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Riana E, Sri-In C, Songkasupa T, Bartholomay LC, Thontiravong A, Tiawsirisup S. Infection, dissemination, and transmission of lumpy skin disease virus in Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus), Culex tritaeniorhynchus (Giles), and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) mosquitoes. Acta Trop 2024; 254:107205. [PMID: 38579960 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107205] [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: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) is a transboundary viral disease in cattle and water buffaloes. Although this Poxvirus is supposedly transmitted by mechanical vectors, only a few studies have investigated the role of local vectors in the transmission of LSDV. This study examined the infection, dissemination, and transmission rates of LSDV in Aedes aegypti, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, and Culex quinquefasciatus following artificial membrane feeding of 102.7, 103.7, 104.7 TCID50/mL LSDV in sheep blood. The results demonstrated that these mosquito species were susceptible to LSDV, with Cx tritaeniorhynchus exhibiting significantly different characteristics from Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus. These three mosquito species were susceptible to LSDV. Ae. aegypti showed it as early as 2 days post-infection (dpi), indicating swift dissemination in this particular species. The extrinsic incubation period (EIP) of LSDV in Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and Cx. quinquefasciatus was 8 and 14 dpi, respectively. Ingestion of different viral titers in blood did not affect the infection, dissemination, or transmission rates of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and Cx. quinquefasciatus. All rates remained consistently high at 8-14 dpi for Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. In all three species, LSDV remained detectable until 14 dpi. The present findings indicate that, Ae. aegypti, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, and Cx. quinquefasciatus may act as vectors during the LSDV outbreak; their involvement may extend beyond being solely mechanical vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Riana
- The International Graduate Program of Veterinary Science and Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Animal Vector-Borne Diseases, Veterinary Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chalida Sri-In
- Center of Excellence in Animal Vector-Borne Diseases, Veterinary Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tapanut Songkasupa
- Virology section, National Institute of Animal Health, Department of Livestock Development, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Lyric C Bartholomay
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Aunyaratana Thontiravong
- Center of Excellence in Animal Vector-Borne Diseases, Veterinary Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sonthaya Tiawsirisup
- Center of Excellence in Animal Vector-Borne Diseases, Veterinary Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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Albergaria RG, Dos Santos Araújo R, Martins GF. Morphological characterization of antennal sensilla in Toxorhynchites theobaldi, Toxorhynchites violaceus, and Lutzia bigoti adults: a comparative study using scanning electron microscopy. PROTOPLASMA 2024:10.1007/s00709-024-01927-0. [PMID: 38236420 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-024-01927-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Some mosquitoes, including species of the genus Toxorhynchites, are known for actively preying on other mosquito larvae, making these predators valuable allies in the fight against vector-borne diseases. A comprehensive understanding of the anatomy and physiology of these potential biological control agents is helpful for the development of effective strategies for controlling vector populations. This includes the antennae, a crucial component in the search for hosts, mating, and selection of oviposition sites. This study utilized scanning electron microscopy to characterize the sensilla on the antennae of adult mosquitoes from two species that are exclusively phytophagous, including Toxorhynchites theobaldi and Toxorhynchites violaceus, as well as Lutzia bigoti, which females are allegedly hematophagous. The types of sensilla in each species were compared, and five basic types of antennal sensilla were identified: trichoid, chaetic, coeloconic, basiconic, and ampullacea. The analysis also found that they were morphologically similar across the three species, regardless of feeding habits or sex. The identification and characterization of basic types of antennal sensilla in T. theobaldi, T. violaceus, and L. bigoti suggest that these structures, which play a crucial role in the behavior and ecology, have common functions across different mosquito species, despite differences in feeding habits or sex.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Renan Dos Santos Araújo
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas E da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Pontal Do Araguaia, MT, 78698-000, Brazil.
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Jagtap SV, Brink J, Frank SC, Badusche M, Leggewie M, Sreenu VB, Fuss J, Schnettler E, Altinli M. Agua Salud Alphavirus Infection, Dissemination and Transmission in Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes. Viruses 2023; 15:1113. [PMID: 37243199 PMCID: PMC10223791 DOI: 10.3390/v15051113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquitoes are competent vectors for many important arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses). In addition to arboviruses, insect-specific viruses (ISV) have also been discovered in mosquitoes. ISVs are viruses that replicate in insect hosts but are unable to infect and replicate in vertebrates. They have been shown to interfere with arbovirus replication in some cases. Despite the increase in studies on ISV-arbovirus interactions, ISV interactions with their hosts and how they are maintained in nature are still not well understood. In the present study, we investigated the infection and dissemination of the Agua Salud alphavirus (ASALV) in the important mosquito vector Aedes aegypti through different infection routes (per oral infection, intrathoracic injection) and its transmission. We show here that ASALV infects the female Ae. aegypti and replicates when mosquitoes are infected intrathoracically or orally. ASALV disseminated to different tissues, including the midgut, salivary glands and ovaries. However, we observed a higher virus load in the brain than in the salivary glands and carcasses, suggesting a tropism towards brain tissues. Our results show that ASALV is transmitted horizontally during adult and larval stages, although we did not observe vertical transmission. Understanding ISV infection and dissemination dynamics in Ae. aegypti and their transmission routes could help the use of ISVs as an arbovirus control strategy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati V. Jagtap
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (S.V.J.)
- German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jorn Brink
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (S.V.J.)
| | - Svea C. Frank
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (S.V.J.)
| | - Marlis Badusche
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (S.V.J.)
| | - Mayke Leggewie
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (S.V.J.)
| | | | - Janina Fuss
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology (IKMB), Kiel University, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Esther Schnettler
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (S.V.J.)
- German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, University Hamburg, 20148 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mine Altinli
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (S.V.J.)
