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Charamis J, Balaska S, Ioannidis P, Dvořák V, Mavridis K, McDowell MA, Pavlidis P, Feyereisen R, Volf P, Vontas J. Comparative Genomics Uncovers the Evolutionary Dynamics of Detoxification and Insecticide Target Genes Across 11 Phlebotomine Sand Flies. Genome Biol Evol 2024; 16:evae186. [PMID: 39224065 PMCID: PMC11412322 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evae186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Sand flies infect more than 1 million people annually with Leishmania parasites and other bacterial and viral pathogens. Progress in understanding sand fly adaptations to xenobiotics has been hampered by the limited availability of genomic resources. To address this gap, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated the transcriptomes of 11 phlebotomine sand fly species. Subsequently, we leveraged these genomic resources to generate novel evolutionary insights pertaining to their adaptations to xenobiotics, including those contributing to insecticide resistance. Specifically, we annotated over 2,700 sand fly detoxification genes and conducted large-scale phylogenetic comparisons to uncover the evolutionary dynamics of the five major detoxification gene families: cytochrome P450s (CYPs), glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs), carboxyl/cholinesterases (CCEs), and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. Using this comparative approach, we show that sand flies have evolved diverse CYP and GST gene repertoires, with notable lineage-specific expansions in gene groups evolutionarily related to known xenobiotic metabolizers. Furthermore, we show that sand flies have conserved orthologs of (i) CYP4G genes involved in cuticular hydrocarbon biosynthesis, (ii) ABCB genes involved in xenobiotic toxicity, and (iii) two primary insecticide targets, acetylcholinesterase-1 (Ace1) and voltage gated sodium channel (VGSC). The biological insights and genomic resources produced in this study provide a foundation for generating and testing hypotheses regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying sand fly adaptations to xenobiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Charamis
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Heraklion 71409, Greece
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion 70013, Greece
| | - Sofia Balaska
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Heraklion 71409, Greece
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion 70013, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Ioannidis
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion 70013, Greece
- Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Vít Dvořák
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Konstantinos Mavridis
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion 70013, Greece
| | - Mary Ann McDowell
- Eck Institute for Global Health, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Pavlos Pavlidis
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Heraklion 71409, Greece
- Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
| | - René Feyereisen
- Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - John Vontas
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion 70013, Greece
- Pesticide Science Laboratory, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens 11855, Greece
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Oliveira MSD, Pereira GDS, Martinez LC, Reis AB, Resende MTCSD, Silva LLD, Zanuncio JC, Serrão JE. Effects of chronic oral exposure to insecticide teflubenzuron on the midgut of the honey bee Apis mellifera workers: histopathological insights into pesticide toxicity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:44908-44919. [PMID: 38955973 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34066-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
The honey bee Apis mellifera plays a significant role as a pollinator of native and cultivated plants, by increasing the productivity of several cultures, preserving the flora, and producing forest seeds. However, bee populations are declining worldwide, including A. mellifera, due to Colony Collapse Disorder, mainly resulting from the constant use of pesticides in the crops. Teflubenzuron is a physiological insecticide that belongs to the benzoylurea group, which inhibits chitin synthesis, the main component of the insect integument classified as safe for non-target insects, including bees. However, its effect on non-target organs of insects remains unknown. The midgut is the main organ of the digestive tract, which works in digestion and absorption and may be exposed to pesticides that contaminate food resources. The present work aimed to verify if the insecticide teflubenzuron is toxic and has histopathological effects on the midgut of A. mellifera adult workers. Workers exposed orally and chronically to the field-realistic concentration of teflubenzuron present 81.54% mortality. The epithelium of the midgut of these bees presents high vacuolization, spherocrystals, cell fragments released to the organ lumen, apocrine secretion, nuclear pyknosis, loss of cell-cell contact, and damage to regenerative cell nests and to the peritrophic matrix. These results indicate that the chitin synthesis-inhibiting insecticide teflubenzuron is toxic to A. mellifera after chronic oral exposure, at realistic field concentration, although it is classified as non-toxic to adult and non-target insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateus Soares de Oliveira
- Departamento de Entomologia, Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada À Agropecuária, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Giovanna Dos Santos Pereira
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada À Agropecuária, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs S/N - Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570 000, Brazil
| | | | - Aline Beatriz Reis
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada À Agropecuária, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs S/N - Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570 000, Brazil
| | - Matheus Tudor Cândido Santos de Resende
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada À Agropecuária, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs S/N - Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570 000, Brazil
| | - Laryssa Lemos da Silva
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada À Agropecuária, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs S/N - Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570 000, Brazil
| | - José Cola Zanuncio
- Departamento de Entomologia, Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada À Agropecuária, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - José Eduardo Serrão
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada À Agropecuária, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs S/N - Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570 000, Brazil.
