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Pita Dos Santos LG, da Silva Coutinho G, Rodrigues Guimarães JM, Miranda da Silva M, Francisco da Silva A, Marcelino Neto PP, Coral Rodrigues BC, Aaron de Almeida W, Carlos Alves Dos Santos AJ, Napoleão TH, Pontual EV. Advances in COVID-19 Therapeutics: Exploring the role of lectins and protease inhibitors. Microb Pathog 2025; 205:107687. [PMID: 40349995 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2025.107687] [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: 09/10/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2025] [Accepted: 05/08/2025] [Indexed: 05/14/2025]
Abstract
The rapid global spread of SARS-CoV-2 has demanded innovative approaches to treatment and prevention. This article reviews the current landscape of COVID-19 therapeutics and vaccines, emphasizing the role of biotechnological products, particularly lectins and protease inhibitors. SARS-CoV-2, a single-stranded RNA virus, infects host cells via its spike (S) protein, which binds to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. This interaction is facilitated by host proteases like TMPRSS2, which are critical for viral entry. Treatments for COVID-19 primarily focus on antiviral drugs, anti-inflammatory agents, and monoclonal antibodies. Protease inhibitors that target viral enzymes like Mpro and PLpro have demonstrated potential. Additionally, vaccines, including mRNA-based, DNA-based, and those using viral vectors or inactivated viruses, are essential for preventing new infections. Lectins, proteins that bind specifically to carbohydrates, have emerged as potential antiviral agents. They can impede viral entry by binding to glycoproteins on the virus's surface or modulate immune responses. Studies indicate that lectins like cyanovirin-N and griffithsin exhibit significant antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. While most of the research on these biotechnological products is still in preclinical or early stages, their potential for treating and preventing COVID-19 is substantial. Further investigation and clinical trials are crucial to validate their efficacy and safety. This article underscores the need for continued exploration of novel therapeutic strategies to combat the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. However, the review is limited by the scarcity of clinical data on these products, highlighting the need for translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriel da Silva Coutinho
- Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo Miranda da Silva
- Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - Alex Francisco da Silva
- Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - Pedro Paulo Marcelino Neto
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Beto Cherles Coral Rodrigues
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Welton Aaron de Almeida
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | | | - Thiago Henrique Napoleão
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Emmanuel Viana Pontual
- Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
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Mateescu I, Lequime S. Dengue-mediated changes in the vectorial capacity of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae): manipulation of transmission or infection by-product? JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2025; 62:19-28. [PMID: 39436782 PMCID: PMC11735268 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjae134] [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: 07/04/2024] [Revised: 09/20/2024] [Accepted: 10/07/2024] [Indexed: 10/25/2024]
Abstract
An arthropod's vectorial capacity summarizes its disease transmission potential. Life-history traits, such as fecundity or survival, and behavioral traits, such as locomotor activity, host-seeking and feeding behavior, are important components of vectorial capacity. Studies have shown that mosquito-borne pathogens may alter important vectorial capacity traits of their mosquito vectors, thus directly impacting their transmission and epidemic potential. Here, we compile and discuss the evidence supporting dengue-mediated changes in the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.), its primary vector, and evaluate whether the observed effects represent an evolved trait manipulation with epidemiological implications. Dengue infection appears to manipulate essential traits that facilitate vector-host contact, such as locomotor activity, host-seeking, and feeding behavior, but the underlying mechanisms are still not understood. Conversely, life-history traits relevant to vector population dynamics, such as survival, oviposition, and fecundity, appear to be negatively impacted by dengue virus. Overall, any detrimental effects on life-history traits may be a negligible cost derived from the virulence that dengue has evolved to facilitate its transmission by manipulating Ae. aegypti behavior and feeding performance. However, methodological disparities among studies render comparisons difficult and limit the ability to reach well-supported conclusions. This highlights the need for more standardized methods for the research into changes in virus-mediated traits. Eventually, we argue that the effects on life-history traits and behavior outlined here must be considered when assessing the epidemiological impact of dengue or other arbovirus-vector-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Mateescu
- Virus Ecology and Evolution, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Research School of Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sebastian Lequime
- Virus Ecology and Evolution, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Bernardo-Menezes LC, Agrelli A, Oliveira ASLED, Azevedo EDAN, Morais CNLD. Zika virus: Critical crosstalk between pathogenesis, cytopathic effects, and macroautophagy. J Cell Biochem 2024; 125:e30438. [PMID: 37334850 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30438] [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] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a re-emerging positive-sense RNA arbovirus. Its genome encodes a polyprotein that is cleaved by proteases into three structural proteins (Envelope, pre-Membrane, and Capsid) and seven nonstructural proteins (NS1, NS2A, NS2B, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, and NS5). These proteins have essential functions in viral replication cycle, cytopathic effects, and host cellular response. When infected by ZIKV, host cells promote macroautophagy, which is believed to favor virus entry. Although several authors have attempted to understand this link between macroautophagy and viral infection, little is known. Herein, we performed a narrative review of the molecular connection between macroautophagy and ZIKV infection while focusing on the roles of the structural and nonstructural proteins. We concluded that ZIKV proteins are major virulence factors that modulate host-cell machinery to its advantage by disrupting and/or blocking specific cellular systems and organelles' function, such as endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Coêlho Bernardo-Menezes