- German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
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Nuss AB, Gulia-Nuss M. Trypsin, the Major Proteolytic Enzyme for Blood Digestion in the Mosquito Midgut. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2023; 2023:pdb.top107656. [PMID: 36787964 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.top107656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
When a female mosquito takes a blood meal, proteolytic activity surges in the midgut. Trypsin-like serine proteases are the major endoproteolytic enzyme induced by feeding in mosquitoes. The mosquito midgut lacks trypsin activity before the blood meal, but in most anautogenous mosquitoes, trypsin activity increases continuously up to 30 h after feeding and subsequently returns to baseline levels by 60 h. Trypsin activity in mosquitoes is restricted entirely to the posterior midgut lumen, where blood is stored and digested. Trypsin enzyme activity can be quantitatively measured using the artificial Nα-benzoyl-DL-arginine 4-nitroanilide hydrochloride substrate, a method described in our associated protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew B Nuss
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Veterinary, and Rangeland Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA
- Department of Agriculture, Veterinary, and Rangeland Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA
| | - Monika Gulia-Nuss
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Veterinary, and Rangeland Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA
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Trammell CE, Goodman AG. Host Factors That Control Mosquito-Borne Viral Infections in Humans and Their Vector. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050748. [PMID: 33923307 PMCID: PMC8145797 DOI: 10.3390/v13050748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne viral infections are responsible for a significant degree of morbidity and mortality across the globe due to the severe diseases these infections cause, and they continue to increase each year. These viruses are dependent on the mosquito vector as the primary means of transmission to new vertebrate hosts including avian, livestock, and human populations. Due to the dynamic host environments that mosquito-borne viruses pass through as they are transmitted between vector and vertebrate hosts, there are various host factors that control the response to infection over the course of the pathogen's life cycle. In this review, we discuss these host factors that are present in either vector or vertebrate models during infection, how they vary or are conserved between hosts, and their implications in future research pertaining to disease prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chasity E. Trammell
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA;
- NIH Protein Biotechnology Training Program, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6240, USA
| | - Alan G. Goodman
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA;
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(509)-335-0186
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Zika Virus Dissemination from the Midgut of Aedes aegypti is Facilitated by Bloodmeal-Mediated Structural Modification of the Midgut Basal Lamina. Viruses 2019; 11:v11111056. [PMID: 31739432 PMCID: PMC6893695 DOI: 10.3390/v11111056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The arboviral disease cycle requires that key tissues in the arthropod vector become persistently infected with the virus. The midgut is the first organ in the mosquito that needs to be productively infected with an orally acquired virus. Following midgut infection, the virus then disseminates to secondary tissues including the salivary glands. Once these are productively infected, the mosquito is able to transmit the virus to a vertebrate host. Recently, we described the midgut dissemination pattern for chikungunya virus in Aedes aegypti. Here we assess the dissemination pattern in the same mosquito species for Zika virus (ZIKV), a human pathogenic virus belonging to the Flaviviridae. ZIKV infection of secondary tissues, indicative of dissemination from the midgut, was not observed before 72 h post infectious bloodmeal (pibm). Virion accumulation at the midgut basal lamina (BL) was only sporadic, although at 96–120 h pibm, virions were frequently observed between strands of the BL indicative of their dissemination. Our data suggest that ZIKV dissemination from the mosquito midgut occurs after digestion of the bloodmeal. Using gold-nanoparticles of 5 nm and 50 nm size, we show that meal ingestion leads to severe midgut tissue distention, causing the mesh width of the BL to remain enlarged after complete digestion of the meal. This could explain how ZIKV can exit the midgut via the BL after bloodmeal digestion. Ingestion of a subsequent, non-infectious bloodmeal five days after acquisition of an initial, dengue 4 virus containing bloodmeal resulted in an increased number of virions present in the midgut epithelium adjacent to the BL. Thus, subsequent bloodmeal ingestion by an infected mosquito may primarily stimulate de novo synthesis of virions leading to increased viral titers in the vector.
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Baia-da-Silva DC, Orfanó AS, Nacif-Pimenta R, de Melo FF, Guerra MGVB, Lacerda MVG, Monteiro WM, Pimenta PFP. Microanatomy of the American Malaria Vector Anopheles aquasalis (Diptera: Culicidae: Anophelinae) Midgut: Ultrastructural and Histochemical Observations. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 56:1636-1649. [PMID: 31321415 PMCID: PMC6821279 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjz114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The mosquito gut is divided into foregut, midgut, and hindgut. The midgut functions in storage and digestion of the bloodmeal. This study used light, scanning (SEM), and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy to analyze in detail the microanatomy and morphology of the midgut of nonblood-fed Anopheles aquasalis females. The midgut epithelium is a monolayer of columnar epithelial cells that is composed of two populations: microvillar epithelial cells and basal cells. The microvillar epithelial cells can be further subdivided into light and dark cells, based on their affinities to toluidine blue and their electron density. FITC-labeling of the anterior midgut and posterior midgut with lectins resulted in different fluorescence intensities, indicating differences in carbohydrate residues. SEM revealed a complex muscle network composed of circular and longitudinal fibers that surround the entire midgut. In summary, the use of a diverse set of morphological methods revealed the general microanatomy of the midgut and associated tissues of An. aquasalis, which is a major vector of Plasmodium spp. (Haemosporida: Plasmodiidae) in America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Djane C Baia-da-Silva
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, Dom Pedro, Manaus CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, Manaus CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Alessandra S Orfanó
- Instituto Leônidas and Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Manaus, Rua Terezina, Adrianópolis, CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Rafael Nacif-Pimenta
- Instituto Leônidas and Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Manaus, Rua Terezina, Adrianópolis, CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Fabricio F de Melo
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Rua Hormindo Barros, Candeias, CEP, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil
| | - Maria G V B Guerra
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, Dom Pedro, Manaus CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, Manaus CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Marcus V G Lacerda
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, Dom Pedro, Manaus CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, Manaus CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Minas Gerais, Av. Augusto de Lima, Barro Preto, CEP, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Wuelton M Monteiro
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, Dom Pedro, Manaus CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, Manaus CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Paulo F P Pimenta
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, Dom Pedro, Manaus CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, Manaus CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Instituto Leônidas and Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Manaus, Rua Terezina, Adrianópolis, CEP, Manaus, AM, Brazil
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Kantor AM, Grant DG, Balaraman V, White TA, Franz AWE. Ultrastructural Analysis of Chikungunya Virus Dissemination from the Midgut of the Yellow Fever Mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Viruses 2018; 10:E571. [PMID: 30340365 PMCID: PMC6213114 DOI: 10.3390/v10100571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The transmission cycle of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) requires that mosquito vectors get persistently infected with the virus, following its oral acqsuisition from a vertebrate host. The mosquito midgut is the initial organ that gets infected with orally acquired CHIKV. Following its replication in the midgut epithelium, the virus exits the midgut and infects secondary tissues including the salivary glands before being transmitted to another host. Here, we investigate the pattern of CHIKV dissemination from the midgut of Aedes aegypti at the ultrastructural level. Bloodmeal ingestion caused overstretching of the midgut basal lamina (BL), which was disrupted in areas adjacent to muscles surrounding the midgut as shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Using both transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) to analyze midgut preparations, mature chikungunya (CHIK) virions were found accumulating at the BL and within strands of the BL at 24⁻32 h post-infectious bloodmeal (pibm). From 48 h pibm onwards, virions no longer congregated at the BL and became dispersed throughout the basal labyrinth of the epithelial cells. Ingestion of a subsequent, non-infectious bloodmeal caused mature virions to congregate again at the midgut BL. Our study suggests that CHIKV needs a single replication cycle in the midgut epithelium before mature virions directly traverse the midgut BL during a relatively narrow time window, within 48 h pibm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asher M. Kantor
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (A.M.K.); (V.B.)
| | - DeAna G. Grant
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (D.G.G.); (T.A.W.)
| | - Velmurugan Balaraman
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (A.M.K.); (V.B.)
| | - Tommi A. White
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (D.G.G.); (T.A.W.)
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Alexander W. E. Franz
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (A.M.K.); (V.B.)
