used to silence a variety of putative mosquito receptors of DENV that were differentially regulated by wAlbB in Aag-2 cells, in order to identify host factors involved in the inhibition of viral binding. Our results showed that, in addition to suppression of viral replication, Wolbachia strongly inhibited binding of both DENV-2 and ZIKV to Aag-2 cells. Moreover, the expression of two putative mosquito DENV receptors - dystroglycan and tubulin - was downregulated by wAlbB, and their knock-down resulted in the inhibition of DENV-2 binding to Aag-2 cells. These results will aid in understanding the Wolbachia-DENV interactions in mosquito and the development of novel control strategies for mosquito-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Qiang Sun
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Ping Fu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Kuibiao Li
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Liang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Zhiyong Xi
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
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Zhang X, Liu Q, Zhu H. Modeling and dynamics of Wolbachia-infected male releases and mating competition on mosquito control. J Math Biol 2020; 81:243-276. [PMID: 32458175 DOI: 10.1007/s00285-020-01509-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Despite centuries of continuous efforts, mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) remain enormous health threat of human life worldwide. Lately, the USA government has approved an innovative technology of releasing Wolbachia-infected male mosquitoes to suppress the wild mosquito population. In this paper we first introduce a stage-structured model for natural mosquitos, then we establish a new model considering the releasing of Wolbachia-infected male mosquitoes and the mating competition between the natural male mosquitoes and infected males on the suppression of natural mosquitoes. Dynamical analysis of the two models, including the existence and local stability of the equilibria and bifurcation analysis, reveals the existence of a forward bifurcation or a backward bifurcation with multiple attractors. Moreover, globally dynamical properties are further explored by using Lyapunov function and theory of monotone operators, respectively. Our findings suggest that infected male augmentation itself cannot always guarantee the success of population eradication, but leads to three possible levels of population suppression, so we define the corresponding suppression rate and estimate the minimum release ratio for population eradication. Furthermore, we study how the release ratio of infected males and natural ones, mating competition, the rate of cytoplasmic incompatibility and the basic offspring number affect the suppression rate of natural mosquitoes. Our results show that the successful eradication relies on assessing the reproductive capacity of natural mosquitoes, a selection of suitable Wolbachia strains and an appropriate release amount of infected males. This study will be helpful for public health authorities in designing proper strategies to control vector mosquitoes and prevent the epidemics of MBDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianghong Zhang
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China.,LAMPS and CDM, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Qiyong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Huaiping Zhu
- LAMPS and CDM, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada.
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Kaur R, Martinez J, Rota-Stabelli O, Jiggins FM, Miller WJ. Age, tissue, genotype and virus infection regulate Wolbachia levels in Drosophila. Mol Ecol 2020; 29:2063-2079. [PMID: 32391935 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The bacterial symbiont Wolbachia can protect insects against viral pathogens, and the varying levels of antiviral protection are correlated with the endosymbiont load within the insects. To understand why Wolbachia strains differ in their antiviral effects, we investigated the factors controlling Wolbachia density in five closely related strains in their natural Drosophila hosts. We found that Wolbachia density varied greatly across different tissues and between flies of different ages, and these effects depended on the host-symbiont association. Some endosymbionts maintained largely stable densities as flies aged while others increased, and these effects in turn depended on the tissue being examined. Measuring Wolbachia rRNA levels in response to viral infection, we found that viral infection itself also altered Wolbachia levels, with Flock House virus causing substantial reductions in symbiont loads late in the infection. This effect, however, was virus-specific as Drosophila C virus had little impact on Wolbachia in all of the five host systems. Because viruses have strong tissue tropisms and antiviral protection is thought to be cell-autonomous, these effects are likely to affect the virus-blocking phenomenon. However, we were unable to find any evidence of a correlation between Wolbachia and viral titres within the same tissues. We conclude that Wolbachia levels within flies are regulated in a complex host-symbiont-virus-dependent manner and this trinity is likely to influence the antiviral effects of Wolbachia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupinder Kaur
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Sustainable Agro-Ecosystems and Bioresources, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Italy.,Department of Neurobiology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Julien Martinez
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Omar Rota-Stabelli
- Department of Sustainable Agro-Ecosystems and Bioresources, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | | | - Wolfgang J Miller
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Ekwudu O, Devine GJ, Aaskov JG, Frentiu FD. Wolbachia strain wAlbB blocks replication of flaviviruses and alphaviruses in mosquito cell culture. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:54. [PMID: 32041638 PMCID: PMC7011541 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3936-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Wolbachia pipientis are bacterial endosymbionts of arthropods currently being implemented as biocontrol agents to reduce the global burden of arboviral diseases. Some strains of Wolbachia, when introduced into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, reduce or block the replication of RNA viruses pathogenic to humans. The wAlbB strain of Wolbachia was originally isolated from Aedes albopictus, and when transinfected into Ae. aegypti, persists in mosquitoes under high temperature conditions longer than other strains. The utility of wAlbB to block a broad spectrum of RNA viruses has received limited attention. Here we test the ability of wAlbB to reduce or block the replication of a range of Flavivirus and Alphavirus species in cell culture. Methods The C6/36 mosquito cell line was stably infected with the wAlbB strain using the shell-vial technique. The replication of dengue, West Nile and three strains of Zika (genus Flavivirus), and Ross River, Barmah Forest and Sindbis (genus Alphavirus) viruses was compared in wAlbB-infected cells with Wolbachia-free controls. Infectious virus titres were determined using either immunofocus or plaque assays. A general linear model was used to test for significant differences in replication between flaviviruses and alphaviruses. Results Titres of all viruses were significantly reduced in cell cultures infected with wAlbB versus Wolbachia-free controls. The magnitude of reduction in virus yields varied among virus species and, within species, also among the strains utilized. Conclusion Our results suggest that wAlbB infection of arthropods could be used to reduce transmission of a wide range of pathogenic RNA viruses.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- O'mezie Ekwudu
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia.,Department of Microbiology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Nigeria.,Mosquito Control Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research Berghofer, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Gregor J Devine
- Mosquito Control Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research Berghofer, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - John G Aaskov
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Francesca D Frentiu
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia.
