1
|
Schinkel M, Bousema T, van Rij RP. Tripartite interactions between viruses, parasites, and mosquitoes. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 64:101222. [PMID: 38908822 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2024.101222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases have a major impact on global human health. Biological agents that colonize the mosquito vector are increasingly explored as an intervention strategy to prevent vector-borne disease transmission. For instance, the release of mosquitoes carrying the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia effectively reduced dengue virus incidence and disease. Insect-specific viruses are likewise considered as biocontrol agents against vector-borne diseases. While most studies focused on insect-specific viruses as an intervention against arthropod-borne viruses, we here consider whether mosquito-specific viruses may affect the transmission of the malaria-causing Plasmodium parasite by Anopheles mosquitoes. Although there is no direct experimental evidence addressing this question, we found that viral infections in dipteran insects activate some of the immune pathways that are antiparasitic in Anopheles. These findings suggest that indirect virus-parasite interactions could occur and that insect-specific viruses may modulate malaria transmission. Tripartite interactions between viruses, parasites, and Anopheles mosquitoes thus merit further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Schinkel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Teun Bousema
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ronald P van Rij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cai JA, Christophides GK. Immune interactions between mosquitoes and microbes during midgut colonization. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 63:101195. [PMID: 38552792 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2024.101195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Mosquitoes encounter diverse microbes during their lifetime, including symbiotic bacteria, shaping their midgut ecosystem. The organization of the midgut supports microbiota persistence while defending against potential pathogens. The influx of nutrients during blood feeding triggers bacterial proliferation, challenging host homeostasis. Immune responses, aimed at controlling bacterial overgrowth, impact blood-borne pathogens such as malaria parasites. However, parasites deploy evasion strategies against mosquito immunity. Leveraging these mechanisms could help engineer malaria-resistant mosquitoes, offering a transformative tool for malaria elimination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia A Cai
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom
| | - George K Christophides
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, SW7 2AZ London, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Taracena-Agarwal ML, Hixson B, Nandakumar S, Girard-Mejia AP, Chen RY, Huot L, Padilla N, Buchon N. The midgut epithelium of mosquitoes adjusts cell proliferation and endoreplication to respond to physiological challenges. BMC Biol 2024; 22:22. [PMID: 38281940 PMCID: PMC10823748 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01769-x] [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: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hematophagous mosquitoes transmit many pathogens that cause human diseases. Pathogen acquisition and transmission occur when female mosquitoes blood feed to acquire nutrients for reproduction. The midgut epithelium of mosquitoes serves as the point of entry for transmissible viruses and parasites. RESULTS We studied midgut epithelial dynamics in five major mosquito vector species by quantifying PH3-positive cells (indicative of mitotic proliferation), the incorporation of nucleotide analogs (indicative of DNA synthesis accompanying proliferation and/or endoreplication), and the ploidy (by flow cytometry) of cell populations in the posterior midgut epithelium of adult females. Our results show that the epithelial dynamics of post-emergence maturation and of mature sugar-fed guts were similar in members of the Aedes, Culex, and Anopheles genera. In the first three days post-emergence, ~ 20% of cells in the posterior midgut region of interest incorporated nucleotide analogs, concurrent with both proliferative activity and a broad shift toward higher ploidy. In mature mosquitoes maintained on sugar, an average of 3.5% of cells in the posterior midgut region of interest incorporated nucleotide analogs from five to eight days post-emergence, with a consistent presence of mitotic cells indicating constant cell turnover. Oral bacterial infection triggered a sharp increase in mitosis and nucleotide analog incorporation, suggesting that the mosquito midgut undergoes accelerated cellular turnover in response to damage. Finally, blood feeding resulted in an increase in cell proliferation, but the nature and intensity of the response varied by mosquito species and by blood source (human, bovine, avian or artificial). In An. gambiae, enterocytes appeared to reenter the cell cycle to increase ploidy after consuming blood from all sources except avian. CONCLUSIONS We saw that epithelial proliferation, differentiation, and endoreplication reshape the blood-fed gut to increase ploidy, possibly to facilitate increased metabolic activity. Our results highlight the plasticity of the midgut epithelium in mosquitoes' physiological responses to distinct challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M L Taracena-Agarwal
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell Institute of Host-Microbe Interactions and Disease, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14852, USA
| | - B Hixson
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell Institute of Host-Microbe Interactions and Disease, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14852, USA
| | - S Nandakumar
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell Institute of Host-Microbe Interactions and Disease, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14852, USA
| | - A P Girard-Mejia
- Grupo de Biología y Control de Vectores, Centro de Estudios en Salud, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, 01015, Guatemala
| | - R Y Chen
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell Institute of Host-Microbe Interactions and Disease, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14852, USA
| | - L Huot
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell Institute of Host-Microbe Interactions and Disease, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14852, USA
| | - N Padilla
- Grupo de Biología y Control de Vectores, Centro de Estudios en Salud, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, 01015, Guatemala
| | - N Buchon
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell Institute of Host-Microbe Interactions and Disease, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14852, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Menezes A, Peixoto M, Silva M, Costa-Bartuli E, Oliveira CL, Walter-Nuno AB, Kistenmacker NDC, Pereira J, Ramos I, Paiva-Silva GO, Atella GC, Zancan P, Sola-Penna M, Gomes FM. Western diet consumption by host vertebrate promotes altered gene expression on Aedes aegypti reducing its lifespan and increasing fertility following blood feeding. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:12. [PMID: 38184590 PMCID: PMC10770904 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06095-3] [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: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in low- and middle-income countries is linked to an increase in Western diet consumption, characterized by a high intake of processed foods, which impacts the levels of blood sugar and lipids, hormones, and cytokines. Hematophagous insect vectors, such as the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti, rely on blood meals for reproduction and development and are therefore exposed to the components of blood plasma. However, the impact of the alteration of blood composition due to malnutrition and metabolic conditions on mosquito biology remains understudied. METHODS In this study, we investigated the impact of whole-blood alterations resulting from a Western-type diet on the biology of Ae. aegypti. We kept C57Bl6/J mice on a high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) diet for 20 weeks and followed biological parameters, including plasma insulin and lipid levels, insulin tolerance, and weight gain, to validate the development of metabolic syndrome. We further allowed Ae. aegypti mosquitoes to feed on mice and tracked how altered host blood composition modulated parameters of vector capacity. RESULTS Our findings identified that HFHS-fed mice resulted in reduced mosquito longevity and increased fecundity upon mosquito feeding, which correlated with alteration in the gene expression profile of nutrient sensing and physiological and metabolic markers as studied up to several days after blood ingestion. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides new insights into the overall effect of alterations of blood components on mosquito biology and its implications for the transmission of infectious diseases in conditions where the frequency of Western diet-induced metabolic syndromes is becoming more frequent. These findings highlight the importance of addressing metabolic health to further understand the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses in endemic areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Menezes
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marilia Peixoto
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Melissa Silva
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Emylle Costa-Bartuli
- The Metabolizsm' Group, Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cinara Lima Oliveira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Lipídeos e Lipoproteínas, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo De Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Beatriz Walter-Nuno
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Artrópodes Hematófagos, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nathan da Cruz Kistenmacker
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jessica Pereira
- Laboratorio de Ovogênese Molecular de Insetos Vetores, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Isabela Ramos
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratorio de Ovogênese Molecular de Insetos Vetores, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gabriela O Paiva-Silva
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Artrópodes Hematófagos, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratorio de Ovogênese Molecular de Insetos Vetores, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Geórgia C Atella
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Lipídeos e Lipoproteínas, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo De Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratorio de Ovogênese Molecular de Insetos Vetores, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Patricia Zancan
- The Metabolizsm' Group, Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mauro Sola-Penna
- The Metabolizsm' Group, Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fabio M Gomes
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Laboratorio de Ovogênese Molecular de Insetos Vetores, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Alves e Silva TL, Canepa GE, Sweeney B, Hessab Alvarenga P, Zhao M, Vega-Rodríguez J, Molina-Cruz A, Barillas-Mury C. The heat shock protein Hsc70-3 mediates an anti-apoptotic response critical for Plasmodium evasion of Anopheles gambiae immunity. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0094023. [PMID: 37982627 PMCID: PMC10715144 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00940-23] [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: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Malaria transmission by Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes is very effective, in part because the parasite expresses a surface protein called Pfs47 that allows it to evade the mosquito immune system. Here we investigate how this protein changes the response of mosquito midgut epithelial cells to invasion by the parasite. Pfs47 is known to interact with P47Rec, a mosquito midgut receptor. We found that Pf47Rec inhibits caspase-mediated apoptosis by interacting with the Hsc70-3. This disrupts nitration of midgut epithelial cells invaded by the parasite and the release of hemocyte-derived microvesicles, which are critical for effective activation of the mosquito complement system that eliminates the parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Luiz Alves e Silva
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Gaspar E. Canepa
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Brendan Sweeney
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Patricia Hessab Alvarenga
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Ming Zhao
- Research Technology Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Joel Vega-Rodríguez
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Alvaro Molina-Cruz
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Carolina Barillas-Mury
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Prado Sepulveda CC, Alencar RM, Santana RA, Belém de Souza I, D'Elia GMA, Godoy RSM, Duarte AP, Lopes SCP, de Lacerda MVG, Monteiro WM, Nacif-Pimenta R, Secundino NFC, Koerich LB, Pimenta PFP. Evolution and assembly of Anopheles aquasalis's immune genes: primary malaria vector of coastal Central and South America and the Caribbean Islands. Open Biol 2023; 13:230061. [PMID: 37433331 PMCID: PMC10335856 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.230061] [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: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Anophelines are vectors of malaria, the deadliest disease worldwide transmitted by mosquitoes. The availability of genomic data from various Anopheles species allowed evolutionary comparisons of the immune response genes in search of alternative vector control of the malarial parasites. Now, with the Anopheles aquasalis genome, it was possible to obtain more information about the evolution of the immune response genes. Anopheles aquasalis has 278 immune genes in 24 families or groups. Comparatively, the American anophelines possess fewer genes than Anopheles gambiae s. s., the most dangerous African vector. The most remarkable differences were found in the pathogen recognition and modulation families like FREPs, CLIP and C-type lectins. Even so, genes related to the modulation of the expression of effectors in response to pathogens and gene families that control the production of reactive oxygen species were more conserved. Overall, the results show a variable pattern of evolution in the immune response genes in the anopheline species. Environmental factors, such as exposure to different pathogens and differences in the microbiota composition, could shape the expression of this group of genes. The results presented here will contribute to a better knowledge of the Neotropical vector and open opportunities for malaria control in the endemic-affected areas of the New World.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cesar Camilo Prado Sepulveda
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Maciel Alencar
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Rosa Amélia Santana
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Igor Belém de Souza
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Gigliola Mayra Ayres D'Elia
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Raquel Soares Maia Godoy
- Instituto de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, FIOCRUZ – Belo Horizonte. Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Duarte
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Stefanie Costa Pinto Lopes
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisas Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Marcus Vinicius Guimarães de Lacerda
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisas Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Wuelton Marcelo Monteiro
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Rafael Nacif-Pimenta
- Departament of Epidemiology of Microbial Disease, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nágila Francinete Costa Secundino