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Kumar A, Srivastava P, Sirisena P, Dubey SK, Kumar R, Shrinet J, Sunil S. Mosquito Innate Immunity. INSECTS 2018; 9:insects9030095. [PMID: 30096752 PMCID: PMC6165528 DOI: 10.3390/insects9030095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2018] [Revised: 06/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Mosquitoes live under the endless threat of infections from different kinds of pathogens such as bacteria, parasites, and viruses. The mosquito defends itself by employing both physical and physiological barriers that resist the entry of the pathogen and the subsequent establishment of the pathogen within the mosquito. However, if the pathogen does gain entry into the insect, the insect mounts a vigorous innate cellular and humoral immune response against the pathogen, thereby limiting the pathogen's propagation to nonpathogenic levels. This happens through three major mechanisms: phagocytosis, melanization, and lysis. During these processes, various signaling pathways that engage intense mosquito⁻pathogen interactions are activated. A critical overview of the mosquito immune system and latest information about the interaction between mosquitoes and pathogens are provided in this review. The conserved, innate immune pathways and specific anti-pathogenic strategies in mosquito midgut, hemolymph, salivary gland, and neural tissues for the control of pathogen propagation are discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Kumar
- Vector Borne Diseases Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi-110067, India.
| | - Priyanshu Srivastava
- Vector Borne Diseases Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi-110067, India.
| | - Pdnn Sirisena
- Vector Borne Diseases Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi-110067, India.
| | - Sunil Kumar Dubey
- Vector Borne Diseases Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi-110067, India.
| | - Ramesh Kumar
- Vector Borne Diseases Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi-110067, India.
| | - Jatin Shrinet
- Vector Borne Diseases Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi-110067, India.
| | - Sujatha Sunil
- Vector Borne Diseases Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi-110067, India.
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Liu T, Xu Y, Wang X, Gu J, Yan G, Chen XG. Antiviral systems in vector mosquitoes. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 83:34-43. [PMID: 29294302 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2017.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Mosquito-borne viral diseases represent a major challenge to human public health. As natural vectors of arboviruses, mosquitoes can be infected by a virus, but they have evolved multiple mechanisms to tolerate constant infection and restrict viral replication via their antiviral immune system. In a state of continuous infection, a mosquito can transmit an arbovirus while obtaining a blood meal from a mammalian host. During infection, the virus is mainly inhibited through a small RNA-mediated interference mechanism. Within mosquitoes, the invaded viruses are recognized based on pathogen-associated molecular patterns, leading to the production of cytokines. These cytokines in turn bind pattern recognition receptors and activate Toll, IMD and other immune signalling pathways to expand the immune response and induce antiviral activity via immune effectors. Interestingly, the gut microbiota and Wolbachia also play a role in mosquito antiviral immunity, which is very similar to acquired immunity. This review describes the advances made in understanding various aspects of mosquito antiviral immune molecular mechanisms in detail and explores some of the unresolved issues related to the mosquito immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ye Xu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinbao Gu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guiyun Yan
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Program in Public Health, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, USA
| | - Xiao-Guang Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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Nuss AB, Brown MR, Murty US, Gulia-Nuss M. Insulin receptor knockdown blocks filarial parasite development and alters egg production in the southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006413. [PMID: 29649225 PMCID: PMC5918164 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, is a painful and profoundly disfiguring disease. Wuchreria bancrofti (Wb) is responsible for >90% of infections and the remainder are caused by Brugia spp. Mosquitoes of the genera Culex (in urban and semi-urban areas), Anopheles (in rural areas of Africa and elsewhere), and Aedes (in Pacific islands) are the major vectors of W. bancrofti. A preventive chemotherapy called mass drug administration (MDA), including albendazole with ivermectin or diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) is used in endemic areas. Vector control strategies such as residual insecticide spraying and long-lasting insecticidal nets are supplemental to the core strategy of MDA to enhance elimination efforts. However, increasing insecticide resistance in mosquitoes and drug resistance in parasite limit the effectiveness of existing interventions, and new measures are needed for mosquito population control and disruption of mosquito-parasite interactions to reduce transmission. Mosquito insulin signaling regulates nutrient metabolism and has been implicated in reduced prevalence and intensity of malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, infection in mosquitoes. Currently no data are available to assess how insulin signaling in mosquitoes affects the development of multi-cellular parasites, such as filarial nematodes. Here, we show that insulin receptor knockdown in blood fed C. quinquefasciatus, the major vector of Wb in India, completely blocks the development of filarial nematode parasite to the infective L3 stage, and results in decreased ecdysteroid production and trypsin activity leading to fewer mosquito eggs. These data indicate that a functional mosquito insulin receptor (IR) is necessary for filarial parasite development and mosquito reproduction. Therefore, insulin signaling may represent a new target for the development of vector control or parasite blocking strategies. Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is caused by infection with nematodes of the family Filarioidea. 90% of infections are caused by Wuchereria bancrofti and the remainder by Brugia spp. In endemic countries, LF has a major social and economic impact with an estimated annual loss of $1 billion. Filarial infection can cause a variety of clinical manifestations, including lymphoedema of the limbs, genital disease (hydrocele, and swelling of the scrotum and penis) and recurrent acute attacks, which are extremely painful and are accompanied by fever. As one of the leading causes of global disability, LF accounts for at least 2.8 million disability-adjusted life year (DALY). Mass drug administration (MDA) is used prophylactically on the community level where the infection is present to decrease disease transmission. These drugs have limited effect on adult parasites but effectively reduce microfilariae in the bloodstream and prevent the spread of microfilaria to mosquitoes. Use of mosquito population control strategies is supplemental to the core strategy of MDA. However, increasing insecticide resistance in mosquitoes and drug resistant nematode parasites are complicating elimination efforts and emphasizes the need for novel interventions for vector control and parasite transmission. Insulin signaling is a highly conserved signaling pathway that regulates growth and nutrient homeostasis in animals. Our previous work in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes showed additional roles of insulin receptor signaling in blood digestion and reproduction. The present data strongly supports our previous findings in a different mosquito species and further explores the role of mosquito insulin receptor in the development of the filarial nematode to the infective stage. This information is pertinent to ongoing efforts to control and eradicate filariasis because insulin signaling may represent a new target for the development of vector control or transmission blocking strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Bradley Nuss
- Department of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Veterinary Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, United States of America
- * E-mail: (ABN); (MGN)
| | - Mark R. Brown
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | | | - Monika Gulia-Nuss
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, United States of America
- * E-mail: (ABN); (MGN)
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12
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Baia-da-Silva DC, Alvarez LCS, Lizcano OV, Costa FTM, Lopes SCP, Orfanó AS, Pascoal DO, Nacif-Pimenta R, Rodriguez IC, Guerra MDGVB, Lacerda MVG, Secundino NFC, Monteiro WM, Pimenta PFP. The role of the peritrophic matrix and red blood cell concentration in Plasmodium vivax infection of Anopheles aquasalis. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:148. [PMID: 29510729 PMCID: PMC5840820 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2752-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Plasmodium vivax is predominant in the Amazon region, and enhanced knowledge of its development inside a natural vector, Anopheles aquasalis, is critical for future strategies aimed at blocking parasite development. The peritrophic matrix (PM), a chitinous layer produced by the mosquito midgut in response to blood ingestion, is a protective barrier against pathogens. Plasmodium can only complete its life-cycle, and consequently be transmitted to a new host, after successfully passing this barrier. Interestingly, fully engorged mosquitoes that had a complete blood meal form a thicker, well-developed PM than ones that feed in small amounts. The amount of red blood cells (RBC) in the blood meal directly influences the production of digestive enzymes and can protect parasites from being killed during the meal digestion. A specific study interrupting the development of the PM associated with the proteolytic activity inhibition, and distinct RBC concentrations, during the P. vivax infection of the New World malaria vector An. aquasalis is expected to clarify whether these factors affect the parasite development. Results Absence of PM in the vector caused a significant reduction in P. vivax infection. However, the association of chitinase with trypsin inhibitor restored infection rates to those of mosquitoes with a structured PM. Also, only the ingestion of trypsin inhibitor by non-chitinase treated mosquitoes increased the infection intensity. Moreover, the RBC concentration in the infected P. vivax blood meal directly influenced the infection rate and its intensity. A straight correlation was observed between RBC concentrations and infection intensity. Conclusions This study established that there is a balance between the PM role, RBC concentration and digestive enzyme activity influencing the establishment and development of P. vivax infection inside An. aquasalis. Our results indicate that the absence of PM in the midgut facilitates digestive enzyme dispersion throughout the blood meal, causing direct damage to P. vivax. On the other hand, high RBC concentrations support a better and thick, well-developed PM and protect P. vivax from being killed. Further studies of this complex system may provide insights into other details of the malaria vector response to P. vivax infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Djane Clarys Baia-da-Silva