- Laboratory of Virology and Experimental Therapeutics (LaViTE), Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Almerinda Agrelli
- Laboratory of Nanostructured Materials (LMNANO), Strategic Technologies Center of Northeast (CETENE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | | | - Elisa de Almeida Neves Azevedo
- Laboratory of Virology and Experimental Therapeutics (LaViTE), Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Clarice Neuenschwander Lins de Morais
- Laboratory of Virology and Experimental Therapeutics (LaViTE), Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
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Vera AJ, Soliz AG, Khatchikian CE, de la Mora-Covarrubias A, Watts DM, Lavretsky P. Genomic Analysis of Aedes aegypti in the Northern Chihuahuan Desert of Texas and Mexico. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2024; 24:673-681. [PMID: 38717107 PMCID: PMC12054701 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0111] [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] [Indexed: 10/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Aedes aegypti, is the primary vector of dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever viruses. Both natural and human-impacted landscapes have selective pressures on Ae. aegypti, resulting in strong genomic structure even within close geographical distances. Materials and Methods: We assess the genetic structure of this medically important mosquito species at the northern leading edge of their distribution in Southwestern USA. Ae. aegypti were collected during 2017 in the urban communities of El Paso and Sparks, Texas (USA) and in the city of Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Results: Thousands of nuclear loci were sequenced across 260 captured Ae. aegypti. First, we recovered the genetic structure of Ae. aegypti following geography, with all four major collection communities being genetically distinct. Importantly, we found population structure and genetic diversity that suggest rapid expansion through active-short distance dispersals, with Anapra being the likely source for the others. Next, tests of selection recovered eight functional genes across six outliers: calmodulin with olfactory receptor function; the protein superfamily C-type lectin with function in mosquito immune system and development; and TATA box binding protein with function in gene regulation. Conclusion: Despite these populations being documented in the early 2000s, we find that selective pressures on specific genes have already occurred and likely facilitate Ae. aegypti range expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J. Vera
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Albert G. Soliz
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Camilo E. Khatchikian
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
- Department of Epidemiology/Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | | | - Douglas M. Watts
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Philip Lavretsky
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
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Gao S, Xu H, Li H, Feng X, Zhou J, Guo R, Liang Z, Ding J, Li X, Huang Y, Liu W, Liang S. Identification and functional analysis of C-type lectin from mosquito Aedes albopictus in response to dengue virus infection. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:375. [PMID: 39232769 PMCID: PMC11373435 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06453-9] [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: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND C-type lectins (CTLs) are a large family of proteins with sugar-binding activity. CTLs contain an evolutionarily conserved C-type lectin domain (CTLD) that binds microbial carbohydrates in a calcium-dependent manner, thereby playing a key role in both microbial pathogenesis and innate immune responses. Aedes albopictus is an important vector for transmitting dengue virus (DENV) worldwide. Currently, the molecular characteristics and functions of CTLs in Ae. albopictus are largely unknown. METHODS Transcripts encoding CTL proteins in the Ae. albopictus genome assembly were analyzed via sequence blast. Phylogenetic analysis and molecular characterization were performed to identify the functional domains of the CTLs. Quantitative analysis was performed to determine the gene expression features of CTLs during mosquito development and in different tissues of female adults after blood feeding. In addition, the functional role of CTLs in response to DENV infection was investigated in Ae. albopictus mosquito cells. RESULTS We identified 39 transcripts encoding CTL proteins in the Ae. albopictus transcriptome. Aedes albopictus CTLs are classified into three groups based on the number of CTLDs and the domain architecture. These included 29 CTL-Ss (single-CTLDs), 1 immulectins (dual-CTLD) and 9 CTL-Xs (CTLDs with other domains). Phylogenetic analysis and structural modeling indicated that CTLs in Ae. albopictus are highly conserved with the homologous CTLs in Aedes aegypti. The expression profile assay revealed differential expression patterns of CTLs in both developmental stages and in adult female tissues. Knockdown and overexpression of three CTLs (CTL-S12, S17 and S19) confirmed that they can promote dengue virus infection in Ae. albopictus cells. CONCLUSIONS The CTL genes in Ae. albopictus mosquito and other mosquito species are evolutionarily conserved and exhibit different developmental and tissue expression features. The functional assay indicated that three CTLs in Ae. albopictus mosquitoes are involved in promoting dengue virus infection. Our study revealed that CTLs play important roles in both the physiological processes and viral infection in mosquito vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Gao
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haodong Xu
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongbo Li
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiao Feng
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jitao Zhou
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Renxian Guo
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zihan Liang
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jinying Ding
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yijia Huang
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wenquan Liu
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Shaohui Liang
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China.