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, FIOCRUZ – Belo Horizonte. Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Barbosa Koerich
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paulo Filemon Paolucci Pimenta
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, FIOCRUZ – Belo Horizonte. Minas Gerais, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ramelow J, Keleta Y, Niu G, Wang X, Li J. Plasmodium parasitophorous vacuole membrane protein Pfs16 promotes malaria transmission by silencing mosquito immunity. J Biol Chem 2023:104824. [PMID: 37196765 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104824] [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: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
With rising cases for the first time in years, malaria remains a significant public health burden. The sexual stage of the malaria parasite infects mosquitoes to transmit malaria from host to host. Hence, an infected mosquito plays an essential role in malaria transmission. Plasmodium falciparum is the most dominant and dangerous malaria pathogen. Previous studies identified a sexual stage-specific protein 16 (Pfs16) localized to the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM). Here we elucidate the function of Pfs16 during malaria transmission. Our structural analysis identified Pfs16 as an alpha-helical integral membrane protein with one transmembrane domain connecting to two regions across PVM. ELISA assays showed that insect cell-expressed recombinant Pfs16 (rPfs16) interacted with An. gambiae midguts, and microscopy found that rPfs16 bound to midgut epithelial cells. Transmission-blocking assays demonstrated that polyclonal antibodies against Pfs16 significantly reduced the number of oocysts in mosquito midguts. However, on the contrary, feeding rPfs16 increased the number of oocysts. Further analysis revealed that Pfs16 reduced the activity of mosquito midgut caspase 3/7, a key enzyme in the mosquito Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) immune pathway. We conclude that Pfs16 facilitates parasites to invade mosquito midguts by actively silencing the mosquito's innate immunity through its interaction with the midgut epithelial cells. Therefore, Pfs16 is a potential target to control malaria transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julian Ramelow
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Yacob Keleta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Guodong Niu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kim NY, Vishwanath D, Xi Z, Nagaraja O, Swamynayaka A, Kumar Harish K, Basappa S, Madegowda M, Pandey V, Sethi G, Lobie PE, Ahn KS, Basappa B. Discovery of Pyrimidine- and Coumarin-Linked Hybrid Molecules as Inducers of JNK Phosphorylation through ROS Generation in Breast Cancer Cells. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28083450. [PMID: 37110684 PMCID: PMC10142175 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28083450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer exhibits early relapses, poor prognoses, and high recurrence rates. Herein, a JNK-targeting compound has been developed that may be of utility in HER2-positive mammary carcinoma. The design of a pyrimidine-and coumarin-linked structure targeting JNK was explored and the lead structure PC-12 [4-(3-((2-((4-chlorobenzyl)thio) pyrimidin-4-yl)oxy)propoxy)-6-fluoro-2H-chromen-2-one (5d)] was observed to selectively inhibit the proliferation of HER2-positive BC cells. The compound PC-12 exerted DNA damage and induced apoptosis in HER-2 positive BC cells more significantly compared to HER-2 negative BC cells. PC-12 induced PARP cleavage and down-regulated the expression of IAP-1, BCL-2, SURVIVIN, and CYCLIN D1 in BC cells. In silico and theoretical calculations showed that PC-12 could interact with JNK, and in vitro studies demonstrated that it enhanced JNK phosphorylation through ROS generation. Overall, these findings will assist the discovery of new compounds targeting JNK for use in HER2-positive BC cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Na Young Kim
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 24 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Divakar Vishwanath
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Studies in Organic Chemistry, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore 570006, India
| | - Zhang Xi
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Omantheswara Nagaraja
- Department of Studies in Physics, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore 570006, India
| | - Ananda Swamynayaka
- Department of Studies in Physics, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore 570006, India
| | - Keshav Kumar Harish
- Department of Studies in Physics, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore 570006, India
| | - Shreeja Basappa
- Department of Chemistry, BITS-Pilani Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Medchal 500078, India
| | - Mahendra Madegowda
- Department of Studies in Physics, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore 570006, India
| | - Vijay Pandey
- Tsinghua Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
| | - Peter E Lobie
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Tsinghua Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Kwang Seok Ahn
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 24 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Basappa Basappa
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Studies in Organic Chemistry, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore 570006, India
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Niu XJ, Wang LJ, Meng H, Wang HF, Xu BH, Wang C. Role of c-Jun NH 2 -terminal kinase-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in response to pesticides in Apis cerana cerana. INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 30:47-64. [PMID: 35548935 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade pathway plays an important role in regulating stress responses. The function of the c-Jun NH2 -terminal kinase (JNK), a component of the MAPK cascade pathway, in Apis cerana cerana (Acc) remains unclear. Here, JNK was isolated and identified from Acc. Bioinformatics analyses revealed there is a typical serine/threonine protein kinase catalytic domain in the AccJNK protein. An expression profile analysis showed that AccJNK was significantly induced by pesticide treatments. To further explore the functional mechanisms of AccJNK, a yeast 2-hybrid screen was performed, activator protein-1 (AP-1) was screened as the interaction partner of AccJNK, and the interaction relationship was further verified by pull-down assay. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed the expression pattern of AccAP-1 was similar to that of AccJNK. After a knockdown of AccJNK or AccAP-1 by RNA interference, the survival rate of Acc after pesticide treatments increased. Additionally, the expression levels of antioxidant-related genes and the activities of antioxidant enzymes increased, suggesting that the knockdown of AccJNK or AccAP-1 increased the antioxidant capacity of bees. Our study revealed that the JNK-mediated MAPK pathway responds to pesticide stress by altering the antioxidant capacity of Acc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Jing Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, China
| | - Li-Jun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, China
| | - Hui Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, China
| | - Hong-Fang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, China
| | - Bao-Hua Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, China
| | - Chen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Talyuli OAC, Oliveira JHM, Bottino-Rojas V, Silveira GO, Alvarenga PH, Barletta ABF, Kantor AM, Paiva-Silva GO, Barillas-Mury C, Oliveira PL. The Aedes aegypti peritrophic matrix controls arbovirus vector competence through HPx1, a heme-induced peroxidase. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011149. [PMID: 36780872 PMCID: PMC9956595 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are the main vectors of arboviruses. The peritrophic matrix (PM) is an extracellular layer that surrounds the blood bolus. It acts as an immune barrier that prevents direct contact of bacteria with midgut epithelial cells during blood digestion. Here, we describe a heme-dependent peroxidase, hereafter referred to as heme peroxidase 1 (HPx1). HPx1 promotes PM assembly and antioxidant ability, modulating vector competence. Mechanistically, the heme presence in a blood meal induces HPx1 transcriptional activation mediated by the E75 transcription factor. HPx1 knockdown increases midgut reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by the DUOX NADPH oxidase. Elevated ROS levels reduce microbiota growth while enhancing epithelial mitosis, a response to tissue damage. However, simultaneous HPx1 and DUOX silencing was not able to rescue bacterial population growth, as explained by increased expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which occurred only after double knockdown. This result revealed hierarchical activation of ROS and AMPs to control microbiota. HPx1 knockdown produced a 100-fold decrease in Zika and dengue 2 midgut infection, demonstrating the essential role of the mosquito PM in the modulation of arbovirus vector competence. Our data show that the PM connects blood digestion to midgut immunological sensing of the microbiota and viral infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Octavio A. C. Talyuli
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jose Henrique M. Oliveira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Bottino-Rojas
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Departments of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Gilbert O. Silveira
- Laboratório de Expressão Genica em Eucariotos, Instituto Butantan and Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patricia H. Alvarenga
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Beatriz F. Barletta
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Asher M. Kantor
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Gabriela O. Paiva-Silva
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carolina Barillas-Mury
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Pedro L. Oliveira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zakhia R, Osta MA. CLIPA7 Exhibits Pleiotropic Roles in the Anopheles gambiae Immune Response. J Innate Immun 2022; 15:317-332. [PMID: 36423593 PMCID: PMC10643895 DOI: 10.1159/000526486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Clip domain serine proteases and clip domain serine protease homologs (cSPHs) are key components of serine protease cascades that drive the melanization response. Despite lacking catalytic activity, cSPHs play essential roles in regulating melanization, but the spectrum of functions they catalyze within and outside these cascades is not fully understood. Aside from their classical role as cofactors for PPO activation, we have previously revealed an unprecedented complexity in the function and molecular organization of these cSPHs in the immune response of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Here, we add yet another dimension to the complex roles underpinning the contributions of cSPHs to mosquito immunity by showing that CLIPA7, a member of the expanded cSPH family, defines a novel branch within the cSPH network that is essential for the melanization of Escherichia coli but not Plasmodium ookinetes or Gram-positive bacteria. Despite its dispensability for the melanization of Gram-positive bacteria, we show that CLIPA7 is required for the clearance of systemic infections with Staphylococcus aureus. CLIPA7 is produced by hemocytes and associates with the surfaces of live E. coli and S. aureus cells in vivo as well as with those of melanized cells. Based on its RNAi phenotypes and its unique domain architecture among A. gambiae cSPHs including the presence of an RGD motif, we propose that CLIPA7 exhibits pleiotropic roles in mosquito immunity that extend beyond the regulation of melanization to microbial clearance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mike A. Osta
- Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Srinivasan S, Ghosh C, Das S, Thakare A, Singh S, Ganesh A, Mahawar H, Jaisimha A, Krishna M, Chattopadhyay A, Borah R, Singh V, M S, Kumar N, Kumar S, Swain S, Subramani S. Identification of a TNF-TNFR-like system in malaria vectors (Anopheles stephensi) likely to influence Plasmodium resistance. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19079. [PMID: 36351999 PMCID: PMC9646898 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23780-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification of Plasmodium-resistance genes in malaria vectors remains an elusive goal despite the recent availability of high-quality genomes of several mosquito vectors. Anopheles stephensi, with its three distinctly-identifiable forms at the egg stage, correlating with varying vector competence, offers an ideal species to discover functional mosquito genes implicated in Plasmodium resistance. Recently, the genomes of several strains of An. stephensi of the type-form, known to display high vectorial capacity, were reported. Here, we report a chromosomal-level assembly of an intermediate-form of An. stephensi strain (IndInt), shown to have reduced vectorial capacity relative to a strain of type-form (IndCh). The contig level assembly with a L50 of 4 was scaffolded into chromosomes by using the genome of IndCh as the reference. The final assembly shows a heterozygous paracentric inversion, 3Li, involving 8 Mbp, which is syntenic to the extensively-studied 2La inversion implicated in Plasmodium resistance in An. gambiae involving 21 Mbp. Deep annotation of genes within the 3Li region in the IndInt assembly using the state-of-the-art protein-fold prediction and other annotation tools reveals the presence of a tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) like gene, which is the homolog of the Eiger gene in Drosophila. Subsequent chromosome-wide searches revealed homologs of Wengen (Wgn) and Grindelwald (Grnd) genes, which are known to be the receptors for Eiger in Drosophila. We have identified all the genes in IndInt required for Eiger-mediated signaling by analogy to the TNF-alpha system, suggesting the presence of a functionally-active Eiger signaling pathway in IndInt. Comparative genomics of the three type-forms with that of IndInt, reveals structurally disruptive mutations in Eiger gene in all three strains of the type-form, suggesting compromised innate immunity in the type-form as the likely cause of high vectorial capacity in these strains. This is the first report of the presence of a homolog of Eiger in malaria vectors, known to be involved in cell death in Drosophila, within an inversion region in IndInt syntenic to an inversion associated with Plasmodium resistance in An. gambiae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Subhashini Srinivasan
- grid.418831.70000 0004 0500 991XInstitute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Biotech Park, Electronic City Phase I, Bengaluru, 560100 India
| | - Chaitali Ghosh
- grid.508203.c0000 0004 9410 4854Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS), Center at inStem, Bellary Road, GKVK Campus, Bengaluru, 560065 India
| | - Shrestha Das
- grid.418831.70000 0004 0500 991XInstitute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Biotech Park, Electronic City Phase I, Bengaluru, 560100 India
| | - Aditi Thakare
- grid.418831.70000 0004 0500 991XInstitute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Biotech Park, Electronic City Phase I, Bengaluru, 560100 India
| | - Siddharth Singh
- grid.418831.70000 0004 0500 991XInstitute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Biotech Park, Electronic City Phase I, Bengaluru, 560100 India
| | - Apoorva Ganesh
- grid.418831.70000 0004 0500 991XInstitute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Biotech Park, Electronic City Phase I, Bengaluru, 560100 India
| | - Harsh Mahawar
- grid.418831.70000 0004 0500 991XInstitute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Biotech Park, Electronic City Phase I, Bengaluru, 560100 India
| | - Aadhya Jaisimha
- grid.418831.70000 0004 0500 991XInstitute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Biotech Park, Electronic City Phase I, Bengaluru, 560100 India
| | - Mohanapriya Krishna
- grid.418831.70000 0004 0500 991XInstitute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Biotech Park, Electronic City Phase I, Bengaluru, 560100 India