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Gao H, Cui C, Wang L, Jacobs-Lorena M, Wang S. Mosquito Microbiota and Implications for Disease Control. Trends Parasitol 2020; 36:98-111. [PMID: 31866183 PMCID: PMC9827750 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Mosquito-transmitted diseases account for about 500 000 deaths every year. Blocking these pathogens in the mosquito vector before they are transmitted to humans is an effective strategy to prevent mosquito-borne diseases. Like most higher organisms, mosquitoes harbor a highly diverse and dynamic microbial flora that can be explored for prevention of pathogen transmission. Here we review the structure and function of the mosquito microbiota, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and discuss the potential of using components of the microbiota to thwart pathogen transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Gao
- CAS key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Chunlai Cui
- CAS key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Lili Wang
- CAS key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Marcelo Jacobs-Lorena
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA,Correspondence: ,
| | - Sibao Wang
- CAS key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China,Correspondence: ,
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Duggal NK, Langwig KE, Ebel GD, Brault AC. On the Fly: Interactions Between Birds, Mosquitoes, and Environment That Have Molded West Nile Virus Genomic Structure Over Two Decades. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 56:1467-1474. [PMID: 31549720 PMCID: PMC7182917 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjz112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) was first identified in North America almost 20 yr ago. In that time, WNV has crossed the continent and established enzootic transmission cycles, resulting in intermittent outbreaks of human disease that have largely been linked with climatic variables and waning avian seroprevalence. During the transcontinental dissemination of WNV, the original genotype has been displaced by two principal extant genotypes which contain an envelope mutation that has been associated with enhanced vector competence by Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae) and Culex tarsalis Coquillett vectors. Analyses of retrospective avian host competence data generated using the founding NY99 genotype strain have demonstrated a steady reduction in viremias of house sparrows over time. Reciprocally, the current genotype strains WN02 and SW03 have demonstrated an inverse correlation between house sparrow viremia magnitude and the time since isolation. These data collectively indicate that WNV has evolved for increased avian viremia while house sparrows have evolved resistance to the virus such that the relative host competence has remained constant. Intrahost analyses of WNV evolution demonstrate that selection pressures are avian species-specific and purifying selection is greater in individual birds compared with individual mosquitoes, suggesting that the avian adaptive and/or innate immune response may impose a selection pressure on WNV. Phylogenomic, experimental evolutionary systems, and models that link viral evolution with climate, host, and vector competence studies will be needed to identify the relative effect of different selective and stochastic mechanisms on viral phenotypes and the capacity of newly evolved WNV genotypes for transmission in continuously changing landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha K Duggal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Kate E Langwig
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Gregory D Ebel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Aaron C Brault
- Division of Vector-borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO
- Corresponding author, e-mail:
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Kittayapong P, Ninphanomchai S, Limohpasmanee W, Chansang C, Chansang U, Mongkalangoon P. Combined sterile insect technique and incompatible insect technique: The first proof-of-concept to suppress Aedes aegypti vector populations in semi-rural settings in Thailand. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007771. [PMID: 31658265 PMCID: PMC6837763 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Important arboviral diseases, such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus infections, are transmitted mainly by the Aedes aegypti vector. So far, controlling this vector species with current tools and strategies has not demonstrated sustainable and significant impacts. Our main objective was to evaluate whether open field release of sterile males, produced from combining the sterile insect technique using radiation with the insect incompatible technique through Wolbachia-induced incompatibility (SIT/IIT), could suppress natural populations of Ae. aegypti in semi-rural village settings in Thailand. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Irradiated Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti males produced by the SIT/IIT approach were completely sterile and were able to compete with the wild fertile ones. Open field release of these sterile males was conducted in an ecologically isolated village in Chachoengsao Province, eastern Thailand. House-to-house visit and media reports resulted in community acceptance and public awareness of the technology. During intervention, approximately 100-200 sterile males were released weekly in each household. After 6 months of sterile male release, a significant reduction (p<0.05) of the mean egg hatch rate (84%) and the mean number of females per household (97.30%) was achieved in the treatment areas when compared to the control ones. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Our study represents the first open field release of sterile Ae. aegypti males developed from a combined SIT/IIT approach. Entomological assessment using ovitraps, adult sticky traps, and portable vacuum aspirators confirmed the success in reducing natural populations of Ae. aegypti females in treated areas. Public awareness through media resulted in positive support for practical use of this strategy in wider areas. Further study using a systematic randomized trial is needed to determine whether this approach could have a significant impact on the diseases transmitted by Ae. aegypti vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pattamaporn Kittayapong
- Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University at Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- * E-mail:
| | - Suwannapa Ninphanomchai
- Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University at Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Wanitch Limohpasmanee
- Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand
| | - Chitti Chansang
- Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Uruyakorn Chansang
- Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Piti Mongkalangoon
- Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
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Caragata EP, Tikhe CV, Dimopoulos G. Curious entanglements: interactions between mosquitoes, their microbiota, and arboviruses. Curr Opin Virol 2019; 37:26-36. [PMID: 31176069 PMCID: PMC6768729 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2019.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Mosquitoes naturally harbor a diverse community of microorganisms that play a crucial role in their biology. Mosquito-microbiota interactions are abundant and complex. They can dramatically alter the mosquito immune response, and impede or enhance a mosquito's ability to transmit medically important arboviral pathogens. Yet critically, given the massive public health impact of arboviral disease, few such interactions have been well characterized. In this review, we describe the current state of knowledge of the role of microorganisms in mosquito biology, how microbial-induced changes to mosquito immunity moderate infection with arboviruses, cases of mosquito-microbial-virus interactions with a defined mechanism, and the molecular interactions that underlie the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia's ability to block virus infection in mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric P Caragata
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Chinmay V Tikhe
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - George Dimopoulos
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.
