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Kampen H, Werner D. Biting Midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) as Vectors of Viruses. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2706. [PMID: 38004718 PMCID: PMC10673010 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112706] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Biting midges of the genus Culicoides occur almost globally and can regionally and seasonally reach high abundances. Most species are hematophagous, feeding on all groups of vertebrates, including humans. In addition to being nuisance pests, they are able to transmit disease agents, with some viruses causing high morbidity and/or mortality in ruminants, horses and humans. Despite their impact on animal husbandry, public health and tourism, knowledge on the biology and ecology of culicoid biting midges and their interactions with ingested pathogens or symbiotic microorganisms is limited. Research is challenging due to unknown larval habitats, the insects' tiny size, the inability to establish and breed most species in the laboratory and the laborious maintenance of colonies of the few species that can be reared in the laboratory. Consequently, the natural transmission of pathogens has experimentally been demonstrated for few species while, for others, only indirect evidence of vector potential exists. Most experimental data are available for Culicoides sonorensis and C. nubeculosus, the only species kept in western-world insectaries. This contribution gives an overview on important biting midge vectors, transmitted viruses, culicoid-borne viral diseases and their epidemiologies and summarizes the little knowledge on interactions between biting midges, their microflora and culicoid-borne arboviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helge Kampen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, 17493 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Doreen Werner
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, 15374 Muencheberg, Germany;
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Scroggs SLP, Bird EJ, Molik DC, Nayduch D. Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Elicits Early Transcriptome Response in Culicoides sonorensis Cells. Viruses 2023; 15:2108. [PMID: 37896885 PMCID: PMC10612082 DOI: 10.3390/v15102108] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses that are transmitted by arthropods, or arboviruses, have evolved to successfully navigate both the invertebrate and vertebrate hosts, including their immune systems. Biting midges transmit several arboviruses including vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). To study the interaction between VSV and midges, we characterized the transcriptomic responses of VSV-infected and mock-infected Culicoides sonorensis cells at 1, 8, 24, and 96 h post inoculation (HPI). The transcriptomic response of VSV-infected cells at 1 HPI was significant, but by 8 HPI there were no detectable differences between the transcriptome profiles of VSV-infected and mock-infected cells. Several genes involved in immunity were upregulated (ATG2B and TRAF4) or downregulated (SMAD6 and TOLL7) in VSV-treated cells at 1 HPI. These results indicate that VSV infection in midge cells produces an early immune response that quickly wanes, giving insight into in vivo C. sonorensis VSV tolerance that may underlie their permissiveness as vectors for this virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey L. P. Scroggs
- Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA; (D.C.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Edward J. Bird
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA;
| | - David C. Molik
- Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA; (D.C.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Dana Nayduch
- Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA; (D.C.M.); (D.N.)
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Osborne C, Cooper AMW, Hall B, Bird E, Nayduch D, Silver K. Evaluation of potential reference genes in the biting midge Culicoides sonorensis for real-time quantitative PCR analyses. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16729. [PMID: 37794144 PMCID: PMC10550929 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43750-2] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies examining differentially expressed genes and gene silencing by RNA interference (RNAi) require a set of stably expressed reference genes for accurate normalization. The biting midge Culicoides sonorensis is an important vector of livestock pathogens and is often used as a model species for biting midge research. Here, we examine the stable expression of six candidate reference genes in C. sonorensis: actin, β-tubulin, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), ribosomal protein subunit (RPS) 18, vacuolar ATPase subunit A (VhaA), and elongation factor 1-beta (EF1b). Gene expression was assessed under seven conditions, including cells treated with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), 3rd and 4th instar larvae treated with dsRNA, six developmental stages, four adult female body parts or tissue groups, and females injected with bluetongue virus or vesicular stomatitis virus. Stable gene expression was assessed using RefFinder, NormFinder, geNorm, and BestKeeper. The ranked results for each analysis tool under each condition and a comprehensive ranking for each condition are presented. The data show that optimal reference genes vary between conditions and that just two reference genes were necessary for each condition. These findings provide reference genes for use under these conditions in future studies using real-time quantitative PCR to evaluate gene expression in C. sonorensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron Osborne
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, 123 W. Waters Hall, 1603 Old Claflin Pl., Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Anastasia M W Cooper
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, 123 W. Waters Hall, 1603 Old Claflin Pl., Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Brandon Hall
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, 123 W. Waters Hall, 1603 Old Claflin Pl., Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Edward Bird
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, 123 W. Waters Hall, 1603 Old Claflin Pl., Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Dana Nayduch
- United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Manhattan, KS, 66502, USA
| | - Kristopher Silver
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, 123 W. Waters Hall, 1603 Old Claflin Pl., Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA.