| | - Aritra Chattopadhyay
- grid.418831.70000 0004 0500 991XInstitute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Biotech Park, Electronic City Phase I, Bengaluru, 560100 India
| | - Rishima Borah
- grid.418831.70000 0004 0500 991XInstitute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Biotech Park, Electronic City Phase I, Bengaluru, 560100 India
| | - Vikrant Singh
- grid.418831.70000 0004 0500 991XInstitute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Biotech Park, Electronic City Phase I, Bengaluru, 560100 India
| | - Soumya M
- grid.508203.c0000 0004 9410 4854Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS), Center at inStem, Bellary Road, GKVK Campus, Bengaluru, 560065 India
| | - Naveen Kumar
- grid.508203.c0000 0004 9410 4854Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS), Center at inStem, Bellary Road, GKVK Campus, Bengaluru, 560065 India
| | - Sampath Kumar
- grid.508203.c0000 0004 9410 4854Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS), Center at inStem, Bellary Road, GKVK Campus, Bengaluru, 560065 India
| | - Sunita Swain
- grid.508203.c0000 0004 9410 4854Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS), Center at inStem, Bellary Road, GKVK Campus, Bengaluru, 560065 India
| | - Suresh Subramani
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242TIGS, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Inklaar MR, Barillas-Mury C, Jore MM. Deceiving and escaping complement - the evasive journey of the malaria parasite. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:962-974. [PMID: 36089499 PMCID: PMC9588674 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.08.013] [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: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
During its life cycle, Plasmodium, the malaria parasite, is exposed to the human and mosquito complement systems. Early experiments demonstrated that activation of complement can pose a serious threat to parasites, but recent studies revealed complement-evasion mechanisms important for parasite survival. Blood-stage parasites and gametes recruit regulators to neutralize human complement activation, while ookinetes inhibit mosquito complement by disrupting epithelial nitration in response to midgut invasion. Here we provide an in-depth overview of the evasion mechanisms currently known and speculate on the existence of others not yet identified. Finally, we discuss how these mechanisms could provide novel targets for urgently needed malaria vaccines and therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Carolina Barillas-Mury
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
| | - Matthijs M Jore
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Guo Y, Guo J, Li Y. Wolbachia wPip Blocks Zika Virus Transovarial Transmission in Aedes albopictus. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0263321. [PMID: 35894613 PMCID: PMC9603370 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02633-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Wolbachia is being developed as a biological tool to suppress mosquito populations and/or interfere with their transmitted viruses. Adult males with an artificial Wolbachia infection have been released, successfully yielding population suppression in multiple field trials. The main characteristic of the artificial Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes used in the suppression program is the lower vector competence than that in native infected/uninfected mosquitoes in horizontal and vertical transmission. Our previous studies have demonstrated that the Aedes albopictus HC line infected with a trio of Wolbachia strains exhibited almost complete blockade of dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) in horizontal and vertical transmission. However, the extent to which Wolbachia inhibits virus transovarial transmission is unknown since no studies have been performed to determine whether Wolbachia protects ovarian cells against viral infection. Here, we employed ovarian cells of the Ae. albopictus GUA (a wild-type mosquito line superinfected with two native Wolbachia strains, wAlbA and wAlbB), HC, and GT lines (tetracycline-cured, Wolbachia-uninfected mosquitoes), which exhibit key traits, and compared them to better understand how Wolbachia inhibits ZIKV transovarial transmission. Our results showed that the infection rate of adult GT progeny was significantly higher than that of GUA progeny during the first and second gonotrophic cycles. In contrast, the infection rates of adult GT and GUA progeny were not significantly different during the third gonotrophic cycle. All examined adult HC progeny from three gonotrophic cycles were negative for ZIKV infection. A strong negative linear correlation existed between Wolbachia density and ZIKV load in the ovaries of mosquitoes. Although there is no obvious coexistence area in the ovaries for Wolbachia and ZIKV, host immune responses may play a role in Wolbachia blocking ZIKV expansion and maintenance in the ovaries of Ae. albopictus. These results will aid in understanding Wolbachia-ZIKV interactions in mosquitoes. IMPORTANCE Area-wide application of Wolbachia to suppress mosquito populations and their transmitted viruses has achieved success in multiple countries. However, the mass release of Wolbachia-infected male mosquitoes involves a potential risk of accidentally releasing fertile females. In this study, we employed ovarian cells of the Ae. albopictus GUA, HC, and GT lines, which exhibit key traits, and compared them to better understand how Wolbachia inhibits ZIKV transovarial transmission. Our results showed an almost complete blockade of ZIKV transmission in HC female mosquitoes. Wolbachia in natively infected GUA mosquitoes negative affected ZIKV, and this interference was shown by slightly lower loads than those in HC mosquitoes. Overall, our work helps show how Wolbachia blocks ZIKV expansion and maintenance in the ovaries of Ae. albopictus and aids in understanding Wolbachia-ZIKV interactions in mosquitoes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Guo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of High Technology for Plant Protection, Plant Protection Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Science, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiatian Guo
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of the Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yifeng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of High Technology for Plant Protection, Plant Protection Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Science, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Cardoso-Jaime V, Tikhe CV, Dong S, Dimopoulos G. The Role of Mosquito Hemocytes in Viral Infections. Viruses 2022; 14:v14102088. [PMID: 36298644 PMCID: PMC9608948 DOI: 10.3390/v14102088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect hemocytes are the only immune cells that can mount a humoral and cellular immune response. Despite the critical involvement of hemocytes in immune responses against bacteria, fungi, and parasites in mosquitoes, our understanding of their antiviral potential is still limited. It has been shown that hemocytes express humoral factors such as TEP1, PPO, and certain antimicrobial peptides that are known to restrict viral infections. Insect hemocytes also harbor the major immune pathways, such as JAK/STAT, TOLL, IMD, and RNAi, which are critical for the control of viral infection. Recent research has indicated a role for hemocytes in the regulation of viral infection through RNA interference and autophagy; however, the specific mechanism by which this regulation occurs remains uncharacterized. Conversely, some studies have suggested that hemocytes act as agonists of arboviral infection because they lack basal lamina and circulate throughout the whole mosquito, likely facilitating viral dissemination to other tissues such as salivary glands. In addition, hemocytes produce arbovirus agonist factors such as lectins, which enhance viral infection. Here, we summarize our current understanding of hemocytes’ involvement in viral infections.
Collapse
|
16
|
Yan Y, Sigle LT, Rinker DC, Estévez-Lao TY, Capra JA, Hillyer JF. The immune deficiency and c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathways drive the functional integration of the immune and circulatory systems of mosquitoes. Open Biol 2022; 12:220111. [PMID: 36069078 PMCID: PMC9449813 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.220111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune and circulatory systems of animals are functionally integrated. In mammals, the spleen and lymph nodes filter and destroy microbes circulating in the blood and lymph, respectively. In insects, immune cells that surround the heart valves (ostia), called periostial haemocytes, destroy pathogens in the areas of the body that experience the swiftest haemolymph (blood) flow. An infection recruits additional periostial haemocytes, amplifying heart-associated immune responses. Although the structural mechanics of periostial haemocyte aggregation have been defined, the genetic factors that regulate this process remain less understood. Here, we conducted RNA sequencing in the African malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae, and discovered that an infection upregulates multiple components of the immune deficiency (IMD) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways in the heart with periostial haemocytes. This upregulation is greater in the heart with periostial haemocytes than in the circulating haemocytes or the entire abdomen. RNA interference-based knockdown then showed that the IMD and JNK pathways drive periostial haemocyte aggregation and alter phagocytosis and melanization on the heart, thereby demonstrating that these pathways regulate the functional integration between the immune and circulatory systems. Understanding how insects fight infection lays the foundation for novel strategies that could protect beneficial insects and harm detrimental ones.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Leah T. Sigle
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - David C. Rinker
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - John A. Capra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA,Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Julián F. Hillyer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Onyango SA, Ochwedo KO, Machani MG, Olumeh JO, Debrah I, Omondi CJ, Ogolla SO, Lee MC, Zhou G, Kokwaro E, Kazura JW, Afrane YA, Githeko AK, Zhong D, Yan G. Molecular characterization and genotype distribution of thioester-containing protein 1 gene in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes in western Kenya. Malar J 2022; 21:235. [PMID: 35948910 PMCID: PMC9364548 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04256-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evolutionary pressures lead to the selection of efficient malaria vectors either resistant or susceptible to Plasmodium parasites. These forces may favour the introduction of species genotypes that adapt to new breeding habitats, potentially having an impact on malaria transmission. Thioester-containing protein 1 (TEP1) of Anopheles gambiae complex plays an important role in innate immune defenses against parasites. This study aims to characterize the distribution pattern of TEP1 polymorphisms among populations of An. gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) in western Kenya. METHODS Anopheles gambiae adult and larvae were collected using pyrethrum spray catches (PSC) and plastic dippers respectively from Homa Bay, Kakamega, Bungoma, and Kisumu counties between 2017 and 2020. Collected adults and larvae reared to the adult stage were morphologically identified and then identified to sibling species by PCR. TEP1 alleles were determined in 627 anopheles mosquitoes using restriction fragment length polymorphisms-polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) and to validate the TEP1 genotyping results, a representative sample of the alleles was sequenced. RESULTS Two TEP1 alleles (TEP1*S1 and TEP1*R2) and three corresponding genotypes (*S1/S1, *R2/S1, and *R2/R2) were identified. TEP1*S1 and TEP1*R2 with their corresponding genotypes, homozygous *S1/S1 and heterozygous *R2/S1 were widely distributed across all sites with allele frequencies of approximately 80% and 20%, respectively both in Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles arabiensis. There was no significant difference detected among the populations and between the two mosquito species in TEP1 allele frequency and genotype frequency. The overall low levels in population structure (FST = 0.019) across all sites corresponded to an effective migration index (Nm = 12.571) and low Nei's genetic distance values (< 0.500) among the subpopulation. The comparative fixation index values revealed minimal genetic differentiation between species and high levels of gene flow among populations. CONCLUSION Genotyping TEP1 has identified two common TEP1 alleles (TEP1*S1 and TEP1*R2) and three corresponding genotypes (*S1/S1, *R2/S1, and *R2/R2) in An. gambiae s.l. The TEP1 allele genetic diversity and population structure are low in western Kenya.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shirley A Onyango
- Department of Zoological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya.,Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre of Excellence for Malaria Research, Homa bay, Kenya
| | - Kevin O Ochwedo
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre of Excellence for Malaria Research, Homa bay, Kenya.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Maxwell G Machani
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Julius O Olumeh
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre of Excellence for Malaria Research, Homa bay, Kenya
| | - Isaiah Debrah
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre of Excellence for Malaria Research, Homa bay, Kenya.,Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, West Africa Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogen, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Collince J Omondi
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre of Excellence for Malaria Research, Homa bay, Kenya.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Ming-Chieh Lee
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Guofa Zhou
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Elizabeth Kokwaro
- Department of Zoological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - James W Kazura
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, LC 4983, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Yaw A Afrane
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical School, University of Ghana, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Andrew K Githeko
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Daibin Zhong
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
| | - Guiyun Yan
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Molina-Cruz A, Barillas-Mury C. Pfs47 as a Malaria Transmission-Blocking Vaccine Target. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 107:tpmd211325. [PMID: 35895390 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-1325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs), pioneered by Richard Carter and others, aim to prevent parasite development in the mosquito vector and are a promising new tool for malaria elimination. Pfs47, recently identified as a TBV target, is a three-domain 6-cysteine protein on the surface of Plasmodium falciparum sexual stages. Pfs47 allows the parasite to evade mosquito immunity and is key for P. falciparum infection of the dominant malaria vectors Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles dirus, and Anopheles albimanus. Antibodies against Pfs47 domain 2 (D2) have significant transmission-blocking activity that prevents Plasmodium ookinete development and is independent of human complement. Strong transmission-blocking activity has been mapped to a region of 52 amino acids in Pfs47 D2. Efforts to optimize the immunogenicity of the Pfs47 D2 antigen with a viral-like particle have been successful, and the efficacy of a P47-based TBV was confirmed in vivo with Pbs47, the orthologue of Pfs47 in the mouse malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei. The current evidence warrants further development and clinical testing of a Pfs47-based TBV.