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Addo SO, Amoako EK, Bentil RE, Agbodzi B, Mosore MT, Yeboah C, Attram N, Larbi JA, Kwakye-Nuako G, de Souza DK, Wilson MD, Boakye DA. Detection of Leishmania DNA in Phlebotomine Sand Flies in Tsatee, a Community in the Volta Region, Ghana. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 2023:1963050. [PMID: 37700879 PMCID: PMC10495235 DOI: 10.1155/2023/1963050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania parasites, which are spread by infected female sand flies, are the cause of the disease leishmaniasis. Although cutaneous leishmaniasis has been found to occur in the Volta Region, there is limited data on vector species and reservoirs. This study focused on the Tsatee community, in the South Dayi District of the Volta Region, and is aimed at identifying the sand fly fauna and detecting the presence of Leishmania DNA by the use of primers that target the conserved region of Leishmania spp. minicircle DNA of the parasite kinetoplast. The miniature light traps and hand aspirators provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were used to collect outdoor and indoor sand flies for five months in a guinea woodland and semideciduous forest area. From the collections, 4,580 phlebotomine sand flies were obtained and identified, and females were examined for Leishmania DNA using PCR. The male flies were 1,202 (26.24%), non-blood-fed females were 3,321 (72.51%), and 57 (1.25%) were blood-fed females. It was observed that Sergentomyia species constituted 99.91% of the total collected sand flies with S. africana (76.77%) as the predominant species. Phlebotomus rodhaini (0.09%) was the only Phlebotomus species identified from the study area. From 283 non-blood-fed sand fly pools and 57 individual blood-fed species screened, Leishmania DNA was detected in 12 (4.24%) pools and 8 (14.04%) individuals, respectively. It was observed that Leishmania DNA was detected in all the sand fly species identified except S. collarti. This study reports the first detection of Leishmania DNA in P. rodhaini in Ghana, with an infection rate of 33.33% (95% CI, 1.23-88.32). The findings suggest that the role of Phlebotomus in disease transmission in the study area cannot be discounted. Future studies should include continuous surveillance, blood meal preferences, and vector competence of the various infected phlebotomine sand flies to create effective control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth Offei Addo
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Emmanuel Kwame Amoako
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Ronald Essah Bentil
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Bright Agbodzi
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Mba-tihssommah Mosore
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Clara Yeboah
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Naiki Attram
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - John Asiedu Larbi
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Godwin Kwakye-Nuako
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Dziedzom K. de Souza
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Michael David Wilson
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Daniel Adjei Boakye
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
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Remadi L, Farjallah D, Chargui N, Belgacem S, Baba H, Zrieq R, Alzain MA, Babba H, Haouas N. Blood meal analysis and molecular detection of mammalian Leishmania DNA in wild-caught Sergentomyia spp. from Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:2181-2191. [PMID: 37449994 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07919-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) belonging to the genus Phlebotomus are vectors of pathogens such as arboviruses, bacteria, and parasites (Leishmania). Species of the genus Sergentomyia (Se.) transmit Sauroleishmania (Reptile Leishmania) and feed on cold-blooded vertebrates; recently, they have been incriminated in mammalian Leishmania transmission. In addition, they have been reported to feed on warm-blooded vertebrates. This study aimed to (i) screen wild-caught Sergentomyia species for the detection of mammalian Leishmania and (ii) identify the blood meal origin of engorged females. The sand flies were collected using centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) traps, mounted and identified morphologically. Only females of the genus Sergentomyia were screened for Leishmania infection using PCR targeting the 18S ribosomal DNA locus. For positive specimens, Leishmania parasites were typed using nested PCR targeting ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 followed by digestion with HaeIII. The PCR-RFLP results were confirmed through sequencing. Blood meal identification was performed through PCR amplification of the vertebrate cytochrome b gene using degenerate primers followed by sequencing. In total, 6026 sand fly specimens were collected between 2009 and 2018. Among these, 511 belonged to five species of Sergentomyia genus: Se. minuta (58.51%), Se. fallax (18.01%), Se. clydei (14.68%), Se. dreyfussi (6.26%), and Se. antennata (2.54%). A total of 256 female Sergentomyia sp. specimens were screened for Leishmania infection. Seventeen (17) were positive (6.64%). Two Leishmania species were identified. Leishmania major DNA was detected in five specimens; this included three Se. fallax, one Se. minuta, and one Se. dreyfussi collected from Tunisia. Leishmania infantum/L. donovani complex was detected in four Se. minuta and three Se. dreyfussi specimens collected from Tunisia. In addition, we identified the blood meal origin of five engorged Se. minuta specimens collected from Tunisia. Sequencing results revealed two blood sources: humans (n = 4) and reptiles (n = 1) indicating possible role of Sergentomyia species in the transmission of human Leishmania. In addition, these species could be involved in the life cycle of L. infantum/L. donovani complex and L. major. The results of the blood meal origin showed that Sergentomyia fed on both cold- and warm-blooded vertebrates. These findings enable a better understanding of the behavior of this sand fly genus. Further studies should focus on the role of Sergentomyia in human Leishmania transmission and possible control of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Latifa Remadi
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Parasitology-Mycology LP3M (code LR12ES08), Department of Clinical Biology B, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, street 1, Avicenne, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Dhekra Farjallah
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Parasitology-Mycology LP3M (code LR12ES08), Department of Clinical Biology B, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, street 1, Avicenne, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Najla Chargui
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Parasitology-Mycology LP3M (code LR12ES08), Department of Clinical Biology B, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, street 1, Avicenne, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Sameh Belgacem
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Parasitology-Mycology LP3M (code LR12ES08), Department of Clinical Biology B, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, street 1, Avicenne, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Hela Baba
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Parasitology-Mycology LP3M (code LR12ES08), Department of Clinical Biology B, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, street 1, Avicenne, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Rafat Zrieq
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, University of Ha'il, Ha'il, 2440, Saudi Arabia
- Applied Science, Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Mohamed Ali Alzain
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, University of Ha'il, Ha'il, 2440, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Dongola, Dongola, PO BOX 47, 41111, Dongola, Sudan
| | - Hamouda Babba
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Parasitology-Mycology LP3M (code LR12ES08), Department of Clinical Biology B, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, street 1, Avicenne, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Najoua Haouas
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Parasitology-Mycology LP3M (code LR12ES08), Department of Clinical Biology B, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, street 1, Avicenne, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia.