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Caragata EP, Rocha MN, Pereira TN, Mansur SB, Dutra HLC, Moreira LA. Pathogen blocking in Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti is not affected by Zika and dengue virus co-infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007443. [PMID: 31107912 PMCID: PMC6544317 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Wolbachia’s ability to restrict arbovirus transmission makes it a promising tool to combat mosquito-transmitted diseases. Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti are currently being released in locations such as Brazil, which regularly experience concurrent outbreaks of different arboviruses. A. aegypti can become co-infected with, and transmit multiple arboviruses with one bite, which can complicate patient diagnosis and treatment. Methodology/principle findings Using experimental oral infection of A. aegypti and then RT-qPCR, we examined ZIKV/DENV-1 and ZIKV/DENV-3 co-infection in Wolbachia-infected A. aegypti and observed that Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes experienced lower prevalence of infection and viral load than wildtype mosquitoes, even with an extra infecting virus. Critically, ZIKV/DENV co-infection had no significant impact on Wolbachia’s ability to reduce viral transmission. Wolbachia infection also strongly altered expression levels of key immune genes Defensin C and Transferrin 1, in a virus-dependent manner. Conclusions/significance Our results suggest that pathogen interference in Wolbachia-infected A. aegypti is not adversely affected by ZIKV/DENV co-infection, which suggests that Wolbachia-infected A. aegypti will likely prove suitable for controlling mosquito-borne diseases in environments with complex patterns of arbovirus transmission. Wolbachia is an endosymbiotic bacterium that infects insects. It has been artificially transferred into Aedes aegypti, a mosquito species that can transmit medically important viruses including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Wolbachia in A. aegypti limits infection with these viruses, making the mosquitoes much less capable of transmitting them to people. In tropical areas, where these viral pathogens are commonly found, it is not unusual for outbreaks of different viruses to occur at the same time, which can complicate diagnosis and treatment for those afflicted. Mosquitoes with Wolbachia are currently being released into these areas to reduce transmission of these diseases. In our study, we assessed whether Wolbachia infection in A. aegypti mosquitoes could still effectively inhibit the dengue and Zika viruses if the mosquitoes were fed both viruses at the same time. We found that Wolbachia was still very effective at inhibiting the replication of both viruses in the mosquito, and likewise still greatly reduced the chance of transmission of either virus. Our results suggest that Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes should be able to limit infection with more than one virus, should they encounter them in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric P. Caragata
- Grupo Mosquitos Vetores: Endossimbiontes e Interação Patógeno-Vetor, Instituto René Rachou—Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcele N. Rocha
- Grupo Mosquitos Vetores: Endossimbiontes e Interação Patógeno-Vetor, Instituto René Rachou—Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Thiago N. Pereira
- Grupo Mosquitos Vetores: Endossimbiontes e Interação Patógeno-Vetor, Instituto René Rachou—Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Simone B. Mansur
- Grupo Mosquitos Vetores: Endossimbiontes e Interação Patógeno-Vetor, Instituto René Rachou—Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Heverton L. C. Dutra
- Grupo Mosquitos Vetores: Endossimbiontes e Interação Patógeno-Vetor, Instituto René Rachou—Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Luciano A. Moreira
- Grupo Mosquitos Vetores: Endossimbiontes e Interação Patógeno-Vetor, Instituto René Rachou—Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Rocha MN, Duarte MM, Mansur SB, Silva BDME, Pereira TN, Adelino TÉR, Giovanetti M, Alcantara LCJ, Santos FM, Costa VRDM, Teixeira MM, Iani FCDM, Costa VV, Moreira LA. Pluripotency of Wolbachia against Arboviruses: the case of yellow fever. Gates Open Res 2019; 3:161. [PMID: 31259313 PMCID: PMC6561079 DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.12903.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Yellow fever outbreaks have re-emerged in Brazil during 2016-18, with mortality rates up to 30%. Although urban transmission has not been reported since 1942, the risk of re-urbanization of yellow fever is significant, as Aedes aegypti is present in most tropical and sub-tropical cities in the World and still remains the main vector of urban YFV. Although the YFV vaccine is safe and effective, it does not always reach populations at greatest risk of infection and there is an acknowledged global shortage of vaccine supply. The introgression of Wolbachia bacteria into Ae. aegypti mosquito populations is being trialed in several countries ( www.worldmosquito.org) as a biocontrol method against dengue, Zika and chikungunya. Here, we studied the ability of Wolbachia to reduce the transmission potential of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes for Yellow fever virus (YFV). Methods: Two recently isolated YFV (primate and human) were used to challenge field-derived wild-type and Wolbachia-infected ( wMel +) Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. The YFV infection status was followed for 7, 14 and 21 days post-oral feeding (dpf). The YFV transmission potential of mosquitoes was evaluated via nano-injection of saliva into uninfected mosquitoes or by inoculation in mice. Results: We found that Wolbachia was able to significantly reduce the prevalence of mosquitoes with YFV infected heads and thoraces for both viral isolates. Furthermore, analyses of mosquito saliva, through indirect injection into naïve mosquitoes or via interferon-deficient mouse model, indicated Wolbachia was associated with profound reduction in the YFV transmission potential of mosquitoes (14dpf). Conclusions: Our results suggest that Wolbachia introgression could be used as a complementary strategy for prevention of urban yellow fever transmission, along with the human vaccination program.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Myrian Morato Duarte