Collapse
|
19
|
Mulamba C, Williams C, Kreppel K, Ouedraogo JB, Olotu AI. Evaluation of the Pfs25-IMX313/Matrix-M malaria transmission-blocking candidate vaccine in endemic settings. Malar J 2022; 21:159. [PMID: 35655174 PMCID: PMC9161629 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04173-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria control relies heavily on the use of anti-malarial drugs and insecticides against malaria parasites and mosquito vectors. Drug and insecticide resistance threatens the effectiveness of conventional malarial interventions; alternative control approaches are, therefore, needed. The development of malaria transmission-blocking vaccines that target the sexual stages in humans or mosquito vectors is among new approaches being pursued. Here, the immunological mechanisms underlying malaria transmission blocking, status of Pfs25-based vaccines are viewed, as well as approaches and capacity for first in-human evaluation of a transmission-blocking candidate vaccine Pfs25-IMX313/Matrix-M administered to semi-immune healthy individuals in endemic settings. It is concluded that institutions in low and middle income settings should be supported to conduct first-in human vaccine trials in order to stimulate innovative research and reduce the overdependence on developed countries for research and local interventions against many diseases of public health importance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charles Mulamba
- Interventions & Clinical Trials Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania.,Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Tengeru, P. O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Chris Williams
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Katharina Kreppel
- Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Tengeru, P. O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania
| | | | - Ally I Olotu
- Interventions & Clinical Trials Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Ahmed S, Sajjadian SM, Kim Y. HMGB1-Like Dorsal Switch Protein 1 Triggers a Damage Signal in Mosquito Gut to Activate Dual Oxidase via Eicosanoids. J Innate Immun 2022; 14:657-672. [PMID: 35512659 PMCID: PMC9801255 DOI: 10.1159/000524561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Several mosquitoes transmit human pathogens by blood feeding, with the gut being the main entrance for the pathogens. Thus, the gut epithelium defends the pathogens by eliciting potent immune responses. However, it was unclear how the mosquito gut discriminates pathogens among various microflora in the lumen. This study proposed a hypothesis that a damage signal might be specifically induced by pathogens in the gut. The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, encodes dorsal switch protein 1 (Aa-DSP1) as a putative damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP). Aa-DSP1 was localized in the nucleus of the midgut epithelium in naïve larvae. Upon infection by a pathogenic bacterium, Serratia marcescens, Aa-DSP1 was released to hemocoel and activated phospholipase A2 (PLA2). The activated PLA2 increased the level of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the gut and subsequently increased Ca2+ signal to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) via dual oxidase (Duox). Inhibition of Aa-DSP1 via RNA interference or specific inhibitor treatment failed to increase PGE2/Ca2+ signal upon the bacterial infection. Thus, the inhibitors specifically targeting eicosanoid biosynthesis significantly prevented the upregulation of ROS production in the gut and enhanced mosquito mortality after the bacterial infection. However, such inhibitory effects were rescued by adding PGE2. These suggest that Aa-DSP1 plays an important role in immune response of the mosquito gut as a DAMP during pathogen infection by triggering a signaling pathway, DSP1/PLA2/Ca2+/Duox.
Collapse
|
21
|
Variation of TNF modulates cellular immunity of gregarious and solitary locusts against fungal pathogen Metarhizium anisopliae. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2120835119. [PMID: 35110413 PMCID: PMC8833202 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2120835119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecological immunology addresses the interactions between host immunity and the environment. Locusts display density-dependent phase transitions between solitary and gregarious locusts. In control practices and laboratory bioassays, gregarious locusts always exhibit stronger resistance to fungal pathogens than solitary locusts. However, few studies have investigated the mechanism of altered immune switch in locusts. Here, we combined mathematical simulation and experimental studies to show that gregarious locusts inhibit tumor necrosis factor (TNF) to alter immune defense by enhancing humoral defense and reducing cellular defense, and high levels of TNF reduce the survival of solitary locusts. Our study provides an important cue for understanding cellular immunity variations in response to different population densities and for improving the control efficacy of locust plagues. Changes in population density lead to phenotypic differentiation of solitary and gregarious locusts, which display different resistance to fungal pathogens; however, how to regulate their cellular immune strategies remains unknown. Here, our stochastic simulation of pathogen proliferation suggested that humoral defense always enhanced resistance to fungal pathogens, while phagocytosis sometimes reduced defense against pathogens. Further experimental data proved that gregarious locusts had significantly decreased phagocytosis of hemocytes compared to solitary locusts. Additionally, transcriptional analysis showed that gregarious locusts promoted immune effector expression (gnbp1 and dfp) and reduced phagocytic gene expression (eater) and the cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Interestingly, higher expression of the cytokine TNF in solitary locusts simultaneously promoted eater expression and inhibited gnbp1 and dfp expression. Moreover, inhibition of TNF increased the survival of solitary locusts, and injection of TNF decreased the survival of gregarious locusts after fungal infection. Therefore, our results indicate that the alerted expression of TNF regulated the immune strategy of locusts to adapt to environmental changes.
Collapse
|
22
|
Shaw WR, Marcenac P, Catteruccia F. Plasmodium development in Anopheles: a tale of shared resources. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:124-135. [PMID: 34548252 PMCID: PMC8758519 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Interactions between the Anopheles mosquito vector and Plasmodium parasites shape how malaria is transmitted in endemic regions. The long association of these two organisms has led to evolutionary processes that minimize fitness costs of infection and benefit both players through shared nutrient resources, parasite immune suppression, and mosquito tolerance to infection. In this review we explore recent data describing how Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite, associates with one of its most important natural mosquito hosts, Anopheles gambiae, and we discuss the implications of these findings for parasite transmission and vector control strategies currently in development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W Robert Shaw
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Perrine Marcenac
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Flaminia Catteruccia
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Alternative splicing landscape of small brown planthopper and different response of JNK2 isoforms to rice stripe virus infection. J Virol 2021; 96:e0171521. [PMID: 34757837 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01715-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is a frequent posttranscriptional regulatory event occurring in response to various endogenous and exogenous stimuli in most eukaryotic organisms. However, little is known about the effects of insect-transmitted viruses on AS events in insect vectors. The present study used third-generation sequencing technology and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) to evaluate the AS response in the small brown planthopper Laodelphax striatellus to rice stripe virus (RSV). The full-length transcriptome of L. striatellus was obtained using single-molecule real-time sequencing technology (SMRT). Posttranscriptional regulatory events, including AS, alternative polyadenylation, and fusion transcripts, were analyzed. A total of 28,175 nonredundant transcript isoforms included 24,950 transcripts assigned to 8,500 annotated genes of L. striatellus, and 5,000 of these genes (58.8%) had AS events. RNA-Seq of the gut samples of insects infected by RSV for 8 d identified 3,458 differentially expressed transcripts (DETs); 2,185 of these DETs were transcribed from 1,568 genes that had AS events, indicating that 31.4% of alternatively spliced genes responded to RSV infection of the gut. One of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) genes, JNK2, experienced exon skipping, resulting in three transcript isoforms. These three isoforms differentially responded to RSV infection during development and in various organs. Injection of double-stranded RNAs targeting all or two isoforms indicated that three or at least two JNK2 isoforms facilitated RSV accumulation in planthoppers. These results implied that AS events could participate in the regulation of complex relationships between viruses and insect vectors. Importance Alternative splicing (AS) is a regulatory mechanism that occurs after gene transcription. AS events can enrich protein diversity to promote the reactions of the organisms to various endogenous and exogenous stimulations. It is not known how insect vectors exploit AS events to cope with transmitted viruses. The present study used third-generation sequencing technology to obtain the profile of AS events in the small brown planthopper Laodelphax striatellus, which is an efficient vector for rice stripe virus (RSV). The results indicated that 31.4% of alternatively spliced genes responded to RSV infection in the gut of planthoppers. One of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) genes, JNK2, produced three transcript isoforms by AS. These three isoforms showed different responses to RSV infection, and at least two isoforms facilitated viral accumulation in planthoppers. These results implied that AS events could participate in the regulation of complex relationships between viruses and insect vectors.