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McGregor BL, Reister-Hendricks LM, Nordmeyer C, Stapleton S, Davis TM, Drolet BS. Using Zoos as Sentinels for Re-Emerging Arboviruses: Vector Surveillance during an Outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease at the Minnesota Zoo. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12010140. [PMID: 36678488 PMCID: PMC9864106 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12010140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne disease prevalence is increasing at a time when surveillance capacity in the United States is decreasing. One way to address this surveillance deficiency is to utilize established infrastructure, such as zoological parks, to investigate animal disease outbreaks and improve our epidemiological understanding of vector-borne pathogens. During fall 2020, an outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) at the Minnesota Zoo resulted in morbidity and seroconversion of several collection animals. In response to this outbreak, insect surveillance was conducted, and the collected insects were tested for the presence of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) by RT-qPCR to better understand the local transmitting vector populations responsible for the outbreak. Six pools of Culicoides biting midges were positive for EHDV, including three pools of Culicoides sonorensis, two pools of Culicoides variipennis, and a pool of degraded C. variipennis complex midges. All three endemic serotypes of EHDV (1, 2, and 6) were detected in both animals and midge pools from the premises. Despite this outbreak, no EHDV cases had been reported in wild animals near the zoo. This highlights the importance and utility of using animal holding facilities, such as zoos, as sentinels to better understand the spatio-temporal dynamics of pathogen transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany L. McGregor
- Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Lindsey M. Reister-Hendricks
- Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
| | - Cale Nordmeyer
- Conservation Department, Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley, MN 55124, USA
| | - Seth Stapleton
- Conservation Department, Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley, MN 55124, USA
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Travis M. Davis
- Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
| | - Barbara S. Drolet
- Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
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Matthews ML, Covey HO, Drolet BS, Brelsfoard CL. Wolbachia wAlbB inhibits bluetongue and epizootic hemorrhagic fever viruses in Culicoides midge cells. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 36:320-328. [PMID: 35266572 PMCID: PMC9540819 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Culicoides midges are hematophagous insects that transmit arboviruses of veterinary importance. These viruses include bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic hemorrhagic fever virus (EHDV). The endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis Hertig spreads rapidly through insect host populations and has been demonstrated to inhibit viral pathogen transmission in multiple mosquito vectors. Here, we have demonstrated a replication inhibitory effect on BTV and EHDV in a Wolbachia (wAlbB strain)-infected Culicoides sonorensis Wirth and Jones W8 cell line. Viral replication was significantly reduced by day 5 for BTV and by day 2 for EHDV as detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) of the non-structural NS3 gene of both viruses. Evaluation of innate cellular immune responses as a cause of the inhibitory effect showed responses associated with BTV but not with EHDV infection. Wolbachia density also did not play a role in the observed pathogen inhibitory effects, and an alternative hypothesis is suggested. Applications of Wolbachia-mediated pathogen interference to impact disease transmission by Culicoides midges are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan L. Matthews
- Department of Biological SciencesTexas Tech UniversityLubbockTexasUSA
| | - Hunter O. Covey
- Department of Biological SciencesTexas Tech UniversityLubbockTexasUSA
| | - Barbara S. Drolet
- Arthropod‐Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA‐ARSManhattanKansasUSA
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Ghosh A, Jasperson D, Cohnstaedt LW, Brelsfoard CL. Transfection of Culicoides sonorensis biting midge cell lines with Wolbachia pipientis. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:483. [PMID: 31615544 PMCID: PMC6792224 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3716-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Biting midges of the genus Culicoides vector multiple veterinary pathogens and are difficult to control. Endosymbionts particularly Wolbachia pipientis may offer an alternative to control populations of Culicoides and/or impact disease transmission in the form of population suppression or replacement strategies. Methods Culicoides sonorensis cell lines were transfected with a Wolbachia infection using a modified shell vial technique. Infections were confirmed using PCR and cell localization using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). The stability of Wolbachia infections and density was determined by qPCR. qPCR was also used to examine immune genes in the IMD, Toll and JACK/STAT pathways to determine if Wolbachia were associated with an immune response in infected cells. Results Here we have transfected two Culicoides sonorensis cell lines (W3 and W8) with a Wolbachia infection (walbB) from donor Aedes albopictus Aa23 cells. PCR and FISH showed the presence of Wolbachia infections in both C. sonorensis cell lines. Infection densities were higher in the W8 cell lines when compared to W3. In stably infected cells, genes in the immune Toll, IMD and JAK/STAT pathways were upregulated, along with Attacin and an Attacin-like anti-microbial peptides. Conclusions The successful introduction of Wolbachia infections in C. sonorensis cell lines and the upregulation of immune genes, suggest the utility of using Wolbachia for a population replacement and/or population suppression approach to limit the transmission of C. sonorensis vectored diseases. Results support the further investigation of Wolbachia induced pathogen inhibitory effects in Wolbachia-infected C. sonorensis cell lines and the introduction of Wolbachia into C. sonorensis adults via embryonic microinjection to examine for reproductive phenotypes and host fitness effects of a novel Wolbachia infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnab Ghosh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, 2901 Main St., Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Dane Jasperson
- USDA-ARS Arthropod Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, 1515 College Ave., Manhattan, KS, 66502, USA
| | - Lee W Cohnstaedt
- USDA-ARS Arthropod Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, 1515 College Ave., Manhattan, KS, 66502, USA
| | - Corey L Brelsfoard
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, 2901 Main St., Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA.