- Serviço de Virologia e Riquetsioses, Fundação Ezequiel Dias-LACEN, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Marta Giovanetti
- Laboratório de Flavivírus, IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Luis Carlos Junior Alcantara
- Laboratório de Flavivírus, IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Franciele Martins Santos
- Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Research Group in Arboviral Diseases, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Victor Rodrigues de Melo Costa
- Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Research Group in Arboviral Diseases, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Mauro Martins Teixeira
- Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Immunopharmacology Lab, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Felipe Campos de Melo Iani
- Serviço de Virologia e Riquetsioses, Fundação Ezequiel Dias-LACEN, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Vivian Vasconcelos Costa
- Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Research Group in Arboviral Diseases, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Asselin AK, Villegas-Ospina S, Hoffmann AA, Brownlie JC, Johnson KN. Contrasting Patterns of Virus Protection and Functional Incompatibility Genes in Two Conspecific Wolbachia Strains from Drosophila pandora. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:e02290-18. [PMID: 30552191 PMCID: PMC6384105 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02290-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Wolbachia infections can present different phenotypes in hosts, including different forms of reproductive manipulation and antiviral protection, which may influence infection dynamics within host populations. In populations of Drosophila pandora two distinct Wolbachia strains coexist, each manipulating host reproduction: strain wPanCI causes cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), whereas strain wPanMK causes male killing (MK). CI occurs when a Wolbachia-infected male mates with a female not infected with a compatible type of Wolbachia, leading to nonviable offspring. wPanMK can rescue wPanCI-induced CI but is unable to induce CI. The antiviral protection phenotypes provided by the wPanCI and wPanMK infections were characterized; the strains showed differential protection phenotypes, whereby cricket paralysis virus (CrPV)-induced mortality was delayed in flies infected with wPanMK but enhanced in flies infected with wPanCI compared to their respective Wolbachia-cured counterparts. Homologs of the cifA and cifB genes involved in CI identified in wPanMK and wPanCI showed a high degree of conservation; however, the CifB protein in wPanMK is truncated and is likely nonfunctional. The presence of a likely functional CifA in wPanMK and wPanMK's ability to rescue wPanCI-induced CI are consistent with the recent confirmation of CifA's involvement in CI rescue, and the absence of a functional CifB protein further supports its involvement as a CI modification factor. Taken together, these findings indicate that wPanCI and wPanMK have different relationships with their hosts in terms of their protective and CI phenotypes. It is therefore likely that different factors influence the prevalence and dynamics of these coinfections in natural Drosophila pandora hosts.IMPORTANCEWolbachia strains are common endosymbionts in insects, with multiple strains often coexisting in the same species. The coexistence of multiple strains is poorly understood but may rely on Wolbachia organisms having diverse phenotypic effects on their hosts. As Wolbachia is increasingly being developed as a tool to control disease transmission and suppress pest populations, it is important to understand the ways in which multiple Wolbachia strains persist in natural populations and how these might then be manipulated. We have therefore investigated viral protection and the molecular basis of cytoplasmic incompatibility in two coexisting Wolbachia strains with contrasting effects on host reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelique K Asselin
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Simon Villegas-Ospina
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ary A Hoffmann
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jeremy C Brownlie
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Karyn N Johnson
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Rocha MN, Duarte MM, Mansur SB, Silva BDME, Pereira TN, Adelino TÉR, Giovanetti M, Alcantara LCJ, Santos FM, Costa VRDM, Teixeira MM, Iani FCDM, Costa VV, Moreira LA. Pluripotency of Wolbachia against Arbovirus: the case of yellow fever. Gates Open Res 2019. [DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.12903.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Yellow fever outbreaks have re-emerged in Brazil during 2016-18, with mortality rates up to 30%. Although urban transmission has not been reported since 1942, the risk of re-urbanization of yellow fever is significant, as Aedes aegypti is present in most tropical and sub-tropical cities in the World and used to be the main vector in the past. The introgression of Wolbachia bacteria into Ae. aegypti mosquito populations is being trialed in several countries (www.worldmosquito.org)as a biocontrol method against dengue, Zika and chikungunya. Here, we studied the ability of Wolbachia to reduce the transmission potential of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes for yellow fever virus (YFV). Methods: Two recently isolated YFV (primate and human) were used to challenge field-derived wild-type and Wolbachia-infected (wMel +) Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. The YFV infection status was followed for 7, 14 and 21 days post-oral feeding (dpf). The YFV transmission potential of mosquitoes was evaluated via nano-injection of saliva into uninfected mosquitoes or by inoculation in mice. Results: We found that Wolbachia was able to significantly reduce the prevalence of mosquitoes with YFV infected heads and thoraces for both viral isolates. Furthermore, analyses of mosquito saliva, through indirect injection into naïve mosquitoes or via interferon-deficient mouse model, indicated Wolbachia was associated with profound reduction in the YFV transmission potential of mosquitoes (14dpf). Conclusions: Our results suggest that Wolbachia introgression could be used as a complementary strategy for prevention of urban yellow fever transmission, along with the human vaccination program.