Collapse
|
24
|
Jiang D, Wu S, Tan M, Jiang H, Yan S. The susceptibility of Lymantria dispar larvae to Beauveria bassiana under Cd stress: A multi-omics study. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 276:116740. [PMID: 33611203 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Insect susceptibility to entomopathogenic microorganisms under heavy metal stress, as well as its regulatory mechanism is still poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the susceptibility of gypsy moth larvae to Beauveria bassiana under cadmium (Cd) stress (at 3.248 or 44.473 mg Cd/kg fresh food), and reveal the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the Cd effect on the larval susceptibility to B. bassiana via combined transcriptome and proteome analyses. Our results showed that pre-exposure to Cd increased the susceptibility of gypsy moth larvae to B. bassiana, and there was an additive effect between Cd exposure and B. bassiana infection on the larval mortality. Under the Cd stress at low and high concentrations, 138 and 899 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), as well as 514 and 840 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified, respectively. Immunotoxic effects induced by Cd exposure at the transcription level increased in a negative dose-response manner, with no immunity-related DEGs obtained at the low Cd concentration and a high number of immunity-related DEGs down-regulated at the high Cd concentration. In contrast, a potentially suppressed or stimulated trend in the Toll and Imd signaling pathway at protein level was revealed under low or high concentration of Cd treatment. Analysis of xenobiotics biodegradation-related pathways at both transcription and translation levels revealed that the gypsy moth larvae possessed an efficient homeostasis regulatory mechanism to the low-level Cd exposure, but exhibited a reduced xenobiotics biodegradation capability to the Cd stress at high levels. Together, these findings demonstrate Cd contamination promote the microbial-based biocontrol efficacy, and unravel the molecular regulatory network of heavy metal exposures that affects susceptibility of insects to pathogenic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dun Jiang
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, PR China
| | - Shuai Wu
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, PR China
| | - Mingtao Tan
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, PR China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Institute of Agricultural and Poultry Products Comprehensive Utilization, Heilongjiang Academy of Land Reclamation Sciences, Harbin, 150040, PR China
| | - Shanchun Yan
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
JNK signaling as a target for anticancer therapy. Pharmacol Rep 2021; 73:405-434. [PMID: 33710509 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-021-00238-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The JNKs are members of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) which regulate many physiological processes including inflammatory responses, macrophages, cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, and death. It is increasingly clear that the continuous activation of JNKs has a role in cancer development and progression. Therefore, JNKs represent attractive oncogenic targets for cancer therapy using small molecule kinase inhibitors. Studies showed that the two major JNK proteins JNK1 and JNK2 have opposite functions in different types of cancers, which need more specification in the design of JNK inhibitors. Some of ATP- competitive and ATP non-competitive inhibitors have been developed and widely used in vitro, but this type of inhibitors lack selectivity and inhibits phosphorylation of all JNK substrates and may lead to cellular toxicity. In this review, we summarized and discussed the strategies of JNK binding inhibitors and the role of JNK signaling in the pathogenesis of different solid and hematological malignancies.
Collapse
|
26
|
Kumari S, Chauhan C, Tevatiya S, Singla D, De TD, Sharma P, Thomas T, Rani J, Savargaonkar D, Pandey KC, Pande V, Dixit R. Genetic changes of Plasmodium vivax tempers host tissue-specific responses in Anopheles stephensi. CURRENT RESEARCH IN IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 2:12-22. [PMID: 35492403 PMCID: PMC9040150 DOI: 10.1016/j.crimmu.2021.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, we showed how an early restriction of gut flora proliferation by Plasmodium vivax favors immune-suppression and Plasmodium survival in the gut lumen (Sharma et al., 2020). Here, we asked post gut invasion how P. vivax interacts with individual tissues such as the midgut, hemocyte, and salivary glands, and manages its survival in the mosquito host. Our data from tissue-specific comparative RNA-Seq analysis and extensive temporal/spatial expression profiling of selected mosquito transcripts in the uninfected and P. vivax infected mosquito’s tissues indicated that (i) a transient suppression of gut metabolic machinery by early oocysts; (ii) enriched expression of nutritional responsive proteins and immune proteins against late oocysts, together may ensure optimal parasite development and gut homeostasis restoration; (iii) pre-immune activation of hemocyte by early gut-oocysts infection via REL induction (p < 0.003); and altered expression of hemocyte-encoded immune proteins may cause rapid removal of free circulating sporozoites from hemolymph; (iv) while a strong suppression of salivary metabolic activities, and elevated expression of salivary specific secretory, as well as immune proteins together, may favor the long-term storage and survival of invaded sporozoites. Finally, our RNA-Seq-based discovery of 4449 transcripts of Plasmodium vivax origin, and their developmental stage-specific expression modulation in the corresponding infected mosquito tissues, predicts a possible mechanism of mosquito responses evasion by P. vivax. Conclusively, our system-wide RNA-Seq analysis provides the first genetic evidence of direct mosquito-Plasmodium interaction and establishes a functional correlation. System-wide RNASeq analysis discloses direct mosquito-Plasmodium vivax interaction and establishes a functional correlation. Discovery of 4449 transcripts specific to P. vivax developmental stages sheds light on possible immune evasion mechanisms. Upregulation of nutritional related transcripts ensures optimal late oocyst development and midgut homeostasis. Hemocyte activation by early oocysts ensure removal of free circulatory sporozoites by proliferating immune transcripts. Heightened levels of salivary immune transcripts show that an active local immune response restricts salivary invaded sporozoite
Collapse
|
27
|
Kumari S, Chauhan C, Tevatiya S, Singla D, De TD, Sharma P, Thomas T, Rani J, Savargaonkar D, Pandey KC, Pande V, Dixit R. Genetic changes of Plasmodium vivax tempers host tissue-specific responses in Anopheles stephensi. CURRENT RESEARCH IN IMMUNOLOGY 2021. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.1016/j.crimmu.2021.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
|
28
|
Kumari S, Chauhan C, Tevatiya S, Singla D, De TD, Sharma P, Thomas T, Rani J, Savargaonkar D, Pandey KC, Pande V, Dixit R. Genetic changes of Plasmodium vivax tempers host tissue-specific responses in Anopheles stephensi. CURRENT RESEARCH IN IMMUNOLOGY 2021. [DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crimmu.2021.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
|
29
|
Plasmodium's journey through the Anopheles mosquito: A comprehensive review. Biochimie 2020; 181:176-190. [PMID: 33346039 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2020.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The malaria parasite has an extraordinary ability to evade the immune system due to which the development of a malaria vaccine is a challenging task. Extensive research on malarial infection in the human host particularly during the liver stage has resulted in the discovery of potential candidate vaccines including RTS,S/AS01 and R21. However, complete elimination of malaria would require a holistic multi-component approach. In line with this, under the World Health Organization's PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), the research focus has shifted towards the sexual stages of malaria in the mosquito host. Last two decades of scientific research obtained seminal information regarding the sexual/mosquito stages of the malaria. This updated and comprehensive review would provide the basis for consolidated understanding of cellular, biochemical, molecular and immunological aspects of parasite transmission right from the sexual stage commitment in the human host to the sporozoite delivery back into subsequent vertebrate host by the female Anopheles mosquito.
Collapse
|
30
|
Hajkazemian M, Bossé C, Mozūraitis R, Emami SN. Battleground midgut: The cost to the mosquito for hosting the malaria parasite. Biol Cell 2020; 113:79-94. [PMID: 33125724 DOI: 10.1111/boc.202000039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In eco-evolutionary studies of parasite-host interactions, virulence is defined as a reduction in host fitness as a result of infection relative to an uninfected host. Pathogen virulence may either promote parasite transmission, when correlated with higher parasite replication rate, or decrease the transmission rate if the pathogen quickly kills the host. This evolutionary mechanism, referred to as 'trade-off' theory, proposes that pathogen virulence evolves towards a level that most benefits the transmission. It has been generally predicted that pathogens evolve towards low virulence in their insect vectors, mainly due to the high dependence of parasite transmission on their vector survival. Therefore, the degree of virulence which malaria parasites impose on mosquito vectors may depend on several external and internal factors. Here, we review briefly (i) the role of mosquito in parasite development, with a particular focus on mosquito midgut as the battleground between Plasmodium and the mosquito host. We aim to point out (ii) the histology of the mosquito midgut epithelium and its role in host defence against parasite's countermeasures in the three main battle sites, namely (a) the lumen (microbiota and biochemical environment), (b) the peritrophic membrane (physical barrier) and (c) the tubular epithelium including the basal membrane (physical and biochemical barrier). Lastly, (iii) we describe the impact which malaria parasite and its virulence factors have on mosquito fitness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melika Hajkazemian
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Clément Bossé
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,François Rabelais University, Tours, France
| | - Raimondas Mozūraitis
- Laboratory of Chemical and Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Vilnius, Lithuania.,Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - S Noushin Emami
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Molecular Attraction AB, Hägersten, Stockholm, Sweden.,Natural Resources Institute, FES, University of Greenwich, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Kakani P, Gupta L, Kumar S. Heme-Peroxidase 2, a Peroxinectin-Like Gene, Regulates Bacterial Homeostasis in Anopheles stephensi Midgut. Front Physiol 2020; 11:572340. [PMID: 33013485 PMCID: PMC7506126 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.572340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The dynamic nature of mosquito gut microbiome is associated with different stages of development and feeding behaviors. Therefore, mosquito gut harbors a wide range of endogenous microbes that promote numerous life processes such as, nutrition, reproduction and immunity. In addition, gut microbiota also play an important role in the regulation of Plasmodium (malaria parasite) development. Thus, understanding the mechanism of microbial homeostasis in mosquito gut might be one of the strategies to manipulate malaria parasite development. In the present study, we characterized a 692 amino acids long secreted midgut heme-peroxidase 2 (AsHPX2) in Anopheles stephensi, the major Indian malaria vector. The presence of putative integrin binding motifs, LDV (Leu-Asp-Val), indicated its peroxinectin-like nature. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed that AsHPX2 is a Culicinae lineage-specific gene. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated silencing of AsHPX2 gene significantly enhanced the growth of midgut bacteria in sugar-fed mosquitoes against sham-treated controls. Interestingly, blood-feeding drastically reduced AsHPX2 gene expression and enhanced the growth of midgut bacteria. These results revealed a negative correlation between the expression of AsHPX2 gene and gut bacterial growth. We proposed that AsHPX2, being a mosquito-specific gene, might serve as a "potent target" to manipulate midgut microbiota and vector competence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Parik Kakani
- Molecular Parasitology and Vector Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, India.,Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal, India
| | - Lalita Gupta
- Molecular Parasitology and Vector Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, India.,Department of Zoology, Chaudhary Bansi Lal University, Bhiwani, India
| | - Sanjeev Kumar
- Molecular Parasitology and Vector Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, India.,Department of Biotechnology, Chaudhary Bansi Lal University, Bhiwani, India