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de Souza DK, Addo SO, Desewu K, Nzelu CO, Mosore MT, Nimo-Paintsil S, Attram N, Appawu M, Wilson MD, Boakye DA. Investigating potential sand fly vectors after the first reported outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ghana. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:154. [PMID: 37118766 PMCID: PMC10148561 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05767-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by species of the genus Leishmania, which are transmitted through the bite of infected female sand flies. Since the first reported outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ghana, in 1999, there has been limited published information on its vectors and reservoir hosts there. Previous studies have shown strong dominance of the sand fly genus Sergentomyia over the genus Phlebotomus in Ghana. Thus the aim of this study was to determine the possible sand fly vector species in Ghana, as well as their human-feeding behavior, from the time of the first reported outbreak of CL in the country. METHODS Sand flies were collected from randomly selected houses in three communities. They were identified and used for blood meal source identification and the detection of Leishmania infection using molecular methods. RESULTS: A total of 1051 female sand flies were morphologically identified, of which Sergentomyia africana africana (29%) was the predominant species. Among the 275 female sand flies that had blood-fed, the identified blood meal sources included chicken (33.8%) and goat (12.4%); the percentage of human blood meals was 32%. Single-source and mixed-source blood meals were identified in Sergentomyia africana africana (11.6%), Sergentomyia ingrami (14.9%) and Sergentomyia simillima (20%), with S. simillima having the highest proportion of blood meals that included human blood (14.6%). Using molecular methods, unfed sand flies and identified human-feeding species were examined for the presence of Leishmania DNA. Pool screening analysis revealed three pools of S. ingrami positive for Leishmania major DNA, with an infection rate of 1.27% (95% confidence interval 2.467-3.647). CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that some Sergentomyia species may be involved in the transmission of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ghana. However, the role of S. ingrami as a vector of leishmaniasis in Ghana needs to be conclusively validated by isolating the parasite from this species and through experimental transmission studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dziedzom K de Souza
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
| | - Seth Offei Addo
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kwame Desewu
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana
| | - Chukwunonso O Nzelu
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Departments of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine and Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Mba T Mosore
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Shirley Nimo-Paintsil
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Naiki Attram
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Maxwell Appawu
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Michael D Wilson
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Daniel A Boakye
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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Liu D, De Schutter K, Far J, Staes A, Dewettinck K, Quinton L, Gevaert K, Smagghe G. RNAi of Mannosidase-Ia in the Colorado potato beetle and changes in the midgut and peritrophic membrane. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:5071-5079. [PMID: 36053804 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In addition to its role in the digestive system, the peritrophic membrane (PM) provides a physical barrier protecting the intestine from abrasion and against pathogens. Because of its sensitivity to RNA interference (RNAi), the notorious pest insect, the Colorado potato beetle (CPB, Leptinotarsa decemlineata), has become a model insect for functional studies. Previously, RNAi-mediated silencing of Mannosidase-Ia (ManIa), a key enzyme in the transition from high-mannose glycan moieties to paucimannose N-glycans, was shown to disrupt the transition from larva to pupa and the metamorphosis into adult beetles. While these effects at the organismal level were interesting in a pest control context, the effects at the organ or tissue level and also immune effects have not been investigated yet. To fill this knowledge gap, we performed an analysis of the midgut and PM in ManIa-silenced insects. RESULTS As marked phenotype, the ManIaRNAi insects, the PM pore size was found to be decreased when compared to the control GFPRNAi insects. These smaller pores are related to the observation of thinner microvilli (Mv) on the epithelial cells of the midgut of ManIaRNAi insects. A midgut and PM proteome study and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis with a selection of marker genes was performed to characterize the midgut cells and understand their response to the silencing of ManIa. In agreement with the loss of ManIa activity, an accumulation of high-mannose N-glycans was observed in the ManIa-silenced insects. As a pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP), the presence of these glycan structures could trigger the activation of the immune pathways. CONCLUSION The observed decrease in PM pore size could be a response to prevent potential pathogens to access the midgut epithelium. This hypothesis is supported by the strong increase in transcription levels of the anti-fungal peptide drosomycin-like in ManIaRNAi insects, although further research is required to elucidate this possibility. The potential immune response in the midgut and the smaller pore size in the PM shed a light on the function of the PM as a physical barrier and provide evidence for the relation between the Mv and PM. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Liu
- Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kristof De Schutter
- Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Johann Far
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, MolSys Research Unit, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - An Staes
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Koen Dewettinck
- Food Structure and Function Research Group, Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Loic Quinton
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, MolSys Research Unit, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Kris Gevaert
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Mendoza‐Roldan JA, Votýpka J, Bandi C, Epis S, Modrý D, Tichá L, Volf P, Otranto D. Leishmania tarentolae: A new frontier in the epidemiology and control of the leishmaniases. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e1326-e1337. [PMID: 35839512 PMCID: PMC9804434 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14660] [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: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis (or the leishmaniases), classified as a neglected tropical parasitic disease, is found in parts of the tropics, subtropics and southern Europe. Leishmania parasites are transmitted by the bite of phlebotomine sand flies and million cases of human infection occur annually. Leishmania tarentolae has been historically considered a non-pathogenic protozoan of reptiles, which has been studied mainly for its potential biotechnological applications. However, some strains of L. tarentolae appear to be transiently infective to mammals. In areas where leishmaniasis is endemic, recent molecular diagnostics and serological positivity to L. tarentolae in humans and dogs have spurred interest in the interactions between these mammalian hosts, reptiles and Leishmania infantum, the main aetiologic agent of human and canine leishmaniasis. In this review, we discuss the systematics and biology of L. tarentolae in the insect vectors and the vertebrate hosts and address questions about evolution of reptilian leishmaniae. Furthermore, we discuss the possible usefulness of L. tarentolae for new vaccination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jan Votýpka