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38
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Altinli M, Soms J, Ravallec M, Justy F, Bonneau M, Weill M, Gosselin-Grenet AS, Sicard M. Sharing cells with Wolbachia: the transovarian vertical transmission of Culex pipiens densovirus. Environ Microbiol 2018; 21:3284-3298. [PMID: 30585387 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Culex pipiens densovirus (CpDV), a single stranded DNA virus, has been isolated from Culex pipiens mosquitoes but differs from other mosquito densoviruses in terms of genome structure and sequence identity. Its transmission from host to host, the nature of its interactions with both its host and host's endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia are not known. Here, we report the presence of CpDV in the ovaries and eggs of Cx. pipiens mosquitoes in close encounters with Wolbachia. In the ovaries, CpDV amount significantly differed between mosquito lines harbouring different strains of Wolbachia and these differences were not linked to variations in Wolbachia densities. CpDV was vertically transmitted in all laboratory lines to 17%-20% of the offspring. For some females, however, the vertical transmission reached 90%. Antibiotic treatment that cured the host from Wolbachia significantly decreased both CpDV quantity and vertical transmission suggesting an impact of host microbiota, including Wolbachia, on CpDV transmission. Overall our results show that CpDV is transmitted vertically via transovarian path along with Wolbachia with which it shares the same cells. Our results are primordial to understand the dynamics of densovirus infection, their persistence and spread in populations considering their potential use in the regulation of mosquito vector populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mine Altinli
- ISEM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Julien Soms
- ISEM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Marc Ravallec
- DGIMI, University of Montpellier, INRA, Montpellier, France
| | - Fabienne Justy
- ISEM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Manon Bonneau
- ISEM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Mylene Weill
- ISEM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Mathieu Sicard
- ISEM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
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Parry R, Bishop C, De Hayr L, Asgari S. Density-dependent enhanced replication of a densovirus in Wolbachia-infected Aedes cells is associated with production of piRNAs and higher virus-derived siRNAs. Virology 2018; 528:89-100. [PMID: 30583288 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2018.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia pipientis has been shown to restrict a range of RNA viruses in Drosophila melanogaster and transinfected dengue mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Here, we show that Wolbachia infection enhances replication of Aedes albopictus densovirus (AalDNV-1), a single stranded DNA virus, in Aedes cell lines in a density-dependent manner. Analysis of previously produced small RNAs of Aag2 cells showed that Wolbachia-infected cells produced greater absolute abundance of virus-derived short interfering RNAs compared to uninfected cells. Additionally, we found production of virus-derived PIWI-like RNAs (vpiRNA) produced in response to AalDNV-1 infection. Nuclear fractions of Aag2 cells produced a primary vpiRNA signature U1 bias whereas the typical "ping-pong" signature (U1 - A10) was evident in vpiRNAs from the cytoplasmic fractions. This is the first report of the density-dependent enhancement of DNA viruses by Wolbachia. Further, we report the generation of vpiRNAs in a DNA virus-host interaction for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhys Parry
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Cameron Bishop
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Lachlan De Hayr
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sassan Asgari
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
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McLean BJ, Dainty KR, Flores HA, O'Neill SL. Differential suppression of persistent insect specific viruses in trans-infected wMel and wMelPop-CLA Aedes-derived mosquito lines. Virology 2018; 527:141-145. [PMID: 30503908 PMCID: PMC6340807 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2018.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Wolbachia suppresses the replication of +ssRNA viruses such as dengue and Zika viruses in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. However, the range of viruses affected by this endosymbiont is yet to be explored. Recently, novel insect-specific viruses (ISVs) have been described from numerous mosquito species and mosquito-derived cell lines. Cell-fusing agent virus (Flaviviridae) and Phasi Charoen-like virus (Bunyaviridae) persistently infect the Ae. aegypti cell line Aag2 which has been used for experimental studies with both the wMel and wMelPop-CLA strains. Wolbachia was found to restrict the replication of CFAV but not the PCLV infection in these lines. Furthermore, an additional Ae. albopictus cell line (RML-12) which contained either wMel or wMelPop-CLA was assessed. While no infectious +ssRNA or dsRNA viruses were detected, a PCLV infection was identified. These observations provide additional evidence to support that insect-specific, +ssRNA viruses can be suppressed in cell culture by Wolbachia but -ssRNA viruses may not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breeanna J McLean
- Institute of Vector-Borne Disease, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia
| | - Kimberley R Dainty
- Institute of Vector-Borne Disease, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia
| | - Heather A Flores
- Institute of Vector-Borne Disease, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia
| | - Scott L O'Neill
- Institute of Vector-Borne Disease, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia.