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Loh YM, Xu YY, Lee TT, Ohashi TS, Zhang YD, Eberl DF, Su MP, Kamikouchi A. Differences in male Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus hearing systems facilitate recognition of conspecific female flight tones. iScience 2024; 27:110264. [PMID: 39027372 PMCID: PMC11255862 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
When Aedes albopictus mosquitoes invade regions predominated by Aedes aegypti, either the latter can be displaced or the species can coexist, with potential consequences on disease transmission. Males from both species identify females by listening for her flight sounds. Comparing male hearing systems may provide insight into how hearing could prevent interspecific mating. Here, we show that species-specific differences in female wing beat frequencies are reflected in differences in male ear mechanical tuning frequencies and sound response profiles. Though Aedes albopictus males are attracted to sound, they do not readily display abdominal bending, unlike Aedes aegypti. We observed interspecific differences in male ear mechanical, but not electrical, tuning, suggesting a conserved primary auditory processing pathway. Our work suggests a potential role for hearing in the premating isolation of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, with implications for predicting future dynamics in their sympatric relationships and our understanding of mosquito acoustic communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- YuMin M. Loh
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yifeng Y.J. Xu
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tai-Ting Lee
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takuro S. Ohashi
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yixiao D. Zhang
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Daniel F. Eberl
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Matthew P. Su
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Azusa Kamikouchi
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
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Chang YC, Liu WL, Fang PH, Li JC, Liu KL, Huang JL, Chen HW, Kao CF, Chen CH. Effect of C-type lectin 16 on dengue virus infection in Aedes aegypti salivary glands. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae188. [PMID: 38813522 PMCID: PMC11134184 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
C-type lectins (CTLs) are a family of carbohydrate-binding proteins and an important component of mosquito saliva. Although CTLs play key roles in immune activation and viral pathogenesis, little is known about their role in regulating dengue virus (DENV) infection and transmission. In this study, we established a homozygous CTL16 knockout Aedes aegypti mutant line using CRISPR/Cas9 to study the interaction between CTL16 and viruses in mosquito vectors. Furthermore, mouse experiments were conducted to confirm the transmission of DENV by CTL16-/- A. aegypti mutants. We found that CTL16 was mainly expressed in the medial lobe of the salivary glands (SGs) in female A. aegypti. CTL16 knockout increased DENV replication and accumulation in the SGs of female A. aegypti, suggesting that CTL16 plays an important role in DENV transmission. We also found a reduced expression of immunodeficiency and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway components correlated with increased DENV viral titer, infection rate, and transmission efficiency in the CTL16 mutant strain. The findings of this study provide insights not only for guiding future investigations on the influence of CTLs on immune responses in mosquitoes but also for developing novel mutants that can be used as vector control tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Chen Chang
- National Mosquito-Borne Diseases Control Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Liang Liu
- National Mosquito-Borne Diseases Control Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
| | - Pai-Hsiang Fang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
| | - Jian-Chiuan Li
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Lin Liu
- National Mosquito-Borne Diseases Control Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
| | - Jau-Ling Huang
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan 711301, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Wei Chen
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Fei Kao
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300093, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hong Chen
- National Mosquito-Borne Diseases Control Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
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Chen H, Phuektes P, Yeo LS, Wong YH, Lee RCH, Yi B, Hou X, Liu S, Cai Y, Chu JJH. Attenuation of neurovirulence of chikungunya virus by a single amino acid mutation in viral E2 envelope protein. J Biomed Sci 2024; 31:8. [PMID: 38229040 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-024-00995-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: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has reemerged as a major public health concern, causing chikungunya fever with increasing cases and neurological complications. METHODS In the present study, we investigated a low-passage human isolate of the East/ Central/South African (ECSA) lineage of CHIKV strain LK(EH)CH6708, which exhibited a mix of small and large viral plaques. The small and large plaque variants were isolated and designated as CHIKV-SP and CHIKV-BP, respectively. CHIKV-SP and CHIKV-BP were characterized in vitro and in vivo to compare their virus production and virulence. Additionally, whole viral genome analysis and reverse genetics were employed to identify genomic virulence factors. RESULTS CHIKV-SP demonstrated lower virus production in mammalian cells and attenuated virulence in a murine model. On the other hand, CHIKV-BP induced higher pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, compromised the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, and led to astrocyte infection in mouse brains. Furthermore, the CHIKV-SP variant had limited transmission potential in Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, likely due to restricted dissemination. Whole viral genome analysis revealed multiple genetic mutations in the CHIKV-SP variant, including a Glycine (G) to Arginine (R) mutation at position 55 in the viral E2 glycoprotein. Reverse genetics experiments confirmed that the E2-G55R mutation alone was sufficient to reduce virus production in vitro and virulence in mice. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the attenuating effects of the E2-G55R mutation on CHIKV pathogenicity and neurovirulence and emphasize the importance of monitoring this mutation in natural infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huixin Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular RNA Virology and Antiviral Strategies, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Infectious Diseases Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Patchara Phuektes
- Division of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
| | - Li Sze Yeo
- School of Applied Science, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yi Hao Wong
- Laboratory of Molecular RNA Virology and Antiviral Strategies, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Infectious Diseases Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Regina Ching Hua Lee
- Laboratory of Molecular RNA Virology and Antiviral Strategies, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Infectious Diseases Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bowen Yi
- Laboratory of Molecular RNA Virology and Antiviral Strategies, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Infectious Diseases Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xinjun Hou
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sen Liu
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yu Cai
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Justin Jang Hann Chu
- Laboratory of Molecular RNA Virology and Antiviral Strategies, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Infectious Diseases Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Collaborative and Translation Unit for HFMD, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.