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic,Biology Centre, Institute of ParasitologyCzech Academy of SciencesČeské BudějoviceCzech Republic
| | - Claudio Bandi
- Department of Biosciences and Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”University of MilanMilanItaly
| | - Sara Epis
- Department of Biosciences and Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”University of MilanMilanItaly
| | - David Modrý
- Biology Centre, Institute of ParasitologyCzech Academy of SciencesČeské BudějoviceCzech Republic,Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of ScienceMasaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic,Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural ResourcesCzech University of Life SciencesPragueCzech Republic
| | - Lucie Tichá
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of BariValenzanoItaly,Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary ScienceBu‐Ali Sina UniversityHamedanIran
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Ticha L, Sadlova J, Bates P, Volf P. Experimental infections of sand flies and geckos with Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) adleri and Leishmania (S.) hoogstraali. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:289. [PMID: 35953873 PMCID: PMC9367110 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05417-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Species belonging to the subgenus Sauroleishmania are parasites of reptiles, and traditionally considered to be non-pathogenic to mammals. Knowledge of the development of these parasites in sand flies and their mechanism of transmission is currently lacking. The main aim of this study was to test the susceptibility of various sand fly species to infection by two Sauroleishmania species, focusing on the localization of parasites in the sand fly intestinal tract. METHODS The development of Leishmania (Sauroleishmania [S.]) adleri and Leishmania (S.) hoogstraali was studied in six sand fly species (Phlebotomus orientalis, P. argentipes, P. sergenti, P. papatasi, P. duboscqi, Sergentomyia schwetzi). Sand flies were fed through a chick-skin membrane on blood containing Sauroleishmania promastigotes, and they were dissected at various time intervals post blood meal (PBM). Guts were examined microscopically for the presence of parasites, and the intensity and localizations of infections were recorded. Morphological forms of both Sauroleishmania species developing in P. orientalis were analyzed. Experimental infections of geckos using sand fly-derived promastigotes were also performed, and the reptiles were repeatedly examined for Sauroleishmania infection by xenodiagnosis and PCR analysis. RESULTS High infection rates for both Sauroleishmania species were observed in P. orientalis and P. argentipes, with the parasites migrating anteriorly and undergoing a peripylarian type of development, including colonization of the stomodeal valve. Conversely, the development of L. (S.) adleri in P. sergenti, P. papatasi and Se. schwetzi was restricted to the sand fly hindgut (hypopylarian type of development). Five morphological forms were distinguished for both Sauroleishmania species developing in P. orientalis. All experimentally infected geckos scored negative for Sauroleishmania based on xenodiagnosis and molecular analysis. CONCLUSIONS The results showed that Sauroleishmania promastigotes can undergo either a peripylarian or hypopylarian type of development in the sand fly intestinal tract, depending on the sand fly species infected. We demonstrated that P. argentipes and P. orientalis, two sand fly species known as permissive vectors for mammalian parasites of subgenus Leishmania, are also highly susceptible to Sauroleishmania as the parasites developed mature late-stage infections, including colonization of the sand fly stomodeal valve. Thus, the role of Phlebotomus sand flies in transmission of Sauroleishmania should be reconsidered and further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Ticha
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jovana Sadlova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Paul Bates
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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9
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Omondi ZN, Arserim SK, Töz S, Özbel Y. Host-Parasite Interactions: Regulation of Leishmania Infection in Sand Fly. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:606-618. [PMID: 35107776 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-022-00519-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Sand flies are the only proven vectors of leishmaniases, a tropical neglected disease endemic in at least 92 countries. Vector-parasite interactions play a significant role in vector-borne disease transmission. There are various bottlenecks to Leishmania colonization of the sand fly midgut. Such bottlenecks include the production of innate immune-related molecules, digestive proteases, parasite impermeable peritrophic membrane, and resident gut microbiota. These barriers determine the parasite load transmitted and, consequently, the disease outcome in mammalian host. Therefore, it is important to understand the molecular responses of both sand fly and Leishmania during infection. METHOD Here, we reviewed the published literature on sand fly-Leishmania interactions bringing together earlier and current findings to highlight new developments and research gaps in the field. CONCLUSION Recent research studies on sand fly-Leishmania interaction have revealed contrasting observations to past studies. However, how Leishmania parasites evade the sand fly immune response still needs further research. Sand fly response to Leishmania infection can be best understood by analyzing its tissue transcriptome. Better characterization of the role of midgut components could be a game changer in development of transmission-blocking strategies for leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeph Nelson Omondi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Erzene Street, 35040, Bornova/Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Suha Kenan Arserim
- Vocational School of Health Sciences, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Seray Töz
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Yusuf Özbel
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
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10
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Cecílio P, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Oliveira F. Sand flies: Basic information on the vectors of leishmaniasis and their interactions with Leishmania parasites. Commun Biol 2022; 5:305. [PMID: 35379881 PMCID: PMC8979968 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03240-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood-sucking arthropods transmit a variety of human pathogens acting as disseminators of the so-called vector-borne diseases. Leishmaniasis is a spectrum of diseases caused by different Leishmania species, transmitted quasi worldwide by sand flies. However, whereas many laboratories focus on the disease(s) and etiological agents, considerably less study the respective vectors. In fact, information on sand flies is neither abundant nor easy to find; aspects including basic biology, ecology, and sand-fly-Leishmania interactions are usually reported separately. Here, we compile elemental information on sand flies, in the context of leishmaniasis. We discuss the biology, distribution, and life cycle, the blood-feeding process, and the Leishmania-sand fly interactions that govern parasite transmission. Additionally, we highlight some outstanding questions that need to be answered for the complete understanding of parasite–vector–host interactions in leishmaniasis. In this review, numerous aspects of sand flies as vectors of Leishmania parasites—from biology to the vector parasite interactions—are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Cecílio
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA. .,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal. .,Parasite Disease Group, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal. .,Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto (FFUP), Porto, Portugal.