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Grobler Y, Yun CY, Kahler DJ, Bergman CM, Lee H, Oliver B, Lehmann R. Whole genome screen reveals a novel relationship between Wolbachia levels and Drosophila host translation. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007445. [PMID: 30422992 PMCID: PMC6258568 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Wolbachia is an intracellular bacterium that infects a remarkable range of insect hosts. Insects such as mosquitos act as vectors for many devastating human viruses such as Dengue, West Nile, and Zika. Remarkably, Wolbachia infection provides insect hosts with resistance to many arboviruses thereby rendering the insects ineffective as vectors. To utilize Wolbachia effectively as a tool against vector-borne viruses a better understanding of the host-Wolbachia relationship is needed. To investigate Wolbachia-insect interactions we used the Wolbachia/Drosophila model that provides a genetically tractable system for studying host-pathogen interactions. We coupled genome-wide RNAi screening with a novel high-throughput fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay to detect changes in Wolbachia levels in a Wolbachia-infected Drosophila cell line JW18. 1117 genes altered Wolbachia levels when knocked down by RNAi of which 329 genes increased and 788 genes decreased the level of Wolbachia. Validation of hits included in depth secondary screening using in vitro RNAi, Drosophila mutants, and Wolbachia-detection by DNA qPCR. A diverse set of host gene networks was identified to regulate Wolbachia levels and unexpectedly revealed that perturbations of host translation components such as the ribosome and translation initiation factors results in increased Wolbachia levels both in vitro using RNAi and in vivo using mutants and a chemical-based translation inhibition assay. This work provides evidence for Wolbachia-host translation interaction and strengthens our general understanding of the Wolbachia-host intracellular relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolande Grobler
- Department of Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine at the Skirball Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Chi Y. Yun
- High Throughput Biology Core, Skirball Institute at New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - David J. Kahler
- High Throughput Biology Core, Skirball Institute at New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Casey M. Bergman
- Department of Genetics and Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
| | - Hangnoh Lee
- Section of Developmental Genomics, Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Brian Oliver
- Section of Developmental Genomics, Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Ruth Lehmann
- Department of Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine at the Skirball Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
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Osei-Amo S, Hussein M, Asad S, Hugo L, Asgari S. Wolbachia-induced transcription factor GATA4 suppresses ovary-specific genes blastoderm-specific protein 25D and imaginal disc growth factor. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 27:295-304. [PMID: 29336504 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia infects a wide array of insect hosts and has been implicated in a range of biological modifications as a consequence of its infection. Previously, it was shown that the transcription factor GATA4 was significantly induced in Wolbachia wMelPop-CLA strain infected Aedes aegypti whole mosquitoes and cells. Here, we provide evidence that this induction also occurs in mosquito ovaries where the ovary-specific genes blastoderm-specific protein 25D (Bsg25D) and imaginal disc growth factor (Disc) are suppressed by Wolbachia. We further demonstrate that transcriptional depletion of GATA4 results in upregulation of both genes and conversely its overexpression leads to downregulation of the genes, suggesting that Wolbachia-induced GATA4 plays a suppressive regulatory role with regards to Bsg25D and Disc expression in mosquito ovaries. When the Disc gene was silenced in mosquitoes, we did not observe any difference in the number of mature ovarian follicles developed between treatment groups. However, we did find a significant delay in the hatching of eggs that had been laid by Disc knockdown mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Osei-Amo
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - M Hussein
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - S Asad
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - L Hugo
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - S Asgari
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Asad S, Hussain M, Hugo L, Osei-Amo S, Zhang G, Watterson D, Asgari S. Suppression of the pelo protein by Wolbachia and its effect on dengue virus in Aedes aegypti. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006405. [PMID: 29641562 PMCID: PMC5912784 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Revised: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The endosymbiont Wolbachia is known to block replication of several important arboviruses, including dengue virus (DENV), in the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti. So far, the exact mechanism of this viral inhibition is not fully understood. A recent study in Drosophila melanogaster has demonstrated an interaction between the pelo gene and Drosophila C virus. In this study, we explored the possible involvement of the pelo protein, that is involved in protein translation, in Wolbachia-mediated antiviral response and mosquito-DENV interaction. We found that pelo is upregulated during DENV replication and its silencing leads to reduced DENV virion production suggesting that it facilities DENV replication. However, in the presence of Wolbachia, specifically in female mosquitoes, the pelo protein is downregulated and its subcellular localization is altered, which could contribute to reduction in DENV replication in Ae. aegypti. In addition, we show that the microRNA aae-miR-2940-5p, whose abundance is highly enriched in Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, might mediate regulation of pelo. Our data reveals identification of pelo as a host factor that is positively involved in DENV replication, and its suppression in the presence of Wolbachia may contribute to virus blocking exhibited by the endosymbiont.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sultan Asad
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Australia
| | - Mazhar Hussain
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Australia
| | - Leon Hugo
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Australia
| | - Solomon Osei-Amo
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Australia
| | - Guangmei Zhang
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Australia
| | - Daniel Watterson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Australia
| | - Sassan Asgari
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Australia
- * E-mail:
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Ahlers LRH, Goodman AG. The Immune Responses of the Animal Hosts of West Nile Virus: A Comparison of Insects, Birds, and Mammals. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:96. [PMID: 29666784 PMCID: PMC5891621 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases, including arboviruses, pose a serious threat to public health worldwide. Arboviruses of the flavivirus genus, such as Zika virus (ZIKV), dengue virus, yellow fever virus (YFV), and West Nile virus (WNV), are transmitted to humans from insect vectors and can cause serious disease. In 2017, over 2,000 reported cases of WNV virus infection occurred in the United States, with two-thirds of cases classified as neuroinvasive. WNV transmission cycles through two different animal populations: birds and mosquitoes. Mammals, particularly humans and horses, can become infected through mosquito bites and represent dead-end hosts of WNV infection. Because WNV can infect diverse species, research on this arbovirus has investigated the host response in mosquitoes, birds, humans, and horses. With the growing geographical range of the WNV mosquito vector and increased human exposure, improved surveillance and treatment of the infection will enhance public health in areas where WNV is endemic. In this review, we survey the bionomics of mosquito species involved in Nearctic WNV transmission. Subsequently, we describe the known immune response pathways that counter WNV infection in insects, birds, and mammals, as well as the mechanisms known to curb viral infection. Moreover, we discuss the bacterium Wolbachia and its involvement in reducing flavivirus titer in insects. Finally, we highlight the similarities of the known immune pathways and identify potential targets for future studies aimed at improving antiviral therapeutic and vaccination design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura R H Ahlers