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, AM, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Luis Carlos Salazar Alvarez
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, AM, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Omaira Vera Lizcano
- Grupo de Investigación QUIBIO, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
| | - Fabio Trindade Maranhão Costa
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Bioagents, Institute of Biology, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Stefanie Costa Pinto Lopes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil.,Instituto Leônidas & Maria Deane, Fiocruz, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Silva Orfanó
- Instituto de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Denner Oliveira Pascoal
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Rafael Nacif-Pimenta
- Instituto de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Iria Cabral Rodriguez
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Maria das Graças Vale Barbosa Guerra
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, AM, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Marcus Vinicius Guimarães Lacerda
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil.,Instituto Leônidas & Maria Deane, Fiocruz, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | | | - Wuelton Marcelo Monteiro
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, AM, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Paulo Filemon Paolucci Pimenta
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, AM, Brazil. .,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil. .,Instituto de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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13
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Dong S, Kantor AM, Lin J, Passarelli AL, Clem RJ, Franz AWE. Infection pattern and transmission potential of chikungunya virus in two New World laboratory-adapted Aedes aegypti strains. Sci Rep 2016; 6:24729. [PMID: 27102548 PMCID: PMC4840389 DOI: 10.1038/srep24729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an emerging mosquito-borne virus belonging to the Togaviridae, which is transmitted to humans by Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus. We describe the infection pattern of CHIKV in two New World Ae. aegypti strains, HWE and ORL. Both mosquito strains were susceptible to the virus but showed different infection patterns in midguts and salivary glands. Even though acquisition of a bloodmeal showed moderate levels of apoptosis in midgut tissue, there was no obvious additional CHIKV-induced apoptosis detectable during midgut infection. Analysis of expression of apoptosis-related genes suggested that CHIKV infection dampens rather than promotes apoptosis in the mosquito midgut. In both mosquito strains, the virus was present in saliva within two days post-oral infection. HWE and ORL mosquitoes exhibited no salivary gland infection barrier; however, only 60% (HWE) to 65% (ORL) of the females had released the virus in their saliva at one week post-oral acquisition, suggesting a salivary gland escape barrier. CHIKV induced an apoptotic response in salivary glands of HWE and ORL mosquitoes, demonstrating that the virus caused pathology in its natural vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengzhang Dong
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Asher M Kantor
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Jingyi Lin
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
| | - A Lorena Passarelli
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Rollie J Clem
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Alexander W E Franz
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
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14
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Godoy RSM, Fernandes KM, Martins GF. Midgut of the non-hematophagous mosquito Toxorhynchites theobaldi (Diptera, Culicidae). Sci Rep 2015; 5:15836. [PMID: 26514271 PMCID: PMC4626790 DOI: 10.1038/srep15836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In most mosquito species, the females require a blood-feeding for complete egg development. However, in Toxorhynchites mosquitoes, the eggs develop without blood-feeding, and both females and males exclusively feed on sugary diets. The midgut is a well-understood organ in blood-feeding mosquitoes, but little is known about it in non-blood-feeding ones. In the present study, the detailed morphology of the midgut of Toxorhynchites theobaldi were investigated using histochemical and ultrastructural methods. The midgut of female and male T. theobaldi adults consists of a long, slender anterior midgut (AMG), and a short, dilated posterior midgut (PMG). The AMG is subdivided into AMG1 (short, with folds) and AMG2 (long, without folds). Nerve branches and enteroendocrine cells are present in AMG and PMG, respectively. Compared with the PMG of blood-feeding female mosquitoes, the PMG of T. theobaldi is smaller; however, in both mosquitoes, PMG seems be the main region of food digestion and absorption, and protein secretion. The epithelial folds present in the AMG of T. theobaldi have not been reported in other mosquitoes; however, the midgut muscle organization and endocrine control of the digestion process are conserved in both T. theobaldi and blood-feeding mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel S M Godoy
- Departamento de Biologia Geral-Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900 Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Kenner M Fernandes
- Departamento de Biologia Geral-Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900 Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Gustavo F Martins
- Departamento de Biologia Geral-Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900 Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil
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15
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Borges-Veloso A, Saboia-Vahia L, Dias-Lopes G, Domont GB, Britto C, Cuervo P, De Jesus JB. In-depth characterization of trypsin-like serine peptidases in the midgut of the sugar fed Culex quinquefasciatus. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:373. [PMID: 26174750 PMCID: PMC4502911 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0985-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Culex quinquefasciatus is a hematophagous insect from the Culicidae family that feeds on the blood of humans, dogs, birds and livestock. This species transmits a wide variety of pathogens between humans and animals. The midgut environment is the first location of pathogen-vector interactions for blood-feeding mosquitoes and the expression of specific peptidases in the early stages of feeding could influence the outcome of the infection. Trypsin-like serine peptidases belong to a multi-gene family that can be expressed in different isoforms under distinct physiological conditions. However, the confident assignment of the trypsin genes that are expressed under each condition is still a challenge due to the large number of trypsin-coding genes in the Culicidae family and most likely because they are low abundance proteins. METHODS We used zymography for the biochemical characterization of the peptidase profile of the midgut from C. quinquefasciatus females fed on sugar. Protein samples were also submitted to SDS-PAGE followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis for peptidase identification. The peptidases sequences were analyzed with bioinformatics tools to assess their distinct features. RESULTS Zymography revealed that trypsin-like serine peptidases were responsible for the proteolytic activity in the midgut of females fed on sugar diet. After denaturation in SDS-PAGE, eight trypsin-like serine peptidases were identified by LC-MS/MS. These peptidases have structural features typical of invertebrate digestive trypsin peptidases but exhibited singularities at the protein sequence level such as: the presence of different amino acids at the autocatalytic motif and substrate binding regions as well as different number of disulfide bounds. Data mining revealed a group of trypsin-like serine peptidases that are specific to C. quinquefasciatus when compared to the culicids genomes sequenced so far. CONCLUSION We demonstrated that proteomics approaches combined with bioinformatics tools and zymographic analysis can lead to the functional annotation of trypsin-like serine peptidases coding genes and aid in the understanding of the complexity of peptidase expression in mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Borges-Veloso
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Leonardo Saboia-Vahia
- Laboratorio de Pesquisa em Leishmaniose, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Pav. Leônidas Deane, Sala 509, CEP: 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Geovane Dias-Lopes
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Gilberto B Domont
- Unidade de Proteômica, Laboratório de Química de Proteínas, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Constança Britto
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Patricia Cuervo
- Laboratorio de Pesquisa em Leishmaniose, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Pav. Leônidas Deane, Sala 509, CEP: 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Jose B De Jesus
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. .,Departamento de Medicina, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei, São João del Rei, MG, Brasil.