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Parasite Disease Group, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto (FFUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Fabiano Oliveira
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA.
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11
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Leishmaniasis: the act of transmission. Trends Parasitol 2021; 37:976-987. [PMID: 34389215 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The contribution of vector transmission to pathogen establishment is largely underrated. For Leishmania, transmission by sand flies is critical to early survival involving an irreproducible myriad of parasite, vector, and host molecules acting in concert to promote infection at the bite site. Here, we review recent breakthroughs that provide consequential insights into how vector transmission of Leishmania unfolds. We focus on recent work pertaining to the effect of gut microbiota, sand fly immunity, and changes in metacyclogenesis upon multiple blood meals, on Leishmania development and transmission. We also explore how sand fly saliva, egested parasite molecules and vector gut microbiota, and bleeding have been implicated in modulating the early innate host response to Leishmania, affecting the phenotype of neutrophils and monocytes arriving at the bite site.
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12
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Becvar T, Vojtkova B, Siriyasatien P, Votypka J, Modry D, Jahn P, Bates P, Carpenter S, Volf P, Sadlova J. Experimental transmission of Leishmania (Mundinia) parasites by biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009654. [PMID: 34115806 PMCID: PMC8221790 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania parasites, causative agents of leishmaniasis, are currently divided into four subgenera: Leishmania, Viannia, Sauroleishmania and Mundinia. The recently established subgenus Mundinia has a wide geographical distribution and contains five species, three of which have the potential to infect and cause disease in humans. While the other Leishmania subgenera are transmitted exclusively by phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae), natural vectors of Mundinia remain uncertain. This study investigates the potential of sand flies and biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) to transmit Leishmania parasites of the subgenus Mundinia. Sand flies (Phlebotomus argentipes, P. duboscqi and Lutzomyia migonei) and Culicoides biting midges (Culicoides sonorensis) were exposed to five Mundinia species through a chicken skin membrane and dissected at specific time intervals post bloodmeal. Potentially infected insects were also allowed to feed on ear pinnae of anaesthetized BALB/c mice and the presence of Leishmania DNA was subsequently confirmed in the mice using polymerase chain reaction analyses. In C. sonorensis, all Mundinia species tested were able to establish infection at a high rate, successfully colonize the stomodeal valve and produce a higher proportion of metacyclic forms than in sand flies. Subsequently, three parasite species, L. martiniquensis, L. orientalis and L. sp. from Ghana, were transmitted to the host mouse ear by C. sonorensis bite. In contrast, transmission experiments entirely failed with P. argentipes, although colonisation of the stomodeal valve was observed for L. orientalis and L. martiniquensis and metacyclic forms of L. orientalis were recorded. This laboratory-based transmission of Mundinia species highlights that Culicoides are potential vectors of members of this ancestral subgenus of Leishmania and we suggest further studies in endemic areas to confirm their role in the lifecycles of neglected pathogens. Leishmania parasites are causative agents of leishmaniasis, a disease affecting millions of humans worldwide. It is widely accepted that these flagellates are transmitted exclusively by phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae). Reservoir hosts and insect vectors for the newly established Leishmania subgenus Mundinia, however, remain poorly understood. Preliminary evidence from field-based studies discovered biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) that were naturally infected by L. (Mundinia) macropodum in Australia. This surprising finding led us to carry out a detailed laboratory study aimed at comparison of the development of all currently known species of the subgenus Mundinia in both putative vector families. We found that all five Mundinia species developed successfully in C. sonorensis and the successful transmission of three Mundinia species from infected insects to mice was demonstrated for the first time. This is the first detailed in vivo evidence that biting midges can act as competent vectors of Leishmania parasites of the subgenus Mundinia and has considerable epidemiological implications for control of these neglected pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Becvar
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Vojtkova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Padet Siriyasatien
- Vector Biology and Vector Borne Disease Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jan Votypka
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - David Modry
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Veterinary Sciences/CINeZ, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Jahn
- Equine Clinic, University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Paul Bates
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Carpenter
- Entomology Group, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jovana Sadlova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
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13
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Characteristics of the Peritrophic Matrix of the Silkworm, Bombyx mori and Factors Influencing Its Formation. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12060516. [PMID: 34199436 PMCID: PMC8227122 DOI: 10.3390/insects12060516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The insect midgut is an important digestive organ with the peritrophic matrix (PM) being a semi-permeable membrane secreted by the midgut cells. The PM plays an important role in improving midgut digestion efficiency and protecting the midgut from food particles and exogenous pathogens. The silkworm, Bombyx mori, is an economically important insect. Understanding the structure of the PM is necessary for studying its function, but characteristics of PM in B. mori have been rarely reported. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive study on the PM structure of the PM in silkworms and found its thickness increased gradually during growth, but there was no difference in the thickness comparing the anterior, middle, and posterior regions. Permeability of the PM gradually decreased from the anterior to posterior regions. In addition, we found the formation of the PM was influenced by food ingestion and the gut microbiota. Abstract The peritrophic matrix (PM) secreted by the midgut cells of insects is formed by the binding of PM proteins to chitin fibrils. The PM envelops the food bolus, serving as a barrier between the content of the midgut lumen and its epithelium, and plays a protective role for epithelial cells against mechanical damage, pathogens, toxins, and other harmful substances. However, few studies have investigated the characteristics and synthesis factors of the PM in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Here, we examined the characteristics of the PM in the silkworms. The PM thickness of the silkworms increased gradually during growth, while there was no significant difference in thickness along the entire PM region. Permeability of the PM decreased gradually from the anterior to posterior PM. We also found that PM synthesis was affected by food ingestion and the gut microbiota. Our results are beneficial for future studies regarding the function of the PM in silkworms.