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Alan G Goodman
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States.,Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
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Zhang X, Tang S, Liu Q, Cheke RA, Zhu H. Models to assess the effects of non-identical sex ratio augmentations of Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes on the control of dengue disease. Math Biosci 2018. [PMID: 29530790 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbs.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The introduction of endosymbiont Wolbachia into laboratory-reared mosquito populations, which are then released to mix with natural populations to prevent the mosquito vectors from reproducing and thus break the transmission cycle of dengue disease, is an innovative new technology. Field trials of Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes have now been implemented in many countries where there have been the outbreaks of dengue disease. A mathematical model is proposed to investigate the effects of non-identical sex ratio releases of Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes on the control of dengue transmission. Firstly, we analyzed the existence and stability of equilibria for the system and proved the existence of forward and backward bifurcations. Secondly, bifurcation diagrams, the basins of attraction of the equilibria and the effects of mosquito augmentation for the system with imperfect and perfect transmission rates were obtained. Thirdly, three possible results for mosquito augmentation were summarized for different parameter regions. Further we explored an uncertainty and sensitivity analysis of solutions to estimate the effects of different parameter values on the success or failure of population replacement. Based on the above analysis, we considered a series of relevant issues such as (a) whether or not mosquito augmentation can ensure the success of population replacement? (b) If not, what are the parameter regions for the success or possible success of population replacement? (c) How does the initial density of natural mosquitoes and the quantity of mosquito augmentations affect the success of population replacement? (d) Whether all population replacements are effective for reducing the spread of dengue virus in the end? The results of this study will be helpful for public health authorities in designing proper strategies of mosquito augmentations for the control of dengue disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianghong Zhang
- College of Mathematics and Information Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, PR China; LAMPS, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Sanyi Tang
- College of Mathematics and Information Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, PR China
| | - Qiyong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, PR China
| | - Robert A Cheke
- Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich at Medway, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TB, UK
| | - Huaiping Zhu
- LAMPS, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada.
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Wolbachia-mediated virus blocking in mosquito cells is dependent on XRN1-mediated viral RNA degradation and influenced by viral replication rate. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1006879. [PMID: 29494679 PMCID: PMC5833283 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Wolbachia is currently being developed as a novel tool to block the transmission of dengue viruses (DENV) by Aedes aegypti. A number of mechanisms have been proposed to explain the DENV-blocking phenotype in mosquitoes, including competition for fatty acids like cholesterol, manipulation of host miRNAs and upregulation of innate immune pathways in the mosquito. We examined the various stages in the DENV infection process to better understand the mechanism of Wolbachia-mediated virus blocking (WMVB). Our results suggest that infection with Wolbachia does not inhibit DENV binding or cell entry, but reduces virus replication. In contrast to a previous report, we also observed a similar reduction in replication of West Nile virus (WNV). This reduced replication is associated with rapid viral RNA degradation in the cytoplasm. We didn't find a role for host miRNAs in WMVB. Further analysis showed that the 3' end of the virus subgenomic RNA was protected and accumulated over time suggesting that the degradation is XRN1-mediated. We also found that sub genomic flavivirus RNA accumulation inactivated XRN1 in mosquito cells in the absence of Wolbachia and led to enhancement of RNA degradation in its presence. Depletion of XRN1 decreased WMVB which was associated with a significant increase in DENV RNA. We also observed that WMVB is influenced by virus MOI and rate of virus replication. A comparatively elevated blocking was observed for slowly replicating DENV, compared to WNV. Similar results were obtained while analysing different DENV serotypes.
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Thongsripong P, Chandler JA, Green AB, Kittayapong P, Wilcox BA, Kapan DD, Bennett SN. Mosquito vector-associated microbiota: Metabarcoding bacteria and eukaryotic symbionts across habitat types in Thailand endemic for dengue and other arthropod-borne diseases. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:1352-1368. [PMID: 29375803 PMCID: PMC5773340 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases are a major health burden, yet factors affecting their spread are only partially understood. For example, microbial symbionts can impact mosquito reproduction, survival, and vectorial capacity, and hence affect disease transmission. Nonetheless, current knowledge of mosquito-associated microbial communities is limited. To characterize the bacterial and eukaryotic microbial communities of multiple vector species collected from different habitat types in disease endemic areas, we employed next-generation 454 pyrosequencing of 16S and 18S rRNA amplicon libraries, also known as metabarcoding. We investigated pooled whole adult mosquitoes of three medically important vectors, Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus, collected from different habitats across central Thailand where we previously characterized mosquito diversity. Our results indicate that diversity within the mosquito microbiota is low, with the majority of microbes assigned to one or a few taxa. Two of the most common eukaryotic and bacterial genera recovered (Ascogregarina and Wolbachia, respectively) are known mosquito endosymbionts with potentially parasitic and long evolutionary relationships with their hosts. Patterns of microbial composition and diversity appeared to differ by both vector species and habitat for a given species, although high variability between samples suggests a strong stochastic element to microbiota assembly. In general, our findings suggest that multiple factors, such as habitat condition and mosquito species identity, may influence overall microbial community composition, and thus provide a basis for further investigations into the interactions between vectors, their microbial communities, and human-impacted landscapes that may ultimately affect vector-borne disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panpim Thongsripong