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16
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Franz AWE, Kantor AM, Passarelli AL, Clem RJ. Tissue Barriers to Arbovirus Infection in Mosquitoes. Viruses 2015; 7:3741-67. [PMID: 26184281 PMCID: PMC4517124 DOI: 10.3390/v7072795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 271] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2015] [Revised: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) circulate in nature between arthropod vectors and vertebrate hosts. Arboviruses often cause devastating diseases in vertebrate hosts, but they typically do not cause significant pathology in their arthropod vectors. Following oral acquisition of a viremic bloodmeal from a vertebrate host, the arbovirus disease cycle requires replication in the cellular environment of the arthropod vector. Once the vector has become systemically and persistently infected, the vector is able to transmit the virus to an uninfected vertebrate host. In order to systemically infect the vector, the virus must cope with innate immune responses and overcome several tissue barriers associated with the midgut and the salivary glands. In this review we describe, in detail, the typical arbovirus infection route in competent mosquito vectors. Based on what is known from the literature, we explain the nature of the tissue barriers that arboviruses are confronted with in a mosquito vector and how arboviruses might surmount these barriers. We also point out controversial findings to highlight particular areas that are not well understood and require further research efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander W E Franz
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
| | - Asher M Kantor
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
| | | | - Rollie J Clem
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
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17
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Dias-Lopes G, Borges-Veloso A, Saboia-Vahia L, Domont GB, Britto C, Cuervo P, De Jesus JB. Expression of active trypsin-like serine peptidases in the midgut of sugar-feeding female Anopheles aquasalis. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:296. [PMID: 26021986 PMCID: PMC4459661 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0908-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anopheles aquasalis is a dipteran of the family Culicidae that is widely distributed in the coastal regions of South and Central America. This species acts as a vector of Plasmodium vivax, an important etiological agent of malaria, which represents a serious public health problem. In mosquitoes, trypsin-like serine proteases are important in blood meal digestion, immune responses and reproductive functions. The study of peptidases expressed in the mosquito midgut is essential to understanding the mechanisms of parasite-host interaction and the physiological process of nutrient digestion. METHODS Our study aimed to identify and characterize the proteolytic activities in the midgut of sugar-fed An. aquasalis females using zymographic analyses (substrate-SDS-PAGE), in-solution assays and mass spectrometry. RESULTS Here, we used a zymographic analysis to further biochemically characterize the proteolytic profile of the midgut of sugar-feeding An. aquasalis females. The trypsin peptidases migrated between ~17 and ~76 kDa and displayed higher proteolytic activities between pH 7.5 and 10 and at temperatures between 37 °C and 50 °C. Four putative trypsin-like serine peptidases were identified using mass spectrometry and data mining. The molecular masses of these peptidases were similar to those observed using zymography, which suggested that these peptidases could be responsible for some of the observed proteolytic bands. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our results contribute to the gene annotation of the unknown genome of this species, to the tissue location of these peptidases, and to the functional prediction of these crucial enzymes, which all impact further studies of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geovane Dias-Lopes
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas - Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Andre Borges-Veloso
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas - Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Leonardo Saboia-Vahia
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmaniose - Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Pav. 26, Sala 509, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Gilberto B Domont
- Laboratório de Química de Proteínas, Departamento de Química, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Constança Britto
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas - Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Patricia Cuervo
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmaniose - Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Pav. 26, Sala 509, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Jose Batista De Jesus
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas - Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. .,Departamento de Medicina, Faculdade de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São João Del Rey, São João del Rei, MG, Brazil.
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18
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Two cathepsins B are responsible for the yolk protein hydrolysis in Culex quinquefasciatus. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0118736. [PMID: 25710877 PMCID: PMC4339980 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the established role of Culex quinquefasciatus as a vector of various neurotropic viruses, such as the Rift Valley and West Nile viruses, as well as lymphatic filariasis, little is known regarding the organism’s reproductive physiology. As in other oviparous animals, vitellogenin, the most important source of nutrients for the embryo development, is digested by intracellular proteases. Using mass spectrometry, we have identified two cathepsin B homologues partially purified by self-proteolysis of Cx. quinquefasciatus total egg extract. The transcriptional profile of these two cathepsin B homologues was determined by quantitative RT-PCR, and the enzymatic activity associated with the peptidase was determined in ovaries after female engorgement. According to the VectorBase (vectorbase.org) annotation, both cathepsin B homologues shared approximately 66% identity in their amino acid sequences. The two cathepsin B genes are expressed simultaneously in the fat body of the vitellogenic females, and enzymatic activity was detected within the ovaries, suggesting an extra-ovarian origin. Similar to the transcriptional profile of vitellogenin, cathepsin B transcripts were shown to accumulate post-blood meal and reached their highest expression at 36 h PBM. However, while vitellogenin expression decreased drastically at 48 h PBM, the expression of the cathepsins increased until 84 h PBM, at which time the females of our colony were ready for oviposition. The similarity between their transcriptional profiles strongly suggests a role for the cathepsin B homologues in vitellin degradation.
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19
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Urbanek A, Rost-Roszkowska MM. Ultrastructural studies on the midgut of biting midge Forcipomyia nigra (Winnertz) (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Micron 2014; 69:25-34. [PMID: 25437853 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2014.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Revised: 10/17/2014] [Accepted: 11/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Biting midges belonging to the genus Forcipomyia are known to be hematophagous, predatory or saprophagous. Different stages of Forcipomyia nigra midges were investigated to provide a description of midgut ultrastructure. Larvae feeding on decaying organic matter possess simple, straight alimentary tracts whose middle regions are the longest. TEM studies of the larval midgut epithelium reveal that digestive cells show different ultrastructure depending on their age. The older cells with electron-dense cytoplasm degenerate while the younger ones with electron-lucent cytoplasm remain active in digestion. In saprophagous females, the ultrastructure of midgut epithelium changes according to the age of flies. Oogenesis induces degeneration of digestive cells and utilization of reserve material accumulated by them. The midgut epithelia of male midges consist of digestive and regenerative cells that show no evidence of cell degeneration as observed in females. Our results demonstrate differences between midgut digestive cells of males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Urbanek
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Parasitology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland.