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14
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Owino BO, Mwangi JM, Kiplagat S, Mwangi HN, Ingonga JM, Chebet A, Ngumbi PM, Villinger J, Masiga DK, Matoke-Muhia D. Molecular detection of Leishmania donovani, Leishmania major, and Trypanosoma species in Sergentomyia squamipleuris sand flies from a visceral leishmaniasis focus in Merti sub-County, eastern Kenya. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:53. [PMID: 33461609 PMCID: PMC7812738 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04517-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) are of public health concern in Merti sub-County, Kenya, but epidemiological data on transmission, vector abundance, distribution, and reservoir hosts remain limited. To better understand the disease and inform control measures to reduce transmission, we investigated the abundance and distribution of sand fly species responsible for Leishmania transmission in the sub-County and their blood-meal hosts. METHODS We conducted an entomological survey in five villages with reported cases of VL in Merti sub-County, Kenya, using CDC miniature light traps and castor oil sticky papers. Sand flies were dissected and identified to the species level using standard taxonomic keys and PCR analysis of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. Leishmania parasites were detected and identified by PCR and sequencing of internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) genes. Blood-meal sources of engorged females were identified by high-resolution melting analysis of vertebrate cytochrome b (cyt-b) gene PCR products. RESULTS We sampled 526 sand flies consisting of 8 species, Phlebotomus orientalis (1.52%; n = 8), and 7 Sergentomyia spp. Sergentomyia squamipleuris was the most abundant sand fly species (78.71%; n = 414) followed by Sergentomyia clydei (10.46%; n = 55). Leishmania major, Leishmania donovani, and Trypanosoma DNA were detected in S. squamipleuris specimens. Humans were the main sources of sand fly blood meals. However, we also detected mixed blood meals; one S. squamipleuris specimen had fed on both human and mouse (Mus musculus) blood, while two Ph. orientalis specimens fed on human, hyrax (Procavia capensis), and mouse (Mus musculus) blood. CONCLUSIONS Our findings implicate the potential involvement of S. squamipleuris in the transmission of Leishmania and question the dogma that human leishmaniases in the Old World are exclusively transmitted by sand flies of the Phlebotomus genus. The presence of Trypanosoma spp. may indicate mechanical transmission, whose efficiency should be investigated. Host preference analysis revealed the possibility of zoonotic transmission of leishmaniasis and other pathogens in the sub-County. Leishmania major and L. donovani are known to cause ZCL and VL, respectively. However, the reservoir status of the parasites is not uniform. Further studies are needed to determine the reservoir hosts of Leishmania spp. in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barrack O Owino
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jackline Milkah Mwangi
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Off Mbagathi Road, P.O. Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Steve Kiplagat
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Hannah Njiriku Mwangi
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Off Mbagathi Road, P.O. Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Johnstone M Ingonga
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Off Mbagathi Road, P.O. Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Alphine Chebet
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Off Mbagathi Road, P.O. Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Philip M Ngumbi
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Off Mbagathi Road, P.O. Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jandouwe Villinger
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Daniel K Masiga
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Damaris Matoke-Muhia
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya. .,Kenya Medical Research Institute, Off Mbagathi Road, P.O. Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
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15
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Zha XL, Yu XB, Zhang HY, Wang H, Huang XZ, Shen YH, Lu C. Identification of Peritrophins and Antiviral Effect of Bm01504 against BmNPV in the Silkworm, Bombyx mori. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21217973. [PMID: 33121000 PMCID: PMC7663561 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21217973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The insect midgut secretes a semi-permeable, acellular peritrophic membrane (PM) that maintains intestinal structure, promotes digestion, and protects the midgut from food particles and pathogenic microorganisms. Peritrophin is an important PM protein (PMP) in the PM. Here, we identified 11 peritrophins with 1–16 chitin binding domains (CBDs) comprising 50–56 amino acid residues. Multiple CBDs in the same peritrophin clustered together, rather than by species. The CBD contained six highly conserved cysteine residues, with the key feature of amino acids between them being CX11-15CX5CX9-14CX11-12CX6-7C. Peritrophins with 2 and 4 CBDs (Bm09641 and Bm01504, respectively), and with 1, 8, and 16 CBDs (Bm11851, Bm00185, and Bm01491, respectively) were mainly expressed in the anterior midgut, and throughout the midgut, respectively. Survival rates of transgenic silkworms with Bm01504 overexpression (Bm01504-OE) and knockout (Bm01504-KO) infected with B. morinucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) were significantly higher and lower, whereas expression of the key viral gene, p10, were lower and higher, respectively, compared with wild type (WT). Therefore, Bm01504-OE and Bm01504-KO transgenic silkworms were more and less resistant, respectively, to BmNPV. Bm01504 plays important roles in resisting BmNPV invasion. We provide a new perspective for studying PM function, and reveal how the silkworm midgut resists invasive exogenous pathogenic microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu-Le Zha
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing 400715, China; (X.-L.Z.); (X.-B.Y.); (H.-Y.Z.); (H.W.)
| | - Xin-Bo Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing 400715, China; (X.-L.Z.); (X.-B.Y.); (H.-Y.Z.); (H.W.)
| | - Hong-Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing 400715, China; (X.-L.Z.); (X.-B.Y.); (H.-Y.Z.); (H.W.)
| | - Han Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing 400715, China; (X.-L.Z.); (X.-B.Y.); (H.-Y.Z.); (H.W.)
| | - Xian-Zhi Huang
- Science and Technology Department, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China;
| | - Yi-Hong Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing 400715, China; (X.-L.Z.); (X.-B.Y.); (H.-Y.Z.); (H.W.)