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Feng J, Huang Y, Huang M, Luo J, Que L, Yang S, Jian J. A novel perlucin-like protein (PLP) protects Litopenaeus vannamei against Vibrio harveyi infection. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 139:108932. [PMID: 37414305 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2023.108932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
C-type lectins (CTLs), as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), play an important role in the innate immunity of Litopenaeus vannamei. In this study, a novel CTL, named perlucin-like protein (PLP), was identified from L. vannamei, which shared homology sequences of PLP from Penaeus monodon. PLP from L. vannamei was expressed in the hepatopancreas, eyestalk, muscle and brain and could be activated in the tissues (hepatopancreas, muscle, gill and intestine) after infection with the pathogen Vibrio harveyi. Bacteria (Vibrio alginolyticus, V. parahaemolyticus, V. harveyi, Streptococcus agalactiae and Bacillus subtilis) could be bound and agglutinated by the PLP recombinant protein in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Moreover, PLP could stabilise the expression of the immune-related genes (ALF, SOD, HSP70, Toll4 and IMD) and apoptosis gene (Caspase2). The RNAi of PLP could remarkably affect the expression of antioxidant gene, antimicrobial peptide genes, other CTLs, apoptosis genes, Toll signaling pathways, and IMD signaling pathways. Moreover, PLP reduced the bacterial load in the hepatopancreas. These results suggested that PLP was involved in the innate immune response against V. harveyi infection by recognising bacterial pathogens and activating the expression of immune-related and apoptosis genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiamin Feng
- Fisheries College of Guangdong Ocean University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture & Key Laboratory of Control for Disease of Aquatic Animals of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yongxiong Huang
- Fisheries College of Guangdong Ocean University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture & Key Laboratory of Control for Disease of Aquatic Animals of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Meiling Huang
- Fisheries College of Guangdong Ocean University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture & Key Laboratory of Control for Disease of Aquatic Animals of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Junliang Luo
- Fisheries College of Guangdong Ocean University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture & Key Laboratory of Control for Disease of Aquatic Animals of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Liwen Que
- Fisheries College of Guangdong Ocean University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture & Key Laboratory of Control for Disease of Aquatic Animals of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Shiping Yang
- Fisheries College of Guangdong Ocean University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture & Key Laboratory of Control for Disease of Aquatic Animals of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Zhanjiang, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Aquatic Animal Health Assessment, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Jichang Jian
- Fisheries College of Guangdong Ocean University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture & Key Laboratory of Control for Disease of Aquatic Animals of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Zhanjiang, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Aquatic Animal Health Assessment, Shenzhen, China.
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10
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Xie X, Wang D, Li B, Li M, Xing D, Zhao T, Zhou X, Li C. Mosquito CYP4C21 knockout reduces dengue virus and Zika virus replication in Aedes aegypti cells. BIOSAFETY AND HEALTH 2023; 5:144-151. [PMID: 40078514 PMCID: PMC11894964 DOI: 10.1016/j.bsheal.2023.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2025] Open
Abstract
Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti) is a major vector of dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV). Understanding the complex interaction mechanisms between mosquito vectors and arboviruses is essential to interrupt virus transmission. This study constructed CYP4C21 knockout (KO) Aag2 cells (Ae. aegypti cells) and confirmed that CYP4C21 KO reduced DENV2 and ZIKV copies in Aag2 cells, which suggests that CYP4C21 may play an important role in mosquito infection with arboviruses. Furthermore, it is the first report of the CYP4 family related to viral infection, which lays the foundation for exploring the role of the CYP4C21 in the interaction of Ae. aegypti and arbovirus and provides novel insights into the function of cytochrome family proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Di Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Bo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
- School of Public Health, The Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Manjin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Dan Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Teng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Xinyu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Chunxiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
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11
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Villegas LEM, Radl J, Dimopoulos G, Short SM. Bacterial communities of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes differ between crop and midgut tissues. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011218. [PMID: 36989328 PMCID: PMC10085046 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbiota studies of Aedes aegypti and other mosquitoes generally focus on the bacterial communities found in adult female midguts. However, other compartments of the digestive tract maintain communities of bacteria which remain almost entirely unstudied. For example, the Dipteran crop is a food storage organ, but few studies have looked at the microbiome of crops in mosquitoes, and only a single previous study has investigated the crop in Ae. aegypti. In this study, we used both culture-dependent and culture-independent methods to compare the bacterial communities in midguts and crops of laboratory reared Ae. aegypti. Both methods revealed a trend towards higher abundance, but also higher variability, of bacteria in the midgut than the crop. When present, bacteria from the genus Elizabethkingia (family Weeksellaceae) dominated midgut bacterial communities. In crops, we found a higher diversity of bacteria, and these communities were generally dominated by acetic acid bacteria (family Acetobacteriaceae) from the genera Tanticharoenia and Asaia. These three taxa drove significant community structure differences between the tissues. We used FAPROTAX to predict the metabolic functions of these communities and found that crop bacterial communities were significantly more likely to contain bacteria capable of methanol oxidation and methylotrophy. Both the presence of acetic acid bacteria (which commonly catabolize sugar to produce acetic acid) and the functional profile that includes methanol oxidation (which is correlated with bacteria found with natural sources like nectar) may relate to the presence of sugar, which is stored in the mosquito crop. A better understanding of what bacteria are present in the digestive tract of mosquitoes and how these communities assemble will inform how the microbiota impacts mosquito physiology and the full spectrum of functions provided by the microbiota. It may also facilitate better methods of engineering the mosquito microbiome for vector control or prevention of disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James Radl
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - George Dimopoulos
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sarah M. Short
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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12