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Transcriptome Response of Female Culicoides sonorensis Biting Midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) to Early Infection with Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (EHDV-2). Viruses 2019; 11:v11050473. [PMID: 31137627 PMCID: PMC6563219 DOI: 10.3390/v11050473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Female Culicoides sonorensis biting midges are vectors of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), which causes morbidity and mortality in wild and domesticated ruminants. The aims in this study were to identify key changes in female midge transcriptome profiles occurring during early infection with EHDV-2. Midges were fed either negative control bloodmeals or bloodmeals containing EHDV-2 and transcriptomes were acquired at 36 h through deep sequencing. Reads were de novo assembled into a transcriptome comprised of 18,754 unigenes. Overall, there were 2401 differentially expressed unigenes and ~60% were downregulated in response to the virus (953 up; 1448 down). Downstream Gene Ontology enrichment, KEGG pathway mapping, and manual analyses were used to identify the effect of virus ingestion at both the gene and pathway levels. Downregulated unigenes were predominantly assigned to pathways related to cell/tissue structure and integrity (actin cytoskeleton, adherens junction, focal adhesion, hippo signaling), calcium signaling, eye morphogenesis and axon guidance. Unigenes attributed to sensory functions (especially vision), behavior, learning and memory were largely downregulated. Upregulated unigenes included those coding for innate immune processes, olfaction and photoreceptor pigments. Our results suggest that midges respond to virus infection as soon as 36 h post-ingestion, and that EHDV-2 may have a significant phenotypic effect on sensory and neural tissues.
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Morales-Hojas R, Hinsley M, Armean IM, Silk R, Harrup LE, Gonzalez-Uriarte A, Veronesi E, Campbell L, Nayduch D, Saski C, Tabachnick WJ, Kersey P, Carpenter S, Fife M. The genome of the biting midge Culicoides sonorensis and gene expression analyses of vector competence for bluetongue virus. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:624. [PMID: 30134833 PMCID: PMC6106943 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-5014-1] [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: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The new genomic technologies have provided novel insights into the genetics of interactions between vectors, viruses and hosts, which are leading to advances in the control of arboviruses of medical importance. However, the development of tools and resources available for vectors of non-zoonotic arboviruses remains neglected. Biting midges of the genus Culicoides transmit some of the most important arboviruses of wildlife and livestock worldwide, with a global impact on economic productivity, health and welfare. The absence of a suitable reference genome has hindered genomic analyses to date in this important genus of vectors. In the present study, the genome of Culicoides sonorensis, a vector of bluetongue virus (BTV) in the USA, has been sequenced to provide the first reference genome for these vectors. In this study, we also report the use of the reference genome to perform initial transcriptomic analyses of vector competence for BTV. RESULTS Our analyses reveal that the genome is 189 Mb, assembled in 7974 scaffolds. Its annotation using the transcriptomic data generated in this study and in a previous study has identified 15,612 genes. Gene expression analyses of C. sonorensis females infected with BTV performed in this study revealed 165 genes that were differentially expressed between vector competent and refractory females. Two candidate genes, glutathione S-transferase (gst) and the antiviral helicase ski2, previously recognized as involved in vector competence for BTV in C. sonorensis (gst) and repressing dsRNA virus propagation (ski2), were confirmed in this study. CONCLUSIONS The reference genome of C. sonorensis has enabled preliminary analyses of the gene expression profiles of vector competent and refractory individuals. The genome and transcriptomes generated in this study provide suitable tools for future research on arbovirus transmission. These provide a valuable resource for these vector lineage, which diverged from other major Dipteran vector families over 200 million years ago. The genome will be a valuable source of comparative data for other important Dipteran vector families including mosquitoes (Culicidae) and sandflies (Psychodidae), and together with the transcriptomic data can yield potential targets for transgenic modification in vector control and functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramiro Morales-Hojas
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Woking, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK. .,Rothamsted Insect Survey, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK.