- Department of MicrobiologyInstitute of Biodiversity Sciences and SustainabilityCalifornia Academy of SciencesSan FranciscoCAUSA
- Department of Tropical MedicineMedical Microbiology, and PharmacologyUniversity of Hawai'i at ManoaHonoluluHIUSA
- Present address:
Department of Tropical MedicineTulane UniversityNew OrleansLAUSA
| | - James Angus Chandler
- Department of MicrobiologyInstitute of Biodiversity Sciences and SustainabilityCalifornia Academy of SciencesSan FranciscoCAUSA
- Present address:
Department of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCAUSA
| | - Amy B. Green
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Hawai'i at ManoaHonoluluHIUSA
| | - Pattamaporn Kittayapong
- Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector‐Borne Diseases and Department of BiologyFaculty of ScienceMahidol University at SalayaNakhon PathomThailand
| | - Bruce A. Wilcox
- Global Health Asia and Integrative Research and Education ProgramFaculty of Public HealthMahidol UniversityBangkokThailand
| | - Durrell D. Kapan
- Department of Entomology and Center for Comparative GenomicsInstitute of Biodiversity Sciences and SustainabilityCalifornia Academy of SciencesSan FranciscoCAUSA
- Center for Conservation and Research TrainingPacific Biosciences Research CenterUniversity of Hawai'i at ManoaHonoluluHIUSA
| | - Shannon N. Bennett
- Department of MicrobiologyInstitute of Biodiversity Sciences and SustainabilityCalifornia Academy of SciencesSan FranciscoCAUSA
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Asad S, Parry R, Asgari S. Upregulation of Aedes aegypti Vago1 by Wolbachia and its effect on dengue virus replication. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 92:45-52. [PMID: 29157676 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2017.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Revised: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Dengue infection along with its related disease conditions poses a significant threat to human health. The pathogen responsible for this infection is dengue virus (DENV) which is primarily transmitted to humans through the bites of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Unavailability of a potent vaccine has recently sparked renewed research endeavours aimed at vector control. To date, Wolbachia as an endosymbiotic bacterium has shown promise as a novel biocontrol agent to restrict DENV replication in the vector, although the underlying antiviral mechanism remains elusive. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential role of Vago as a novel secretory protein involved in cross-talk between the innate immune pathways in Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes to restrict West Nile virus replication. In this study, we have identified two homologs of the Vago protein in Ae. aegypti and looked into their modulation in the case of Wolbachia wMelPop strain infection. Furthermore, we have investigated the role of AeVago1, that is highly induced by Wolbachia, in the context of Wolbachia-mosquito-DENV interactions. Knockdown studies of the AeVago1 gene in Wolbachia-infected cells led to significant increases in DENV replication, with no effect on Wolbachia density. Our results suggest that the Wolbachia-induced AeVago1 in Ae. aegypti may function as a host factor to suppress DENV replication in the mosquito.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sultan Asad
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Rhys Parry
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Sassan Asgari
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072 Australia.
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Mosquitoes as Arbovirus Vectors: From Species Identification to Vector Competence. PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH MONOGRAPHS 2018. [PMCID: PMC7122353 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-94075-5_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Mosquitoes and other arthropods transmit a large number of medically important pathogens, in particular viruses. These arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) include a wide variety of RNA viruses belonging to the Flaviviridae family (West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV), Dengue virus (DENV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), Zika virus (ZIKV)), the Togaviridae family (Chikungunya virus (CHIKV)), and Bunyavirales order (Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV)) (please refer also to Table 9.1). Arboviral transmission to humans and livestock constitutes a major threat to public health and economy as illustrated by the emergence of ZIKV in the Americas, RVFV outbreaks in Africa, and the worldwide outbreaks of DENV. To answer the question if those viral pathogens also pose a risk to Europe, we need to first answer the key questions (summarized in Fig. 9.1):Who could contribute to such an outbreak? Information about mosquito species resident or imported, potential hosts and viruses able to infect vectors and hosts in Germany is needed. Where would competent mosquito species meet favorable conditions for transmission? Information on the minimum requirements for efficient replication of the virus in a given vector species and subsequent transmission is needed. How do viruses and vectors interact to facilitate transmission? Information on the vector immunity, vector physiology, vector genetics, and vector microbiomes is needed.
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Soni M, Bhattacharya C, Sharma J, Khan SA, Dutta P. Molecular typing and phylogeny of Wolbachia: A study from Assam, North-Eastern part of India. Acta Trop 2017; 176:421-426. [PMID: 28939497 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/09/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wolbachia are maternally inherited endosymbiotic alphaproteobacteria, infecting 40-75% of arthropod species. Knowledge on distribution of native strains infecting mosquito vectors from endemic regions is essential for successful implementation of vector control interventions utilizing potential strains of Wolbachia. Study identified various native strains of Wolbachia inhabiting different mosquito species from field and colonised conditions of Assam. The fly Drosophila melanogaster was also included in our study. METHODS Different mosquito species collected from field viz; Aedes albopictus, Aedes aegypti, Anopheles hyrcanus, Anopheles annularis, Culex vishnui, Toxorhynchites splendens, Armegeries obturbans and fly Drosophila melanogaster were included in the study. Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus were obtained from RMRC, Dibrugarh mosquito colony y for Wolbachia screening. DNA was extracted from these species, amplified using group specific wsp primers followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS Aedes albopictus from Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Sivasagar district showed superinfection with A and B group of Wolbachia but, Aedes albopictus from Tezpur district presented infection with A group only. Our study reports for the first time natural infection of Wolbachia A and B group from colonised Anopheles stephensi mosquito but reported no infection from field collected Anopheles hyrcanus or Anopheles annularis. Similarly Armigeres obturbans and Culex vishnui presented infection with only B group of Wolbachia. Drosophila melanogaster showed superinfection with A and B group. Toxorhynchites splendens, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus reported no infection with Wolbachia. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge this is the first study on Wolbachia screening from Northeast part of India and also first report of natural Wolbachia infection from colonised Anopheles stephensi species. The current understanding on distribution of Wolbachia strains naturally present within insect species from this geographical region should aid future Wolbachia mediated vector control strategies.
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