- Correspondence: (Y.-H.S.); (C.L.); Tel.: +86-138-8360-7000 (Y.-H.S.); +86-23-6825-0346 (C.L.)
| | - Cheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing 400715, China; (X.-L.Z.); (X.-B.Y.); (H.-Y.Z.); (H.W.)
- Correspondence: (Y.-H.S.); (C.L.); Tel.: +86-138-8360-7000 (Y.-H.S.); +86-23-6825-0346 (C.L.)
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Spitzova T, Sumova P, Volfova V, Polanska N, Poctova L, Volf P. Interactions between host biogenic amines and sand fly salivary yellow-related proteins. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:237. [PMID: 32381071 PMCID: PMC7206685 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04105-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During blood feeding, sand flies inoculate salivary proteins that interact with the host haemostatic system. The blocking of biogenic amines such as serotonin and histamine helps to limit vasodilatation and clot formation, and thus enables the insect to finish the blood-feeding process. In sand flies, an amine-binding ability is known only for the yellow-related proteins of Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia vectors, but not yet for members of the genus Sergentomyia. METHODS The ability of Phlebotomus argentipes and Sergentomyia schwetzi recombinant yellow-related salivary proteins to bind histamine and serotonin was measured by microscale thermophoresis. Both sand fly species were also fed through a chicken-skin membrane on blood mixed with histamine or serotonin in order to check the effects of biogenic amines on sand fly fitness. Additionally, fecundity and mortality were compared in two groups of P. argentipes females fed on repeatedly-bitten and naive hamsters, respectively. RESULTS The P. argentipes recombinant yellow-related protein PagSP04 showed high binding affinity to serotonin and low affinity to histamine. No binding activity was detected for two yellow-related proteins of S. schwetzi. Elevated concentrations of serotonin significantly reduced the amount of eggs laid by P. argentipes when compared to the control. The fecundity of S. schwetzi and the mortality of both sand fly species were not impaired after the experimental membrane feeding. Additionally, there were no differences in oviposition or mortality between P. argentipes females fed on immunized or naive hamsters. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that in natural conditions sand flies are able to cope with biogenic amines or anti-saliva antibodies without any influence on their fitness. The serotonin binding by salivary yellow-related proteins may play an important role in Phlebotomus species feeding on mammalian hosts, but not in S. schwetzi, which is adapted to reptiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Spitzova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 128 44, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| | - Petra Sumova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 128 44, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Vera Volfova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 128 44, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Nikola Polanska
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 128 44, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Luisa Poctova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 128 44, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 128 44, Prague 2, Czech Republic
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Oliveira AH, Fernandes KM, Gonçalves WG, Zanuncio JC, Serrão JE. A peritrophin mediates the peritrophic matrix permeability in the workers of the bees Melipona quadrifasciata and Apis mellifera. ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2019; 53:100885. [PMID: 31614307 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2019.100885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The permeability of the peritrophic matrix, essential for its function, depends on its chemical composition. The objective was to determine if the permeability of the peritrophic matrix varies along the midgut and in the presence of anti-peritrophin-55 antibody in Melipona quadrifasciata and Apis mellifera bees. The thickness of the peritrophic matrix in both species varies between the anterior and posterior midgut regions in workers. In A. mellifera dextran molecules with 40 kDa cross the peritrophic matrix, whereas those ≥70 kDa are retained in the endoperitrophic space. In M. quadrifasciata the peritrophic matrix permeability was for molecules <40 kDa. Bees fed on anti-peritrophin-55 antibody showed an increase in peritrophic matrix permeability, but survival was not affected. In the bees studied, the peritrophic matrices have morphological differences between midgut regions, but there is no difference in their permeability along the midgut, which is affected by peritrophin 55.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Henrique Oliveira
- Department of General Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
| | - Kenner Morais Fernandes
- Department of General Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
| | | | - José Cola Zanuncio
- Department of Entomology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
| | - José Eduardo Serrão
- Department of General Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
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Owino BO, Matoke-Muhia D, Alraey Y, Mwangi JM, Ingonga JM, Ngumbi PM, Casas-Sanchez A, Acosta-Serrano A, Masiga DK. Association of Phlebotomus guggisbergi with Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica in a complex transmission setting for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Gilgil, Nakuru county, Kenya. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007712. [PMID: 31626654 PMCID: PMC6821134 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phlebotomus (Larroussius) guggisbergi is among the confirmed vectors for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) transmission in Kenya. This scarring and stigmatizing form of leishmaniasis accounts for over one million annual cases worldwide. Most recent CL epidemics in Kenya have been reported in Gilgil, Nakuru County, where the disease has become a public health issue. However, little is known about the factors that drive its transmission. Here, we sought to determine the occurrence, distribution and host blood feeding preference of the vectors, and to identify Leishmania species and infection rates in sandflies using molecular techniques. This information could lead to a better understanding of the disease transmission and improvement of control strategies in the area. METHODOLOGY/ PRINCIPAL FINDINGS An entomological survey of sandflies