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Chen C, Compton A, Nikolouli K, Wang A, Aryan A, Sharma A, Qi Y, Dellinger C, Hempel M, Potters M, Augustinos A, Severson DW, Bourtzis K, Tu Z. Marker-assisted mapping enables forward genetic analysis in Aedes aegypti, an arboviral vector with vast recombination deserts. Genetics 2022; 222:iyac140. [PMID: 36083009 PMCID: PMC9630976 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyac140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Aedes aegypti is a major vector of arboviruses that cause dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika. Although recent success in reverse genetics has facilitated rapid progress in basic and applied research, integration of forward genetics with modern technologies remains challenging in this important species, as up to 47% of its chromosome is refractory to genetic mapping due to extremely low rate of recombination. Here, we report the development of a marker-assisted mapping strategy to readily screen for and genotype only the rare but informative recombinants, drastically increasing both the resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. Using marker-assisted mapping, we mapped a transgene that was inserted in a >100-Mb recombination desert and a sex-linked spontaneous red-eye (re) mutation just outside the region. We subsequently determined, by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout, that cardinal is the causal gene of re, which is the first forward genetic identification of a causal gene in Ae. aegypti. The identification of the causal gene of the sex-linked re mutation provides the molecular foundation for using gene editing to develop versatile and stable genetic sexing methods. To facilitate genome-wide forward genetics in Ae. aegypti, we generated and compiled a number of lines with markers throughout the genome. Thus, by overcoming the challenges presented by the vast recombination deserts and the scarcity of markers, we have shown that effective forward genetic analysis is increasingly feasible in this important arboviral vector species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chujia Chen
- Genetics Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Austin Compton
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Katerina Nikolouli
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA Laboratories, 2444 Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - Aihua Wang
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Azadeh Aryan
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Atashi Sharma
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Yumin Qi
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Camden Dellinger
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Melanie Hempel
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Mark Potters
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Antonios Augustinos
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA Laboratories, 2444 Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - David W Severson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Kostas Bourtzis
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA Laboratories, 2444 Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - Zhijian Tu
- Genetics Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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13
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Alam I, Batool K, Idris AL, Tan W, Guan X, Zhang L. Role of Lectin in the Response of Aedes aegypti Against Bt Toxin. Front Immunol 2022; 13:898198. [PMID: 35634312 PMCID: PMC9136036 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.898198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Aedes aegypti is one of the world’s most dangerous mosquitoes, and a vector of diseases such as dengue fever, chikungunya virus, yellow fever, and Zika virus disease. Currently, a major global challenge is the scarcity of antiviral medicine and vaccine for arboviruses. Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis (Bti) toxins are used as biological mosquito control agents. Endotoxins, including Cry4Aa, Cry4Ba, Cry10Aa, Cry11Aa, and Cyt1Aa, are toxic to mosquitoes. Insect eradication by Cry toxin relies primarily on the interaction of cry toxins with key toxin receptors, such as aminopeptidase (APN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), cadherin (CAD), and ATP-binding cassette transporters. The carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs) of lectins and domains II and III of Cry toxins share similar structural folds, suggesting that midgut proteins, such as C-type lectins (CTLs), may interfere with interactions among Cry toxins and receptors by binding to both and alter Cry toxicity. In the present review, we summarize the functional role of C-type lectins in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes and the mechanism underlying the alteration of Cry toxin activity by CTLs. Furthermore, we outline future research directions on elucidating the Bti resistance mechanism. This study provides a basis for understanding Bti resistance, which can be used to develop novel insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Intikhab Alam
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Lab of Biopesticides and Chemical Biology, MOE, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Khadija Batool
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Lab of Biopesticides and Chemical Biology, MOE, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Aisha Lawan Idris
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Lab of Biopesticides and Chemical Biology, MOE, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Weilong Tan
- Nanjing Bioengineering (Gene) Technology Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiong Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Lab of Biopesticides and Chemical Biology, MOE, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Lingling Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Lab of Biopesticides and Chemical Biology, MOE, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Lingling Zhang,
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14
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First Insights into the Repertoire of Secretory Lectins in Rotifers. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20020130. [PMID: 35200659 PMCID: PMC8878817 DOI: 10.3390/md20020130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to their high biodiversity and adaptation to a mutable and challenging environment, aquatic lophotrochozoan animals are regarded as a virtually unlimited source of bioactive molecules. Among these, lectins, i.e., proteins with remarkable carbohydrate-recognition properties involved in immunity, reproduction, self/nonself recognition and several other biological processes, are particularly attractive targets for biotechnological research. To date, lectin research in the Lophotrochozoa has been restricted to the most widespread phyla, which are the usual targets of comparative immunology studies, such as Mollusca and Annelida. Here we provide the first overview of the repertoire of the secretory lectin-like molecules encoded by the genomes of six target rotifer species: Brachionus calyciflorus, Brachionus plicatilis, Proales similis (class Monogononta), Adineta ricciae, Didymodactylos carnosus and Rotaria sordida (class Bdelloidea). Overall, while rotifer secretory lectins display a high molecular diversity and belong to nine different structural classes, their total number is significantly lower than for other groups of lophotrochozoans, with no evidence of lineage-specific expansion events. Considering the high evolutionary divergence between rotifers and the other major sister phyla, their widespread distribution in aquatic environments and the ease of their collection and rearing in laboratory conditions, these organisms may represent interesting targets for glycobiological studies, which may allow the identification of novel carbohydrate-binding proteins with peculiar biological properties.