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Yue C, Hua B. Embryonic development of the alimentary canal of the scorpionflyPanorpa obtusaCheng (Mecoptera: Panorpidae). Microsc Res Tech 2013; 76:457-66. [DOI: 10.1002/jemt.22187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Revised: 12/26/2012] [Accepted: 01/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Education Ministry, Entomological Museum; Northwest A&F University; Yangling; Shaanxi; 712100; China
| | - Baozhen Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Education Ministry, Entomological Museum; Northwest A&F University; Yangling; Shaanxi; 712100; China
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21
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Zhou G, Isoe J, Day WA, Miesfeld RL. Alpha-COPI coatomer protein is required for rough endoplasmic reticulum whorl formation in mosquito midgut epithelial cells. PLoS One 2011; 6:e18150. [PMID: 21483820 PMCID: PMC3069061 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0018150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2010] [Accepted: 02/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background One of the early events in midgut epithelial cells of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes is the dynamic reorganization of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) whorl structures coincident with the onset of blood meal digestion. Based on our previous studies showing that feeding on an amino acid meal induces TOR signaling in Ae. aegypti, we used proteomics and RNAi to functionally identify midgut epithelial cell proteins that contribute to RER whorl formation. Methodology/Principal Findings Adult female Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were maintained on sugar alone (unfed), or fed an amino acid meal, and then midgut epithelial cells were analyzed by electron microscopy and protein biochemistry. The size and number of RER whorls in midgut epithelial cells were found to decrease significantly after feeding, and several KDEL-containing proteins were shown to have altered expression levels. LC-MS/MS mass spectrometry was used to analyze midgut microsomal proteins isolated from unfed and amino acid fed mosquitoes, and of the 127 proteins identified, 8 were chosen as candidate whorl forming proteins. Three candidate proteins were COPI coatomer subunits (alpha, beta, beta'), all of which appeared to be present at higher levels in microsomal fractions from unfed mosquitoes. Using RNAi to knockdown alpha-COPI expression, electron microscopy revealed that both the size and number of RER whorls were dramatically reduced in unfed mosquitoes, and moreover, that extended regions of swollen RER were prevalent in fed mosquitoes. Lastly, while a deficiency in alpha-COPI had no effect on early trypsin protein synthesis or secretion 3 hr post blood meal (PBM), expression of late phase proteases at 24 hr PBM was completely blocked. Conclusions alpha-COPI was found to be required for the formation of RER whorls in midgut epithelial cells of unfed Aa. aegypti mosquitoes, as well as for the expression of late phase midgut proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoli Zhou
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Jun Isoe
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - W. Antony Day
- Arizona Research Labs, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Roger L. Miesfeld
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Cardoso AF, Cres RL, Moura AS, Almeida FD, Bijovsky AT. Culex quinquefasciatus vitellogenesis: morphological and biochemical aspects. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2010; 105:254-62. [DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762010000300003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2009] [Accepted: 02/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Smith RC, Jacobs-Lorena M. Plasmodium-Mosquito Interactions: A Tale of Roadblocks and Detours. ADVANCES IN INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2010; 39:119-149. [PMID: 23729903 PMCID: PMC3666160 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-381387-9.00004-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C Smith
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Azevedo DO, Neves CA, Mallet JRDS, Gonçalves TCM, Zanuncio JC, Serrão JE. Notes on midgut ultrastructure of cimex hemipterus (Hemiptera: Cimicidae). JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2009; 46:435-41. [PMID: 19496410 DOI: 10.1603/033.046.0304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
This work studied the ultrastructure of the midgut cells of Cimex hemipterus Fabricius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae). The midgut of adult insects was analyzed on different days after a bloodmeal, and three anatomical regions with different digestive functions were apparent. In the anterior midgut, the digestive cells had many spherocrystals, lipid inclusions, and glycogen deposits, suggesting a role in water absorption, ion regulation, digestion, and storage of lipids and sugars. The digestive cells in the middle midgut contained secretory granules in the apical cytoplasm, lysosomes, and large amounts of rough endoplasmic reticulum, suggesting that this midgut region was active in digestive processes. The posterior midgut contained digestive cells with secretory vesicles, lysosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and spherocrystals, suggesting digestion and ion/water absorption. Also, there was strong evidence that the posterior midgut may be the major site of nutrient absorption. The hematophagous heteropteran groups share many of these blood digestion mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dihego Oliveira Azevedo
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, Viçosa, MG, CEP 36570-000, Brazil
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Barbazan P, Palabodeewat S, Nitatpattana N, Gonzalez JP. Detection of host virus-reactive antibodies in blood meals of naturally engorged mosquitoes. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2008; 9:103-8. [PMID: 18973442 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2007.0242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although serosurvey in human or animals is a useful and straightforward strategy routinely used for public health, it often faces different types of impediments: ethics, beliefs, limitation by animal owners, hazard of access to wild animals. To survey virus circulation, we applied the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique to detect Dengue and Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus-reactive antibodies in blood meals collected from mosquitoes without regard to the potential of mosquito species to be a virus vector. ELISA was performed on mosquito colonies and wild specimens collected from farms and urban areas. Blood meals from Aedes aegypti freshly fed on naturally infected volunteers showed the same levels of dengue immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM as the sera directly collected from volunteers. A significant clearance of antibodies during the digestion process started from 13 hours after blood meal, and a negative baseline was reached after 30 hours. The ELISA test performed on wild mosquitoes showed that 37% of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes that engorged on humans in a dengue urban endemic area tested positive for dengue IgG, and in a JE virus-endemic area, 88% of Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes that engorged on pigs from a large pig farm tested positive for JE virus antibodies versus 11% in a small farm. The main limitation of the ELISA method is the antibody cross-reactivity among flaviviruses; also, sampling strategy should be adjusted to take into account that the actual host from which the blood meal was taken may not be determined. Nevertheless, ELISA performed on recently (1-2 days) engorged mosquito, or any other hematophagous arthropod species, could potentially be used as a "wild phlebotomist" to monitor the prevalence or emergence of a variety of pathogens, with less of the practical, ethical, or risk limitations due to direct blood collection from humans and wild or domestic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Barbazan
- Department of Center for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Nacer A, Walker K, Hurd H. Localisation of laminin within Plasmodium berghei oocysts and the midgut epithelial cells of Anopheles stephensi. Parasit Vectors 2008; 1:33. [PMID: 18808667 PMCID: PMC2556657 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-1-33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2008] [Accepted: 09/22/2008] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Oocysts of the malaria parasite form and develop in close proximity to the mosquito midgut basal lamina and it has been proposed that components of this structure play a crucial role in the development and maturation of oocysts that produce infective sporozoites. It is further suggested that oocysts incorporate basal lamina proteins into their capsule and that this provides them with a means to evade recognition by the mosquito's immune system. The site of production of basal lamina proteins in insects is controversial and it is still unclear whether haemocytes or midgut epithelial cells are the main source of components of the mosquito midgut basal lamina. Of the multiple molecules that compose the basal lamina, laminin is known to interact with a number of Plasmodium proteins. In this study, the localisation of mosquito laminin within the capsule and cytoplasm of Plasmodium berghei oocysts and in the midgut epithelial cells of Anopheles stephensi was investigated. Results An ultrastructural examination of midgut sections from infected and uninfected An. stephensi was performed. Post-embedded immunogold labelling demonstrated the presence of laminin within the mosquito basal lamina. Laminin was also detected on the outer surface of the oocyst capsule, incorporated within the capsule and associated with sporozoites forming within the oocysts. Laminin was also found within cells of the midgut epithelium, providing support for the hypothesis that these cells contribute towards the formation of the midgut basal lamina. Conclusion We suggest that ookinetes may become coated in laminin as they pass through the midgut epithelium. Thereafter, laminin secreted by midgut epithelial cells and/or haemocytes, binds to the outer surface of the oocyst capsule and that some passes through and is incorporated into the developing oocysts. The localisation of laminin on sporozoites was unexpected and the importance of this observation is less clear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adéla Nacer
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK.