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Peirce MJ, Mitchell SN, Kakani EG, Scarpelli P, South A, Shaw WR, Werling KL, Gabrieli P, Marcenac P, Bordoni M, Talesa V, Catteruccia F. JNK signaling regulates oviposition in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14344. [PMID: 32873857 PMCID: PMC7462981 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71291-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The reproductive fitness of the Anopheles gambiae mosquito represents a promising target to prevent malaria transmission. The ecdysteroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), transferred from male to female during copulation, is key to An. gambiae reproductive success as it licenses females to oviposit eggs developed after blood feeding. Here we show that 20E-triggered oviposition in these mosquitoes is regulated by the stress- and immune-responsive c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). The heads of mated females exhibit a transcriptional signature reminiscent of a JNK-dependent wounding response, while mating—or injection of virgins with exogenous 20E—selectively activates JNK in the same tissue. RNAi-mediated depletion of JNK pathway components inhibits oviposition in mated females, whereas JNK activation by silencing the JNK phosphatase puckered induces egg laying in virgins. Together, these data identify JNK as a potential conduit linking stress responses and reproductive success in the most important vector of malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Peirce
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università Degli Studi di Perugia, Sant' Andrea Delle Fratte, Piano 4, Edificio D, Piazzale Gambuli 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Sara N Mitchell
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, Room 103, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Verily Life Sciences, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Evdoxia G Kakani
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, Room 103, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Verily Life Sciences, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Paolo Scarpelli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università Degli Studi di Perugia, Sant' Andrea Delle Fratte, Piano 4, Edificio D, Piazzale Gambuli 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Adam South
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, Room 103, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - W Robert Shaw
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, Room 103, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Kristine L Werling
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, Room 103, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Paolo Gabrieli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università Degli Studi di Perugia, Sant' Andrea Delle Fratte, Piano 4, Edificio D, Piazzale Gambuli 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy.,Dipartimento Bioscienze, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Perrine Marcenac
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, Room 103, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Martina Bordoni
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università Degli Studi di Perugia, Sant' Andrea Delle Fratte, Piano 4, Edificio D, Piazzale Gambuli 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Talesa
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università Degli Studi di Perugia, Sant' Andrea Delle Fratte, Piano 4, Edificio D, Piazzale Gambuli 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Flaminia Catteruccia
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, Room 103, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Chowdhury A, Modahl CM, Tan ST, Wong Wei Xiang B, Missé D, Vial T, Kini RM, Pompon JF. JNK pathway restricts DENV2, ZIKV and CHIKV infection by activating complement and apoptosis in mosquito salivary glands. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008754. [PMID: 32776975 PMCID: PMC7444518 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Arbovirus infection of Aedes aegypti salivary glands (SGs) determines transmission. However, there is a dearth of knowledge on SG immunity. Here, we characterized SG immune response to dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses using high-throughput transcriptomics. We also describe a transcriptomic response associated to apoptosis, blood-feeding and lipid metabolism. The three viruses differentially regulate components of Toll, Immune deficiency (IMD) and c-Jun N- terminal Kinase (JNK) pathways. However, silencing of the Toll and IMD pathway components showed variable effects on SG infection by each virus. In contrast, regulation of the JNK pathway produced consistent responses in both SGs and midgut. Infection by the three viruses increased with depletion of the activator Kayak and decreased with depletion of the negative regulator Puckered. Virus-induced JNK pathway regulates the complement factor, Thioester containing protein-20 (TEP20), and the apoptosis activator, Dronc, in SGs. Individual and co-silencing of these genes demonstrate their antiviral effects and that both may function together. Co-silencing either TEP20 or Dronc with Puckered annihilates JNK pathway antiviral effect. Upon infection in SGs, TEP20 induces antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), while Dronc is required for apoptosis independently of TEP20. In conclusion, we revealed the broad antiviral function of JNK pathway in SGs and showed that it is mediated by a TEP20 complement and Dronc-induced apoptosis response. These results expand our understanding of the immune arsenal that blocks arbovirus transmission. Arboviral diseases caused by dengue (DENV), Zika (ZIKV) and chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses are responsible for large number of death and debilitation around the world. These viruses are transmitted to humans by the mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti. During the bites, infected salivary glands (SGs) release saliva containing viruses, which initiate human infection. As the tissue where transmitted viruses are produced, SG infection is a key determinant of transmission. To bridge the knowledge gap in vector-virus molecular interactions in SGs, we describe the transcriptome after DENV, ZIKV and CHIKV infection using RNA-sequencing and characterized the immune response in this tissue. Our study reveals the broad antiviral function of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway against DENV, ZIKV and CHIKV in SGs. We further show that it is mediated by the complement system and apoptosis, identifying the mechanism. Our study adds the JNK pathway to the immune arsenal that can be harnessed to engineer refractory vectors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Avisha Chowdhury
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Cassandra M. Modahl
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Siok Thing Tan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Dorothée Missé
- MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, Univ. Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Thomas Vial
- Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - R. Manjunatha Kini
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- * E-mail: (RMK); (JFP)
| | - Julien Francis Pompon
- Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, Univ. Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- * E-mail: (RMK); (JFP)
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Nateghi Rostami M. CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive technology to control transmission of vector‐borne parasitic infections. Parasite Immunol 2020; 42:e12762. [DOI: 10.1111/pim.12762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Nateghi Rostami
- Laboratory of Biology of Host‐Parasite Interactions Department of Parasitology Pasteur Institute of Iran Tehran Iran
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Ma L, Liu L, Zhao Y, Yang L, Chen C, Li Z, Lu Z. JNK pathway plays a key role in the immune system of the pea aphid and is regulated by microRNA-184. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008627. [PMID: 32584915 PMCID: PMC7343183 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Different from holometabolous insects, the hemipteran species such as pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum exhibit reduced immune responses with the absence of the genes coding for antimicrobial peptide (AMP), immune deficiency (IMD), peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs), and other immune-related molecules. Prior studies have proved that phenoloxidase (PO)-mediated melanization, hemocyte-mediated phagocytosis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) participate in pea aphid defense against bacterial infection. Also, the conserved signaling, Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway, has been suggested to be involved in pea aphid immune defense. However, the precise role of the JNK signaling, its interplay with other immune responses and its regulation in pea aphid are largely unknown. In this study, using in vitro biochemical assays and in vivo bioassays, we demonstrated that the JNK pathway regulated hemolymph PO activity, hydrogen peroxide concentration and hemocyte phagocytosis in bacteria infected pea aphids, suggesting that the JNK pathway plays a central role in regulating immune responses in pea aphid. We further revealed the JNK pathway is regulated by microRNA-184 in response to bacterial infection. It is possible that in common the JNK pathway plays a key role in immune system of hemipteran insects and microRNA-184 regulates the JNK pathway in animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Ma
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yujie Zhao
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Caihua Chen
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhaofei Li
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhiqiang Lu
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Ruiz JL, Gómez-Díaz E. The second life of Plasmodium in the mosquito host: gene regulation on the move. Brief Funct Genomics 2020; 18:313-357. [PMID: 31058281 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elz007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites face dynamically changing environments and strong selective constraints within human and mosquito hosts. To survive such hostile and shifting conditions, Plasmodium switches transcriptional programs during development and has evolved mechanisms to adjust its phenotype through heterogeneous patterns of gene expression. In vitro studies on culture-adapted isolates have served to set the link between chromatin structure and functional gene expression. Yet, experimental evidence is limited to certain stages of the parasite in the vertebrate, i.e. blood, while the precise mechanisms underlying the dynamic regulatory landscapes during development and in the adaptation to within-host conditions remain poorly understood. In this review, we discuss available data on transcriptional and epigenetic regulation in Plasmodium mosquito stages in the context of sporogonic development and phenotypic variation, including both bet-hedging and environmentally triggered direct transcriptional responses. With this, we advocate the mosquito offers an in vivo biological model to investigate the regulatory networks, transcription factors and chromatin-modifying enzymes and their modes of interaction with regulatory sequences, which might be responsible for the plasticity of the Plasmodium genome that dictates stage- and cell type-specific blueprints of gene expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José L Ruiz
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra (IPBLN), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Elena Gómez-Díaz
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra (IPBLN), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
PIMMS43 is required for malaria parasite immune evasion and sporogonic development in the mosquito vector. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:7363-7373. [PMID: 32165544 PMCID: PMC7132314 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1919709117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is transmitted among humans through mosquito bites. Here, we characterize a protein found on the surface of mosquito stages of malaria parasites and reveal that it serves to evade the mosquito immune system and ensure disease transmission. Neutralization of PIMMS43 (Plasmodium Infection of the Mosquito Midgut Screen 43), either by eliminating it from the parasite genome or by preincubating parasites with antibodies that bind to the PIMMS43 protein, inhibits mosquito infection with malaria parasites. Differences in PIMMS43 detected between African malaria parasite populations suggest that these populations have adapted for transmission by different mosquito vectors that are also differentially distributed across the continent. We conclude that targeting PIMMS43 can block malaria parasites inside mosquitoes before they can infect humans. After being ingested by a female Anopheles mosquito during a bloodmeal on an infected host, and before they can reach the mosquito salivary glands to be transmitted to a new host, Plasmodium parasites must establish an infection of the mosquito midgut in the form of oocysts. To achieve this, they must first survive a series of robust innate immune responses that take place prior to, during, and immediately after ookinete traversal of the midgut epithelium. Understanding how parasites may evade these responses could highlight new ways to block malaria transmission. We show that an ookinete and sporozoite surface protein designated as PIMMS43 (Plasmodium Infection of the Mosquito Midgut Screen 43) is required for parasite evasion of the Anopheles coluzzii complement-like response. Disruption of PIMMS43 in the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei triggers robust complement activation and ookinete elimination upon mosquito midgut traversal. Silencing components of the complement-like system through RNAi largely restores ookinete-to-oocyst transition but oocysts remain small in size and produce a very small number of sporozoites that additionally are not infectious, indicating that PIMMS43 is also essential for sporogonic development in the oocyst. Antibodies that bind PIMMS43 interfere with parasite immune evasion when ingested with the infectious blood meal and significantly reduce the prevalence and intensity of infection. PIMMS43 genetic structure across African Plasmodium falciparum populations indicates allelic adaptation to sympatric vector populations. These data add to our understanding of mosquito–parasite interactions and identify PIMMS43 as a target of malaria transmission blocking.