using CDC light traps was conducted for one week per month in April 2016, and in June and July 2017 from five villages of Gilgil, Nakuru county; Jaica, Sogonoi, Utut, Gitare and Njeru. Sandflies were identified to species level using morphological keys and further verified by PCR analysis of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Midguts of female sandflies found to harbour Leishmania were ruptured and the isolated parasites cultured in Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle (NNN) media overlaid with Schneider's insect media to identify the species. Leishmania parasite screening and identification in 198 randomly selected Phlebotomus females and parasite cultures was done by PCR-RFLP analysis of ITS1 gene, nested kDNA-PCR and real-time PCR-HRM followed by sequencing. Bloodmeal source identification was done by real-time PCR-HRM of the vertebrate cytochrome-b gene. A total of 729 sandflies (males: n = 310; females: n = 419) were collected from Utut (36.6%), Jaica (24.3%), Sogonoi (34.4%), Njeru (4.5%), and Gitare (0.1%). These were found to consist of nine species: three Phlebotomus spp. and six Sergentomyia spp. Ph. guggisbergi was the most abundant species (75.4%, n = 550) followed by Ph. saevus sensu lato (11.3%, n = 82). Sandfly species distribution across the villages was found to be significantly different (p<0.001) with Jaica recording the highest diversity. The overall Leishmania infection rate in sandflies was estimated at 7.07% (14/198). Infection rates in Ph. guggisbergi and Ph. saevus s.l. were 9.09% (12/132) and 3.57% (2/56) respectively. L. tropica was found to be the predominant parasite in Gilgil with an overall infection rate of 6.91% (13/188) in Ph. guggisbergi (n = 11) and Ph. saevus s.l. (n = 2) sandflies. However, PCR analysis also revealed L. major infection in one Ph. guggisbergi specimen. Bloodmeal analysis in the 74 blood-fed sandflies disclosed a diverse range of vertebrate hosts in Ph. guggisbergi bloodmeals, while Ph. saevus s.l. fed mainly on humans. CONCLUSIONS/ SIGNIFICANCE The high infection rates of L. tropica and abundance of Ph. guggisbergi in this study confirms this sandfly as a vector of L. tropica in Kenya. Furthermore, isolation of live L. tropica parasites from Ph. saevus s.l. suggest that there are at least three potential vectors of this parasite species in Gilgil; Ph. guggisbergi, Ph. aculeatus and Ph. saevus s.l. Molecular identification of L. major infections in Ph. guggisbergi suggested this sandfly species as a potential permissive vector of L. major, which needs to be investigated further. Sandfly host preference analysis revealed the possibility of zoonotic transmissions of L. tropica in Gilgil since the main vector (Ph. guggisbergi) does not feed exclusively on humans but also other vertebrate species. Further investigations are needed to determine the potential role of these vertebrate species in L. tropica and L. major transmission in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barrack O. Owino
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Damaris Matoke-Muhia
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Yasser Alraey
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- King Khalid University, Medical Science College, Abha City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Jackline Milkah Mwangi
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Johnstone M. Ingonga
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Philip M. Ngumbi
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Aitor Casas-Sanchez
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Alvaro Acosta-Serrano
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel K. Masiga
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya
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Abstract
Background Leishmania development in the sand fly gut leads to highly infective forms called metacyclic promastigotes. This process can be routinely mimicked in culture. Gene expression–profiling studies by transcriptome analysis have been performed with the aim of studying promastigote forms in the sand fly gut, as well as differences between sand fly–and culture-derived promastigotes. Findings Transcriptome analysis has revealed the crucial role of the microenvironment in parasite development within the sand fly gut because substantial differences and moderate correlation between the transcriptomes of cultured and sand fly–derived promastigotes have been found. Sand fly–derived metacyclics are more infective than metacyclics in culture. Therefore, some caution should be exercised when using cultured promastigotes, depending on the experimental design. The most remarkable examples are the hydrophilic acidic surface protein/small endoplasmic reticulum protein (HASP/SHERP) cluster, the glycoprotein 63 (gp63), and autophagy genes, which are up-regulated in sand fly–derived promastigotes compared with cultured promastigotes. Because HASP/SHERP genes are up-regulated in nectomonad and metacyclic promastigotes in the sand fly, the encoded proteins are not metacyclic specific. Metacyclic promastigotes are distinguished by morphology and high infectivity. Isolating them from the sand fly gut is not exempt from technical difficulty, because other promastigote forms remain in the gut even 15 days after infection. Leishmania major procyclic promastigotes within the sand fly gut up-regulate genes involved in cell cycle regulation and glucose catabolism, whereas metacyclics increase transcript levels of fatty acid biosynthesis and ATP-coupled proton transport genes. Most parasite's signal transduction pathways remain uncharacterized. Future elucidation may improve understanding of parasite development, particularly signaling molecule-encoding genes in sand fly versus culture and between promastigote forms in the sand fly gut. Conclusions Transcriptome analysis has been demonstrated to be technically efficacious to study differential gene expression in sand fly gut promastigote forms. Transcript and protein levels are not well correlated in these organisms (approximately 25% quantitative coincidences), especially under stress situations and at differentiation processes. However, transcript and protein levels behave similarly in approximately 60% of cases from a qualitative point of view (increase, decrease, or no variation). Changes in translational efficiency observed in other trypanosomatids strongly suggest that the differences are due to translational regulation and regulation of the steady-state protein levels. The lack of low-input sample strategies does not allow translatome and proteome analysis of sand fly–derived promastigotes so far.
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