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Okuda K, de Almeida F, Mortara RA, Krieger H, Marinotti O, Bijovsky AT. Cell death and regeneration in the midgut of the mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2007; 53:1307-15. [PMID: 17716685 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2007.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2007] [Revised: 07/06/2007] [Accepted: 07/10/2007] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Haematophagy, the utilization of blood as food, has evolved independently among insects such as mosquitoes, bedbugs, fleas, and others. Accordingly, several distinct biological adaptations have occurred in order to facilitate the finding, ingestion and digestion of blood from vertebrate sources. Although blood meals are essential for survival and reproduction of these insects, mechanical and chemical stresses are caused by the ingestion of a sizable meal (frequently twice or more times the weight of the insect) containing large amounts of cytotoxic molecules such as haem. Here we present data showing that the stresses caused by a blood meal induce cell death in the midgut epithelium of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. The process involves apoptosis, ejection of dead cells to the midgut lumen and differentiation of basal regenerative cells to replace the lost digestive cells. The basal cell differentiation in blood-fed mosquito midguts represents an additional mechanism by which insects cope with the stresses caused by blood meals. C. quinquefasciatus adult females are unable to replace lost cells following a third or fourth blood meal, which may have a significant impact on mosquito longevity, reproduction and vectorial capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendi Okuda
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 1374, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
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Rost-Roszkowska M, Kubala A, Nowak B, Pilarczyk S, Klag J. Ultrastructure of alimentary tract formation in embryos of two insect species: Melasoma saliceti and Chrysolina pardalina (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae). ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2007; 36:351-360. [PMID: 18089113 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2007.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2006] [Revised: 02/12/2007] [Accepted: 03/13/2007] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Embryogenesis of the alimentary tract in two chrysomelid species (Chrysolina pardalina and Melasoma saliceti) is described. The embryonic development of both species lasts 7days at room temperature. Stomodaeum and proctodaeum invaginate at the anterior and posterior ends of the germ band. Together with the ectodermal tissue the endoderm cells also enter into the embryo. The anterior and posterior parts of the alimentary tract wedge into the yolk in the form of conical structures. The endodermal cells remain at the yolk surface and start migration over the yolk mass as two lateral bands of cells. The endoderm is always accompanied by mesoderm. On the fifth day of development the endodermal cells together with the mesoderm layer spread over the ventral and dorsal sides of the yolk mass and form the single layered primordium of the midgut epithelium. On the sixth day of development a basal lamina appears between the endoderm and the mesoderm cells and differentiation of both tissues starts. The endodermal epithelium cells change shape from flat to cuboidal and eventually into columnar. Mesoderm cells differentiate into muscle and tracheae. On the 7thday of development stomodaeum and proctodaeum become lined with cuticle and the midgut becomes covered with microvilli. The yolk cells populating the yolk mass do not contribute to midgut formation in the species studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Rost-Roszkowska
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Silesian University, 9 Bankowa str., Katowice 40-007, Poland
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Sodja A, Fujioka H, Lemos FJA, Donnelly-Doman M, Jacobs-Lorena M. Induction of actin gene expression in the mosquito midgut by blood ingestion correlates with striking changes of cell shape. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2007; 53:833-9. [PMID: 17537455 PMCID: PMC2756156 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2007.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2007] [Revised: 03/19/2007] [Accepted: 03/20/2007] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Ingestion of a blood meal by the female mosquito Anopheles gambiae (L., Diptera: Culicidae), results in a dramatic distention of the midgut epithelium. Here, we report that these events correlate with a transient increase of actin mRNA and protein abundance. The newly synthesized actin may provide a pool of actin protein needed to remodel epithelial cell cytoarchitecture. We also document changes in midgut epithelial cell morphology. Upon blood ingestion, the columnar cells flatten accompanied by the loss of microvilli on the lumenal side and the unfolding of the labyrinth on the basal side. These changes correlate with the large increase of epithelial surface area needed to accommodate the blood meal. Actin gene expression, actin synthesis and cell morphology all return to the pre-feeding state by 24 h after blood intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Sodja
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
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Spatial and sex-specific dissection of the Anopheles gambiae midgut transcriptome. BMC Genomics 2007; 8:37. [PMID: 17261194 PMCID: PMC1804276 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-8-37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2006] [Accepted: 01/29/2007] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The midgut of hematophagous insects, such as disease transmitting mosquitoes, carries out a variety of essential functions that mostly relate to blood feeding. The midgut of the female malaria vector mosquito Anopheles gambiae is a major site of interactions between the parasite and the vector. Distinct compartments and cell types of the midgut tissue carry out specific functions and vector borne pathogens interact and infect different parts of the midgut. Results A microarray based global gene expression approach was used to compare transcript abundance in the four major female midgut compartments (cardia, anterior, anterior part of posterior and posterior part of posterior midgut) and between the male and female Anopheles gambiae midgut. Major differences between the female and male midgut gene expression relate to digestive processes and immunity. Each compartment has a distinct gene function profile with the posterior midgut expressing digestive enzyme genes and the cardia and anterior midgut expressing high levels of antimicrobial peptide and other immune gene transcripts. Interestingly, the cardia expressed several known anti-Plasmodium factors. A parallel peptidomic analysis of the cardia identified known mosquito antimicrobial peptides as well as several putative short secreted peptides that are likely to represent novel antimicrobial factors. Conclusion The A. gambiae sex specific midgut and female midgut compartment specific transcriptomes correlates with their known functions. The significantly greater functional diversity of the female midgut relate to hematophagy that is associated with digestion and nutrition uptake as well as exposes it to a variety of pathogens, and promotes growth of its endogenous microbial flora. The strikingly high proportion of immunity related factors in the cardia tissue most likely serves the function to increase sterility of ingested sugar and blood. A detailed characterization of the functional specificities of the female mosquito midgut and its various compartments can greatly contribute to our understanding of its role in disease transmission and generate the necessary tools for the development of malaria control strategies.
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Vaidyanathan R, Scott TW. Apoptosis in mosquito midgut epithelia associated with West Nile virus infection. Apoptosis 2006; 11:1643-51. [PMID: 16820968 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-006-8783-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The mosquito Culex pipiens pipiens is a documented vector of West Nile virus (WNV, Flaviviridae, Flavivirus). Our laboratory colony of C. p. pipiens, however, was repeatedly refractory to experimental transmission of WNV. Our goal was to identify if a cellular process was inhibiting virus infection of the midgut. We examined midguts of mosquitoes fed control and WNV-infected blood meals. Three days after feeding, epithelial cells from abdominal midguts of mosquitoes fed on WNV fluoresced under an FITC filter following Acridine Orange staining, indicating apoptosis in this region. Epithelial cells from experimental samples examined by TEM exhibited ultrastructural changes consistent with apoptosis, including shrinkage and detachment from neighbors, heterochromatin condensation, nuclear degranulation, and engulfment of apoptotic bodies by adjacent cells. Virions were present in cytoplasm and within cytoplasmic vacuoles of apoptotic cells. No apoptosis was detected by TEM in control samples. In parallel, we used Vero cell plaque assays to quantify infection after 7 and 10 day extrinsic incubation periods and found that none of the mosquitoes (0/55 and 0/10) which imbibed infective blood were infected. We propose that programmed cell death limits the number of WNV-infected epithelial cells and inhibits disseminated viral infections from the mosquito midgut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev Vaidyanathan
- Department of Entomology, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, 95616, USA.