Collapse
|
38
|
Molina-Cruz A, Canepa GE, Alves E Silva TL, Williams AE, Nagyal S, Yenkoidiok-Douti L, Nagata BM, Calvo E, Andersen J, Boulanger MJ, Barillas-Mury C. Plasmodium falciparum evades immunity of anopheline mosquitoes by interacting with a Pfs47 midgut receptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:2597-2605. [PMID: 31969456 PMCID: PMC7007573 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1917042117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The surface protein Pfs47 allows Plasmodium falciparum parasites to survive and be transmitted by making them "undetectable" to the mosquito immune system. P. falciparum parasites express Pfs47 haplotypes compatible with their sympatric vectors, while those with incompatible haplotypes are eliminated by the mosquito. We proposed that Pfs47 serves as a "key" that mediates immune evasion by interacting with a mosquito receptor "the lock," which differs in evolutionarily divergent anopheline mosquitoes. Recombinant Pfs47 (rPfs47) was used to identify the mosquito Pfs47 receptor protein (P47Rec) using far-Western analysis. rPfs47 bound to a single 31-kDa band and the identity of this protein was determined by mass spectrometry. The mosquito P47Rec has two natterin-like domains and binds to Pfs47 with high affinity (17 to 32 nM). P47Rec is a highly conserved protein with submicrovillar localization in midgut cells. It has structural homology to a cytoskeleton-interacting protein and accumulates at the site of ookinete invasion. Silencing P47Rec expression reduced P. falciparum infection, indicating that the interaction of Pfs47 with the receptor is critical for parasite survival. The binding specificity of P47Rec from distant anophelines (Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles dirus, and Anopheles albimanus) with Pfs47-Africa (GB4) and Pfs47-South America (7G8) haplotypes was evaluated, and it is in agreement with the previously documented compatibility between P. falciparum parasites expressing different Pfs47 haplotypes and these three anopheline species. Our findings give further support to the role of Pfs47 in the adaptation of P. falciparum to different vectors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Molina-Cruz
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852;
| | - Gaspar E Canepa
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852
| | - Thiago Luiz Alves E Silva
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852
| | - Adeline E Williams
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852
| | - Simardeep Nagyal
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852
| | - Lampouguin Yenkoidiok-Douti
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852
| | - Bianca M Nagata
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852
| | - Eric Calvo
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852
| | - John Andersen
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852
| | - Martin J Boulanger
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Carolina Barillas-Mury
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852;
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
El Moussawi L, Nakhleh J, Kamareddine L, Osta MA. The mosquito melanization response requires hierarchical activation of non-catalytic clip domain serine protease homologs. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1008194. [PMID: 31765430 PMCID: PMC6901238 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Serine protease cascades regulate important insect immune responses namely melanization and Toll pathway activation. An important component of these cascades are clip-domain serine protease homologs (cSPHs), which are non-catalytic, but essential for activating the enzyme prophenoloxidase (PPO) in the melanization response during septic infections. The activation of cSPHs requires their proteolytic cleavage, yet factors that control their activation and the complexity of their interactions within these cascades remain unclear. Here, we report the identification of CLIPA28 as a novel immune-related cSPH in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Functional genetic analysis using RNA interference (RNAi) revealed that CLIPA28 is essential for the melanization of Plasmodium berghei parasites in refractory mosquitoes, and for mosquito resistance to fungal infections. We further show, using combined biochemical and genetic approaches, that CLIPA28 is member of a network of at least four cSPHs, whereby members are activated in a hierarchical manner following septic infections. Depletion of the complement-like protein TEP1 abolished the activation of this network after septic infections, whereas, depletion of the serine protease inhibitor 2 (SRPN2) triggered enhanced network activation, even in naïve mosquitoes, culminating in a dramatic reduction in cSPHs hemolymph levels, which paralleled that of PPO. Our data suggest that cSPHs are engaged in complex and multilayered interactions within serine protease cascades that regulate melanization, and identify TEP1 and SRPN2 as two master regulators of the cSPH network. Melanization is a spectacular immune response of insects that culminates in the deposition of melanin on microbial surfaces leading to their death. Despite more than half a century of investigation of this immune reaction in several insect models, important knowledge gaps, specifically concerning the regulation of this response, remain, especially that its output is tightly regulated by complex genetic and biochemical interactions between members of structurally diverse immune gene families. Here, we identify a new hemolymph protein that is involved in the melanization of malaria parasites and show that it forms, together with other proteins of the same gene family, a network, whereby members are activated in an orderly manner during mosquito septic infections. Furthemore, we show that this network is controlled by two structurally distinct immune proteins which act as master regulators of its activation. Dissecting the complexity of the regulatory mechanisms mediating insect melanization responses, may facilitate fine manipulation of mosquito immunity to reduce vectorial capacity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Layla El Moussawi
- Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Johnny Nakhleh
- Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Mike A. Osta
- Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Santana RAG, Oliveira MC, Cabral I, Junior RCAS, de Sousa DRT, Ferreira L, Lacerda MVG, Monteiro WM, Abrantes P, Guerra MDGVB, Silveira H. Anopheles aquasalis transcriptome reveals autophagic responses to Plasmodium vivax midgut invasion. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:261. [PMID: 31126324 PMCID: PMC6534896 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3506-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Elimination of malaria depends on mastering transmission and understanding the biological basis of Plasmodium infection in the vector. The first mosquito organ to interact with the parasite is the midgut and its transcriptomic characterization during infection can reveal effective antiplasmodial responses able to limit the survival of the parasite. The vector response to Plasmodium vivax is not fully characterized, and its specificities when compared with other malaria parasites can be of fundamental interest for specific control measures. Methods Experimental infections were performed using a membrane-feeding device. Three groups were used: P. vivax-blood-fed, blood-fed on inactivated gametocytes, and unfed mosquitoes. Twenty-four hours after feeding, the mosquitoes were dissected and the midgut collected for transcriptomic analysis using RNAseq. Nine cDNA libraries were generated and sequenced on an Illumina HiSeq2500. Readings were checked for quality control and analysed using the Trinity platform for de novo transcriptome assembly. Transcript quantification was performed and the transcriptome was functionally annotated. Differential expression gene analysis was carried out. The role of the identified mechanisms was further explored using functional approaches. Results Forty-nine genes were identified as being differentially expressed with P. vivax infection: 34 were upregulated and 15 were downregulated. Half of the P. vivax-related differentially expressed genes could be related to autophagy; therefore, the effect of the known inhibitor (wortmannin) and activator (spermidine) was tested on the infection outcome. Autophagic activation significantly reduced the intensity and prevalence of infection. This was associated with transcription alterations of the autophagy regulating genes Beclin, DRAM and Apg8. Conclusions Our data indicate that P. vivax invasion of An. aquasalis midgut epithelium triggers an autophagic response and its activation reduces infection. This suggests a novel mechanism that mosquitoes can use to fight Plasmodium infection. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-019-3506-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Amélia Gonçalves Santana
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Maurício Costa Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Iria Cabral
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Rubens Celso Andrade Silva Junior
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Débora Raysa Teixeira de Sousa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Lucas Ferreira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Marcus Vinícius Guimarães Lacerda
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil.,Instituto Leônidas & Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Wuelton Marcelo Monteiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Abrantes
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria das Graças Vale Barbosa Guerra
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Henrique Silveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas/Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil. .,Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Gouignard N, Cherrier F, Brito-Fravallo E, Pain A, Zmarlak NM, Cailliau K, Genève C, Vernick KD, Dissous C, Mitri C. Dual role of the Anopheles coluzzii Venus Kinase Receptor in both larval growth and immunity. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3615. [PMID: 30837655 PMCID: PMC6401105 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40407-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases and especially malaria are responsible for more than half million deaths annually. The increase of insecticide resistance in wild populations of Anopheles malaria vectors emphasises the need for novel vector control strategies as well as for identifying novel vector targets. Venus kinase receptors (VKRs) constitute a Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (RTK) family only found in invertebrates. In this study we functionally characterized Anopheles VKR in the Gambiae complex member, Anophelescoluzzii. Results showed that Anopheles VKR can be activated by L-amino acids, with L-arginine as the most potent agonist. VKR was not required for the fecundity of A. coluzzii, in contrast to reports from other insects, but VKR function is required in both Anopheles males and females for development of larval progeny. Anopheles VKR function is also required for protection against infection by Plasmodium parasites, thus identifying a novel linkage between reproduction and immunity in Anopheles. The insect specificity of VKRs as well as the essential function for reproduction and immunity suggest that Anopheles VKR could be a potentially druggable target for novel vector control strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadège Gouignard
- CIIL- Institut Biologie de Lille, Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, Institut Pasteur Lille, Lille, France.,Department of Basic Science & Craniofacial Biology, New York University, College of Dentistry, New York, USA
| | - Floriane Cherrier
- Genetics and Genomics of Insect Vectors Unit, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR2000, Paris, France.,Oncogenesis of Lymphoma unit, INSERM U1053 - BaRITOn, Bordeaux, France
| | - Emma Brito-Fravallo
- Genetics and Genomics of Insect Vectors Unit, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR2000, Paris, France
| | - Adrien Pain
- Genetics and Genomics of Insect Vectors Unit, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR2000, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur - Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub - C3BI, USR, 3756 IP CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Natalia Marta Zmarlak
- Genetics and Genomics of Insect Vectors Unit, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR2000, Paris, France
| | - Katia Cailliau
- Team "Signal Division Regulation", CNRS UMR 8576, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Corinne Genève
- Genetics and Genomics of Insect Vectors Unit, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR2000, Paris, France
| | - Kenneth D Vernick
- Genetics and Genomics of Insect Vectors Unit, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR2000, Paris, France
| | - Colette Dissous
- CIIL- Institut Biologie de Lille, Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, Institut Pasteur Lille, Lille, France.