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15
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Morgan J, Salcedo-Sora JE, Triana-Chavez O, Strode C. Expansive and Diverse Phenotypic Landscape of Field Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Larvae with Differential Susceptibility to Temephos: Beyond Metabolic Detoxification. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:192-212. [PMID: 34718656 PMCID: PMC8755997 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Arboviruses including dengue, Zika, and chikungunya are amongst the most significant public health concerns worldwide. Arbovirus control relies on the use of insecticides to control the vector mosquito Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus), the success of which is threatened by widespread insecticide resistance. The work presented here profiled the gene expression of Ae. aegypti larvae from field populations of Ae. aegypti with differential susceptibility to temephos originating from two Colombian urban locations, Bello and Cúcuta, previously reported to have distinctive disease incidence, socioeconomics, and climate. We demonstrated that an exclusive field-to-lab (Ae. aegypti strain New Orleans) comparison generates an over estimation of differential gene expression (DGE) and that the inclusion of a geographically relevant field control yields a more discrete, and likely, more specific set of genes. The composition of the obtained DGE profiles is varied, with commonly reported resistance associated genes including detoxifying enzymes having only a small representation. We identify cuticle biosynthesis, ion exchange homeostasis, an extensive number of long noncoding RNAs, and chromatin modelling among the differentially expressed genes in field resistant Ae. aegypti larvae. It was also shown that temephos resistant larvae undertake further gene expression responses when temporarily exposed to temephos. The results from the sampling triangulation approach here contribute a discrete DGE profiling with reduced noise that permitted the observation of a greater gene diversity, increasing the number of potential targets for the control of insecticide resistant mosquitoes and widening our knowledge base on the complex phenotypic network of the Ae. aegypti response to insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Morgan
- Department of Biology, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, UK
| | - J Enrique Salcedo-Sora
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Omar Triana-Chavez
- Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEN), University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Clare Strode
- Department of Biology, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, UK
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16
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Feitosa-Suntheimer F, Zhu Z, Mameli E, Dayama G, Gold AS, Broos-Caldwell A, Troupin A, Rippee-Brooks M, Corley RB, Lau NC, Colpitts TM, Londoño-Renteria B. Dengue Virus-2 Infection Affects Fecundity and Elicits Specific Transcriptional Changes in the Ovaries of Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:886787. [PMID: 35814655 PMCID: PMC9260120 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.886787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue fever (DF), caused by the dengue virus (DENV), is the most burdensome arboviral disease in the world, with an estimated 400 million infections each year. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the main vector of DENV and transmits several other human pathogens, including Zika, yellow fever, and chikungunya viruses. Previous studies have shown that the pathogen infection of mosquitoes can alter reproductive fitness, revealing specific vector-pathogen interactions that are key determinants of vector competence. However, only a handful of studies have examined the effect of DENV infection in A. aegypti, showing a reduction in lifespan and fecundity over multiple blood meals. To provide a more comprehensive analysis of the impact of DENV infection on egg laying and fecundity, we assessed egg laying timing in DENV-2 blood-fed mosquitoes (infected group) compared to mock blood-fed mosquitoes (control group). We confirmed a significant decrease in fecundity during the first gonadotrophic cycle. To further investigate this phenotype and the underlying DENV-2 infection-dependent changes in gene expression, we conducted a transcriptomic analysis for differentially expressed genes in the ovaries of A. aegypti infected with DENV-2 vs. mock-infected mosquitoes. This analysis reveals several DENV-2-regulated genes; among them, we identified a group of 12 metabolic genes that we validated using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Interestingly, two genes found to be upregulated in DENV-infected mosquito ovaries exhibited an antiviral role for DENV-2 in an Aedes cell line. Altogether, this study offers useful insights into the virus-vector interface, highlighting the importance of gene expression changes in the mosquito's ovary during DENV-2 infection in the first gonadotrophic cycle, triggering antiviral responses that may possibly interfere with mosquito reproduction. This information is extremely relevant for further investigation of A. aegypti's ability to tolerate viruses since virally infected mosquitoes in nature constitute a powerful source of supporting viruses during intra-epidemic periods, causing a huge burden on the public health system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Feitosa-Suntheimer
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Zheng Zhu
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Enzo Mameli
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Blavatnik Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Gargi Dayama
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Alexander S Gold
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Aditi Broos-Caldwell
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Andrea Troupin
- School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Meagan Rippee-Brooks
- Department of Biology, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, United States
| | - Ronald B Corley
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Nelson C Lau
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,Genome Science Institute, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Tonya M Colpitts
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Berlin Londoño-Renteria
- School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States.,Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
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17
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Lab-scale characterization and semi-field trials of Wolbachia Strain wAlbB in a Taiwan Wolbachia introgressed Ae. aegypti strain. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010084. [PMID: 35015769 PMCID: PMC8752028 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010084] [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: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue fever is one of the most severe viral diseases transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, with traditional approaches of disease control proving insufficient to prevent significant disease burden. Release of Wolbachia-transinfected mosquitoes offers a promising alternative control methodologies; Wolbachia-transinfected female Aedes aegypti demonstrate reduced dengue virus transmission, whilst Wolbachia-transinfected males cause zygotic lethality when crossed with uninfected females, providing a method for suppressing mosquito populations. Although highly promising, the delicate nature of population control strategies and differences between local species populations means that controlled releases of Wolbachia-transinfected mosquitoes cannot be performed without extensive testing on specific local Ae. aegypti populations. In order to investigate the potential for using Wolbachia to suppress local Ae. aegypti populations in Taiwan, we performed lab-based and semi-field fitness trials. We first transinfected the Wolbachia strain wAlbB into a local Ae. aegypti population (wAlbB-Tw) and found no significant changes in lifespan, fecundity and fertility when compared to controls. In the laboratory, we found that as the proportion of released male mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia was increased, population suppression could reach up to 100%. Equivalent experiments in semi-field experiments found suppression rates of up to 70%. The release of different ratios of wAlbB-Tw males in the semi-field system provided an estimate of the optimal size of male releases. Our results indicate that wAlbB-Tw has significant potential for use in vector control strategies aimed at Ae. aegypti population suppression in Taiwan. Open field release trials are now necessary to confirm that wAlbB-Tw mediated suppression is feasible in natural environments.