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Whitten MMA, Shiao SH, Levashina EA. Mosquito midguts and malaria: cell biology, compartmentalization and immunology. Parasite Immunol 2006; 28:121-30. [PMID: 16542314 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2006.00804.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The malaria parasite Plasmodium has an absolute requirement for both a vertebrate and a mosquito host in order to complete its life cycle, and its interactions with the latter provide the focus for this review. The mosquito midgut represents one of the most challenging environments for the survival and development of Plasmodium, and is thus also one of the most attractive sites for novel targeted malaria control strategies. During their attempts to cross the midgut epithelium en route to the salivary glands, motile ookinetes are swiftly detected and labelled by mosquito recognition factors and targeted for destruction by a variety of immune responses that recruit killing factors both from the midgut and from other tissues in the surrounding body cavity. The exact interplay between these factors and the parasite is highly species- and strain-specific, as are the timing and the route of parasite invasion. These features are paramount to determining the success of the infection and the vector competence of the mosquito. Here we discuss recent advances in genomic analyses, coupled with detailed microscopical investigations, which are helping to unravel the identity and roles of the major players of these complex systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M A Whitten
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France.
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del Pilar Corena M, VanEkeris L, Salazar MI, Bowers D, Fiedler MM, Silverman D, Tu C, Linser PJ. Carbonic anhydrase in the adult mosquito midgut. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 208:3263-73. [PMID: 16109888 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.01739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated the involvement of carbonic anhydrase (CA) in larval mosquito midgut physiology. In this study, we used Hansson's histochemistry to examine the distribution of the enzyme in the midgut of Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex nigripalpus, Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus, Anopheles albimanus and Anopheles quadrimaculatus adult mosquitoes. Additionally, we quantitated CA content in the anterior and posterior midgut of adult males and females from these species using the 18O isotope exchange method coupled to mass spectrometry. We also tested the effect of CA inhibitors such as methazolamide and acetazolamide in the alkalization of the midgut in females from these species. Our results indicate that CA is present in the midgut of adults from the species studied and that it appears to be preferentially associated with the posterior midgut in both males and females. CA inhibitors appear to have a profound effect on midgut pH indicating that this enzyme might play a key role in the maintenance of this pH.
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Baton LA, Ranford-Cartwright LC. Plasmodium falciparumookinete invasion of the midgut epithelium ofAnopheles stephensiis consistent with the Time Bomb model. Parasitology 2004; 129:663-76. [PMID: 15648689 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182004005979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparumgametocytes grownin vitrowere fed through membrane feeders to laboratory-rearedAnopheles stephensimosquitoes. Intact midguts, including entire bloodmeal contents, were removed between 24 and 48 h post-bloodfeeding. Giemsa-stained histological sections were prepared from the midguts and examined by light microscopy. Contrary to previous reports, ookinetes were clearly visible within midgut epithelial cells, demonstrating intracellular migration across the midgut wall. Ookinetes entered epithelial cells through the lateral apical membrane at sites where 3 adjacent cells converged. There was no evidence for the existence of a morphologically distinct group of epithelial cells preferentially invaded by ookinetes. However, ookinete penetration was associated with significant morphological changes to invaded cells, including differential staining, condensation and fragmentation of the nucleus, vacuolization, loss of microvilli and various degrees of extrusion into the midgut lumen. Epithelial cells completely separated from the midgut wall were found within the midgut lumen. These cells were associated with invading parasites suggesting that ookinete penetration resulted in complete ejection of invaded cells from the midgut wall. Small clusters of morphologically altered midgut cells and invading parasites spanning the membranes of adjacent abnormal epithelial cells were observed, consistent with intracellular movement of ookinetes between neighbouring midgut cells. Extruded epithelial cells were also observed rarely in uninfected midguts. Epithelial cell extrusion, therefore, may be a general mechanism of tissue repair through which damaged cells are removed from the midgut wall rather than a parasite-specific response. These observations demonstrate that human malaria parasite infection of mosquitoes is consistent with, and provides further support for, the Time Bomb model of ookinete invasion of the mosquito midgut epithelium previously proposed for rodent malaria parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Baton
- Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Joseph Black Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.
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Vlachou D, Zimmermann T, Cantera R, Janse CJ, Waters AP, Kafatos FC. Real-time, in vivo analysis of malaria ookinete locomotion and mosquito midgut invasion. Cell Microbiol 2004; 6:671-85. [PMID: 15186403 DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2004.00394.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Invasion of the Anopheles mosquito midgut by the Plasmodium ookinete is a critical step in the malaria transmission cycle. We have generated a fluorescent P. berghei transgenic line that expresses GFP in the ookinete and oocyst stages, and used it to perform the first real-time analysis of midgut invasion in the living mosquito as well as in explanted intact midguts whose basolateral plasma membranes were vitally stained. These studies permitted detailed analysis of parasite motile behaviour in the midgut and cell biological analysis of the invasion process. Throughout its journey, the ookinete displays distinct modes of motility: stationary rotation, translocational spiralling and straight-segment motility. Spiralling is based on rotational motility combined with translocation steps and changes in direction, which are achieved by transient attachments of the ookinete's trailing end. As it moves from the apical to the basal side of the midgut epithelium, the ookinete uses a predominant intracellular route and appears to glide on the membrane in foldings of the basolateral domain. However, it traverses serially the cytoplasm of several midgut cells before entering and migrating through the basolateral intercellular space to access the basal lamina. The invaded cells commit apoptosis, and their expulsion from the epithelium invokes wound repair mechanisms including extensive lamellipodia crawling. A 'hood' of lamellipodial origin, provided by the invaded cell, covers the ookinete during its egress from the epithelium. The flexible ookinete undergoes shape changes and temporary constrictions associated with passage through the plasma membranes. Similar observations were made in both A. gambiae and A. stephensi, demonstrating the conservation of P. berghei interactions with these vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Vlachou
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
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Caroci AS, Calvo E, Ribolla PE, De Bianchi AG, Marinotti O. Two digestive trypsins occur in three species of neotropical anophelines. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2003; 40:991-995. [PMID: 14765682 DOI: 10.1603/0022-2585-40.6.991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Trypsin activity increases in the midgut of Anopheles aquasalis, Anopheles albitarsis, and Anopheles darlingi after a bloodmeal. The activity returns to basal levels at the time the blood is completely digested. Affinity chromatography, reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) were used to sequentially purify the mosquito trypsins found in the midguts at 24 h after feeding. Aminoterminal sequencing of the purified trypsins showed the occurrence of two distinct trypsins in the midgut of each of the mosquitoes studied. The sequences obtained are similar to those of the trypsins of other hematophagous insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Caroci
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, CEP 05,508-900, Brazil
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