| | - Christian Mitri
- Genetics and Genomics of Insect Vectors Unit, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France. .,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR2000, Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Kengne-Ouafo JA, Sutherland CJ, Binka FN, Awandare GA, Urban BC, Dinko B. Immune Responses to the Sexual Stages of Plasmodium falciparum Parasites. Front Immunol 2019; 10:136. [PMID: 30804940 PMCID: PMC6378314 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria infections remain a serious global health problem in the world, particularly among children and pregnant women in Sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, malaria control and elimination is hampered by rapid development of resistance by the parasite and the vector to commonly used antimalarial drugs and insecticides, respectively. Therefore, vaccine-based strategies are sorely needed, including those designed to interrupt disease transmission. However, a prerequisite for such a vaccine strategy is the understanding of both the human and vector immune responses to parasite developmental stages involved in parasite transmission in both man and mosquito. Here, we review the naturally acquired humoral and cellular responses to sexual stages of the parasite while in the human host and the Anopheles vector. In addition, updates on current anti-gametocyte, anti-gamete, and anti-mosquito transmission blocking vaccines are given. We conclude with our views on some important future directions of research into P. falciparum sexual stage immunity relevant to the search for the most appropriate transmission-blocking vaccine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas A Kengne-Ouafo
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Colin J Sutherland
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fred N Binka
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Gordon A Awandare
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Britta C Urban
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Bismarck Dinko
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Souvannaseng L, Hun LV, Baker H, Klyver JM, Wang B, Pakpour N, Bridgewater JM, Napoli E, Giulivi C, Riehle MA, Luckhart S. Inhibition of JNK signaling in the Asian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi extends mosquito longevity and improves resistance to Plasmodium falciparum infection. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007418. [PMID: 30496310 PMCID: PMC6264519 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a global health concern caused by infection with Plasmodium parasites. With rising insecticide and drug resistance, there is a critical need to develop novel control strategies, including strategies to block parasite sporogony in key mosquito vector species. MAPK signaling pathways regulated by extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) and the stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs) c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) and p38 MAPKs are highly conserved across eukaryotes, including mosquito vectors of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Some of these pathways in mosquitoes have been investigated in detail, but the mechanisms of integration of parasite development and mosquito fitness by JNK signaling have not been elucidated. To this end, we engineered midgut-specific overexpression of MAPK phosphatase 4 (MKP4), which targets the SAPKs, and used two potent and specific JNK small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) to assess the effects of JNK signaling manipulations on Anopheles stephensi fecundity, lifespan, intermediary metabolism, and P. falciparum development. MKP4 overexpression and SMI treatment reduced the proportion of P. falciparum-infected mosquitoes and decreased oocyst loads relative to controls. SMI-treated mosquitoes exhibited no difference in lifespan compared to controls, whereas genetically manipulated mosquitoes exhibited extended longevity. Metabolomics analyses of SMI-treated mosquitoes revealed insights into putative resistance mechanisms and the physiology behind lifespan extension, suggesting for the first time that P. falciparum-induced JNK signaling reduces mosquito longevity and increases susceptibility to infection, in contrast to previously published reports, likely via a critical interplay between the invertebrate host and parasite for nutrients that play essential roles during sporogonic development. Malaria is a global health concern caused by infection with Plasmodium parasites. With rising insecticide and drug resistance, there is a critical need to develop novel control strategies. One strategy is to develop a Plasmodium-resistant mosquito through the manipulation of key signaling pathways and processes in the mosquito midgut, a critical tissue for parasite development. MAPK signaling pathways are highly conserved among eukaryotes and regulate development of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum in the mosquito vector. Here, we investigated how manipulation of Anopheles stephensi JNK signaling affects development of P. falciparum and key mosquito life history traits. We used multiple, complementary approaches to demonstrate that malaria parasite infection activates mosquito JNK signaling for its own benefit at a cost to host lifespan. Notably, these combined effects derive from networked signaling with other transduction pathways and alterations to intermediary metabolism in the mosquito host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lattha Souvannaseng
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
- Department of Pathobiology, St. George's University, School of Veterinary Medicine, True Blue, St. George, Grenada, West Indies
| | - Lewis Vibul Hun
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America
| | - Heather Baker
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - John M. Klyver
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Nazzy Pakpour
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Jordan M. Bridgewater
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America
| | - Eleonora Napoli
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Cecilia Giulivi
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
- M.I.N.D. Institute, Sacramento, CA, United States of America
| | - Michael A. Riehle
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America
| | - Shirley Luckhart
- Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology and Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Bahia AC, Kubota MS, Souza-Neto JA, Koerich LB, Barletta AB, Araújo HRC, Gonçalves CM, Ríos-Velásquez CM, Pimenta PFP, Traub-Csekö YM. An Anopheles aquasalis GATA factor Serpent is required for immunity against Plasmodium and bacteria. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006785. [PMID: 30248099 PMCID: PMC6171954 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate immunity is an ancient and conserved defense system that provides an early effective response against invaders. Many immune genes of Anopheles mosquitoes have been implicated in defense against a variety of pathogens, including plasmodia. Nevertheless, only recent work identified some immune genes of Anopheles aquasalis mosquitoes upon P. vivax infection. Among these was a GATA transcription factor gene, which is described here. This is an ortholog of GATA factor Serpent genes described in Drosophila melanogaster and Anopheles gambiae. Gene expression analyses showed an increase of GATA-Serpent mRNA in P. vivax-infected A. aquasalis and functional RNAi experiments identified this transcription factor as an important immune gene of A. aquasalis against both bacteria and P. vivax. Besides, we were able to identify an effect of GATA-Serpent knockdown on A. aquasalis hemocyte proliferation and differentiation. These findings expand our understanding of the poorly studied A. aquasalis-P. vivax interactions and uncover GATA-Serpent as a key player of the mosquito innate immune response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana C. Bahia
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitas e Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marina S. Kubota
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitas e Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Jayme A. Souza-Neto
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde (CDTS), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Leonardo B. Koerich
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana Beatriz Barletta
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Artrópodes Hematófagos, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo De Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Helena R. C. Araújo
- Laboratório de Entomologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Caroline M. Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Entomologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Cláudia M. Ríos-Velásquez
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas & Maria Deane, Fiocruz, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Paulo F. P. Pimenta
- Laboratório de Entomologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biodiversidade em Saúde, Centro de Pesquisa Leônidas & Maria Deane, Fiocruz, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Yara M. Traub-Csekö
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitas e Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Shaw WR, Catteruccia F. Vector biology meets disease control: using basic research to fight vector-borne diseases. Nat Microbiol 2018; 4:20-34. [PMID: 30150735 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-018-0214-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Human pathogens that are transmitted by insects are a global problem, particularly those vectored by mosquitoes; for example, malaria parasites transmitted by Anopheles species, and viruses such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya that are carried by Aedes mosquitoes. Over the past 15 years, the prevalence of malaria has been substantially reduced and virus outbreaks have been contained by controlling mosquito vectors using insecticide-based approaches. However, disease control is now threatened by alarming rates of insecticide resistance in insect populations, prompting the need to develop a new generation of specific strategies that can reduce vector-mediated transmission. Here, we review how increased knowledge in insect biology and insect-pathogen interactions is stimulating new concepts and tools for vector control. We focus on strategies that either interfere with the development of pathogens within their vectors or directly impact insect survival, including enhancement of vector-mediated immune control, manipulation of the insect microbiome, or use of powerful new genetic tools such as CRISPR-Cas systems to edit vector genomes. Finally, we offer a perspective on the implementation hurdles as well as the knowledge gaps that must be filled in the coming years to safely realize the potential of these novel strategies to eliminate the scourge of vector-borne disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W Robert Shaw
- Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Flaminia Catteruccia
- Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Zhou J, Yu HY, Zhang W, Ahmad F, Hu SN, Zhao LL, Zou Z, Sun JH. Comparative analysis of the Monochamus alternatus immune system. INSECT SCIENCE 2018; 25:581-603. [PMID: 28247970 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Revised: 02/05/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The pine sawyer beetle, Monochamus alternatus, is regarded as a notorious forest pest in Asia, vectoring an invasive pathogenic nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, which is known to cause pine wilt disease. However, little sequence information is available for this vector beetle. This hampered the research on its immune system. Based on the transcriptome of M. alternatus, we have identified and characterized 194 immunity-related genes in M. alternatus, and compared them with homologues molecules from other species known to exhibit immune responses against invading microbes. The lower number of putative immunity-related genes in M. alternatus were attributed to fewer C-type lectin, serine protease (SP) and anti-microbial peptide (AMP) genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that M. alternatus had a unique recognition gene, galectin3, orthologues of which were not identified in Tribolium castaneum, Drosophila melanogastor, Anopheles gambiae and Apis mellifera. This suggested a lineage-specific gene evolution for coleopteran insects. Our study provides the comprehensive sequence resources of the immunity-related genes of M. alternatus, presenting valuable information for better understanding of the molecular mechanism of innate immunity processes in M. alternatus against B. xylophilus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hai-Ying Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Faheem Ahmad
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Song-Nian Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Lin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiang-Hua Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Lei Q, Li L, Zhang S, Li T, Zhang X, Ding X, Qin B. HEV ORF3 downregulates TLR7 to inhibit the generation of type I interferon via impairment of multiple signaling pathways. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8585. [PMID: 29872132 PMCID: PMC5988675 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26975-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E is the most common type of acute hepatitis prevalent worldwide. The open reading frame 3 protein of HEV (HEV ORF3) is proposed to create a favorable environment for viral replication and pathogenesis. However, the mechanisms by which HEV overcomes the effects of host immunity, particularly the role of ORF3, remain to be established. Expression of IFNα and IFNβ in supernatant and cell samples was examined via ELISA and quantitative RT-PCR. The protein levels of specific signaling factors in cells overexpressing HEV ORF3 were examined via western blot. Analyses of cells transfected with vectors expressing ORF3 demonstrated that HEV ORF3 significantly impairs the generation of endogenous type I interferon through downregulating TLR3 and TLR7 as well as their corresponding downstream signaling pathways. Moreover, inhibition of NFκB, JAK/STAT and JNK/MAPK signaling pathways contributed significantly to suppression of increased levels of TLR7. Levels of p-P65, p-STAT1 and p-JNK were markedly impaired in ORF3-expressing cells, even upon treatment with the respective agonists. HEV ORF3 inhibits the production of endogenous type I interferon through downregulation of TLR3 and TLR7. Furthermore, suppression of TLR7 is achieved through impairment of multiple signaling pathways, including NFκB, JAK/STAT and JNK/MAPK.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingsong Lei
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Parasitic Diseases,Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Lin Li
- Department of hepatic diseases, Chongqing Tranditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing, 400011, China
| | - Shujun Zhang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Parasitic Diseases,Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Tianju Li
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Parasitic Diseases,Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Xiaomei Zhang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Parasitic Diseases,Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Xiaolin Ding
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Parasitic Diseases,Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Bo Qin
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Parasitic Diseases,Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Simões ML, Caragata EP, Dimopoulos G. Diverse Host and Restriction Factors Regulate Mosquito-Pathogen Interactions. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:603-616. [PMID: 29793806 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mosquitoes transmit diseases that seriously impact global human health. Despite extensive knowledge of the life cycles of mosquito-borne parasites and viruses within their hosts, control strategies have proven insufficient to halt their spread. An understanding of the relationships established between such pathogens and the host tissues they inhabit is therefore paramount for the development of new strategies that specifically target these interactions, to prevent the pathogens' maturation and transmission. Here we present an updated account of the antagonists and host factors that affect the development of Plasmodium, the parasite causing malaria, and mosquito-borne viruses, such as dengue virus and Zika virus, within their mosquito vectors, and we discuss the similarities and differences between Plasmodium and viral systems, looking toward the elucidation of new targets for disease control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria L Simões
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; These authors contributed equally
| | - Eric P Caragata
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; These authors contributed equally
| | - George Dimopoulos
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Chang CH, Liu YT, Weng SC, Chen IY, Tsao PN, Shiao SH. The non-canonical Notch signaling is essential for the control of fertility in Aedes aegypti. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006307. [PMID: 29505577 PMCID: PMC5854436 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2017] [Revised: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The Notch signaling pathway is a highly evolutionarily-conserved cell-cell signaling pathway that regulates many events during development. It plays a pivotal role in the regulation of fundamental cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, stem cell maintenance, and differentiation during embryonic and adult development. However, functions of Notch signaling in Aedes aegypti, the major mosquito vector for dengue, are largely unknown. In this study, we identified a unique feature of A. aegypti Notch (AaNotch) in the control of the sterile-like phenotype in female mosquitoes. Silencing AaNotch with a reverse genetic approach significantly reduced the fecundity and fertility of the mosquito. Silencing AaNotch also resulted in the prevention of micropyle formation, which led to impaired fertilization. In addition, JNK phosphorylation (a signaling molecule in the non-canonical Notch signaling pathway) was inhibited in the absence of AaNotch. Furthermore, treatment with a JNK inhibitor in the mosquito resulted in impaired fecundity and fertility. Taken together, our results demonstrate that non-canonical Notch signaling is essential for controlling fertility in the A. aegypti mosquito.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hao Chang
- Department of Parasitology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ting Liu
- Department of Parasitology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Che Weng
- Department of Parasitology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - I-Yi Chen
- Department of Parasitology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Nien Tsao
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Research Center for Developmental Biology & Regeneration Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Hong Shiao
- Department of Parasitology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Molina-Cruz A, Canepa GE, Barillas-Mury C. Plasmodium P47: a key gene for malaria transmission by mosquito vectors. Curr Opin Microbiol 2017; 40:168-174. [PMID: 29229188 PMCID: PMC5739336 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2017.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is caused by infection with Plasmodium parasites that have a complex life cycle. The parasite protein P47 is critical for disease transmission. P47 mediates mosquito immune evasion in both Plasmodium berghei (Pbs47) and Plasmodium falciparum (Pfs47), and has been shown to be important for optimal female gamete fertility in P. berghei. Pfs47 presents strong geographic structure in natural P. falciparum populations, consistent with natural selection of Pfs47 haplotypes by the mosquito immune system as the parasite adapted to new vector species worldwide. These key functions make Plasmodium P47 an attractive target to disrupt malaria transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Molina-Cruz
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, United States.
| | - Gaspar E Canepa
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, United States
| | - Carolina Barillas-Mury
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, United States.
| |
Collapse
|