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18
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Amaro IA, Ahmed-Braimah YH, League GP, Pitcher SA, Avila FW, Cruz PC, Harrington LC, Wolfner MF. Seminal fluid proteins induce transcriptome changes in the Aedes aegypti female lower reproductive tract. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:896. [PMID: 34906087 PMCID: PMC8672594 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-08201-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mating induces behavioral and physiological changes in the arbovirus vector Aedes aegypti, including stimulation of egg development and oviposition, increased survival, and reluctance to re-mate with subsequent males. Transferred seminal fluid proteins and peptides derived from the male accessory glands induce these changes, though the mechanism by which they do this is not known. RESULTS To determine transcriptome changes induced by seminal proteins, we injected extract from male accessory glands and seminal vesicles (MAG extract) into females and examined female lower reproductive tract (LRT) transcriptomes 24 h later, relative to non-injected controls. MAG extract induced 87 transcript-level changes, 31 of which were also seen in a previous study of the LRT 24 h after a natural mating, including 15 genes with transcript-level changes similarly observed in the spermathecae of mated females. The differentially-regulated genes are involved in diverse molecular processes, including immunity, proteolysis, neuronal function, transcription control, or contain predicted small-molecule binding and transport domains. CONCLUSIONS Our results reveal that seminal fluid proteins, specifically, can induce gene expression responses after mating and identify gene targets to further investigate for roles in post-mating responses and potential use in vector control.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Alexandra Amaro
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | | | - Garrett P League
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Sylvie A Pitcher
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Frank W Avila
- Max Planck Tandem Group in Mosquito Reproductive Biology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, 050010, Colombia
| | - Priscilla C Cruz
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | | | - Mariana F Wolfner
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
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19
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Transgenic refractory Aedes aegypti lines are resistant to multiple serotypes of dengue virus. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23865. [PMID: 34903766 PMCID: PMC8668939 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03229-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The areas where dengue virus (DENV) is endemic have expanded rapidly, driven in part by the global spread of Aedes species, which act as disease vectors. DENV replicates in the mosquito midgut and is disseminated to the mosquito’s salivary glands for amplification. Thus, blocking virus infection or replication in the tissues of the mosquito may be a viable strategy for reducing the incidence of DENV transmission to humans. Here we used the mariner Mos1 transposase to create an Aedes aegypti line that expresses virus-specific miRNA hairpins capable of blocking DENV replication. These microRNA are driven by the blood-meal-inducible carboxypeptidase A promoter or by the polyubiquitin promoter. The transgenic mosquitoes exhibited significantly lower infection rates and viral titers for most DENV serotypes 7 days after receiving an infectious blood meal. The treatment was also effective at day 14 post infection after a second blood meal had been administered. In viral transmission assay, we found there was significantly reduced transmission in these lines. These transgenic mosquitoes were effective in silencing most of the DENV genome; such an approach may be employed to control a dengue fever epidemic.
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20
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Abstract
Implementation of CRISPR/Cas9 methodologies for mosquito gene editing has not yet become widespread. This protocol details the procedure for Aedes aegypti mosquito gene editing using homology-directed repair and fluorescent marker insertion, which facilitates the generation and screening of mutant mosquito lines for gene function testing. We describe optimized methods for single guide RNA plasmid preparation, homologous recombination donor plasmid construction, embryo microinjection, and precise gene knock-in confirmation. We also provide general guidance for establishing mutant mosquito lines. For details on the practical use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Li et al. (2020).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsing-Han Li
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350401, Taiwan
| | - Jian-Chiuan Li
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350401, Taiwan
| | - Matthew P. Su
- Department of Biological Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan
| | - Kun-Lin Liu
- National Mosquito-Borne Diseases Control Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350401, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hong Chen
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350401, Taiwan
- National Mosquito-Borne Diseases Control Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350401, Taiwan
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21
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Weng SC, Li HH, Li JC, Liu WL, Chen CH, Shiao SH. A Thioester-Containing Protein Controls Dengue Virus Infection in Aedes aegypti Through Modulating Immune Response. Front Immunol 2021; 12:670122. [PMID: 34054842 PMCID: PMC8155531 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.670122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Complement-like proteins in arthropods defend against invading pathogens in the early phases of infection. Thioester-containing proteins (TEPs), which exhibit high similarity to mammalian complement C3, are thought to play a key role in the innate immunity of arthropods. We identified and characterized anti-dengue virus (DENV) host factors, in particular complement-like proteins, in the mosquito Aedes aegypti. Our results indicate that TEP1 limits DENV infection in Ae. aegypti. We showed that TEP1 transcription is highly induced in mosquitoes following DENV infection. Silencing TEP1 resulted in the up-regulation of viral RNA and proteins. In addition, the production of infectious virus particles increased in the absence of TEP1. We generated a transgenic mosquito line with a TEP1 loss-of-function phenotype under a blood meal-inducible promoter. We showed that viral protein and titers increased in transgenic mosquitoes after an infectious blood meal. Interestingly, expression of transcription factor Rel2 and certain anti-microbial peptides (AMPs) were inhibited in transgenic mosquitoes. Overall, our results suggest that TEP1 regulates the immune response and consequently controls the replication of dengue virus in mosquitoes. This finding provides new insight into the molecular mechanisms of mosquito host factors in the regulation of DENV replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Che Weng
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Han Li
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Jian-Chiuan Li
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Liang Liu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hong Chen
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.,National Mosquito-Borne Diseases Control Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Hong Shiao
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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22
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Gabrieli P, Caccia S, Varotto-Boccazzi I, Arnoldi I, Barbieri G, Comandatore F, Epis S. Mosquito Trilogy: Microbiota, Immunity and Pathogens, and Their Implications for the Control of Disease Transmission. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:630438. [PMID: 33889137 PMCID: PMC8056039 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.630438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In mosquitoes, the interaction between the gut microbiota, the immune system, and the pathogens that these insects transmit to humans and animals is regarded as a key component toward the development of control strategies, aimed at reducing the burden of severe diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever. Indeed, different microorganisms from the mosquito microbiota have been investigated for their ability to affect important traits of the biology of the host insect, related with its survival, development and reproduction. Furthermore, some microorganisms have been shown to modulate the immune response of mosquito females, significantly shaping their vector competence. Here, we will review current knowledge in this field, focusing on i) the complex interaction between the intestinal microbiota and mosquito females defenses, both in the gut and at humoral level; ii) how knowledge on these issues contributes to the development of novel and targeted strategies for the control of mosquito-borne diseases such as the use of paratransgenesis or taking advantage of the relationship between Wolbachia and mosquito hosts. We conclude by providing a brief overview of available knowledge on microbiota-immune system interplay in major insect vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Gabrieli
- Department of Biosciences and Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Caccia
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.,Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Ilaria Varotto-Boccazzi
- Department of Biosciences and Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Irene Arnoldi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giulia Barbieri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesco Comandatore
- "L. Sacco" Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Epis
- Department of Biosciences and Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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23
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Cheng L, Liu WL, Tsou YT, Li JC, Chien CH, Su MP, Liu KL, Huang YL, Wu SC, Tsai JJ, Hsieh SL, Chen CH. Transgenic Expression of Human C-Type Lectin Protein CLEC18A Reduces Dengue Virus Type 2 Infectivity in Aedes aegypti. Front Immunol 2021; 12:640367. [PMID: 33767710 PMCID: PMC7985527 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.640367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The C-type lectins, one family of lectins featuring carbohydrate binding domains which participate in a variety of bioprocesses in both humans and mosquitoes, including immune response, are known to target DENV. A human C-type lectin protein CLEC18A in particular shows extensive glycan binding abilities and correlates with type-I interferon expression, making CLEC18A a potential player in innate immune responses to DENV infection; this potential may provide additional regulatory point in improving mosquito immunity. Here, we established for the first time a transgenic Aedes aegypti line that expresses human CLEC18A. This expression enhanced the Toll immune pathway responses to DENV infection. Furthermore, viral genome and virus titers were reduced by 70% in the midgut of transgenic mosquitoes. We found significant changes in the composition of the midgut microbiome in CLEC18A expressing mosquitoes, which may result from the Toll pathway enhancement and contribute to DENV inhibition. Transgenic mosquito lines offer a compelling option for studying DENV pathogenesis, and our analyses indicate that modifying the mosquito immune system via expression of a human immune gene can significantly reduce DENV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lie Cheng
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.,Tropical Medicine Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Liang Liu
- National Mosquito-Borne Diseases Control Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Ting Tsou
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jian-Chiuan Li
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hao Chien
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Matthew P Su
- Department of Biological Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kun-Lin Liu
- National Mosquito-Borne Diseases Control Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Lang Huang
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Cheng Wu
- National Mosquito-Borne Diseases Control Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Jih-Jin Tsai
- Tropical Medicine Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shie-Liang Hsieh
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute for Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hong Chen
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.,National Mosquito-Borne Diseases Control Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
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