| | - Malcolm Hinsley
- EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Irina M Armean
- EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Rhiannon Silk
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Woking, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK
| | - Lara E Harrup
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Woking, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK
| | - Asier Gonzalez-Uriarte
- Bioinformatics group, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Eva Veronesi
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Woking, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK.,National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Lahcen Campbell
- EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Dana Nayduch
- USDA-ARS, Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Arthropod Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, 1515 College Avenue, Manhattan, KS, 66502, USA
| | - Christopher Saski
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University Genomics Institute, BRC #310, 105 Collins Street, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | - Walter J Tabachnick
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, IFAS, 200 9th St., SE, Vero Beach, FL, 32962, USA
| | - Paul Kersey
- EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Simon Carpenter
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Woking, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK
| | - Mark Fife
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Woking, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK
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Mills MK, Michel K, Pfannenstiel RS, Ruder MG, Veronesi E, Nayduch D. Culicoides-virus interactions: infection barriers and possible factors underlying vector competence. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2017; 22:7-15. [PMID: 28805641 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In the United States, Culicoides midges vector arboviruses of economic importance such as Bluetongue Virus and Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus. A limited number of studies have demonstrated the complexities of midge-virus interactions, including dynamic changes in virus titer and prevalence over the infection time course. These dynamics are, in part, dictated by mesenteron infection and escape barriers. This review summarizes the overarching trends in viral titer and prevalence throughout the course of infection. Essential barriers to infection and dissemination in the midge are highlighted, along with heritable and extrinsic factors that likely contribute to these barriers. Next generation molecular tools and techniques, now available for Culicoides midges, give researchers the opportunity to test how these factors contribute to vector competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary K Mills
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Kristin Michel
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Robert S Pfannenstiel
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Arthropod Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
| | - Mark G Ruder
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Eva Veronesi
- Vector-borne Viral Diseases Programme, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey GU24 0NF, United Kingdom
| | - Dana Nayduch
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Arthropod Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.
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Pfannenstiel RS, Mullens BA, Ruder MG, Zurek L, Cohnstaedt LW, Nayduch D. Management of North American Culicoides Biting Midges: Current Knowledge and Research Needs. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2016; 15:374-84. [PMID: 26086558 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2014.1705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are biological vectors of two important viruses impacting North American ruminants--bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV). These viruses have been identified for over 60 years in North America, but we still lack an adequate understanding of the basic biology and ecology of the confirmed vector, Culicoides sonorensis, and know even less about other putative Culicoides vector species. The major gaps in our knowledge of the biology of Culicoides midges are broad and include an understanding of the ecology of juveniles, the identity of potential alternate vector species, interactions of midges with both pathogens and vertebrates, and the effectiveness of potential control measures. Due to these broad and numerous fundamental knowledge gaps, vector biologists and livestock producers are left with few options to respond to or understand outbreaks of EHD or BT in North America, or respond to emerging or exotic Culicoides-transmitted pathogens. Here we outline current knowledge of vector ecology and control tactics for North American Culicoides species, and delineate research recommendations aimed to fill knowledge gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert S Pfannenstiel
- 1 Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service , Manhattan, Kansas
| | - Bradley A Mullens
- 2 Department of Entomology, University of California-Riverside , Riverside, California
| | - Mark G Ruder
- 1 Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service , Manhattan, Kansas
| | - Ludek Zurek
- 3 Department of Entomology, Kansas State University , Manhattan, Kansas
| | - Lee W Cohnstaedt
- 1 Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service , Manhattan, Kansas
| | - Dana Nayduch
- 1 Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service , Manhattan, Kansas
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Wei L, Huang C, Yang H, Li M, Yang J, Qiao X, Mu L, Xiong F, Wu J, Xu W. A potent anti-inflammatory peptide from the salivary glands of horsefly. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:556. [PMID: 26496724 PMCID: PMC4619319 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1149-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A diverse group of physiologically active peptides/proteins are present in the salivary glands of horsefly Tabanus yao (Diptera, Tabanidae) that facilitate acquisition of blood meal. However, their roles in the regulation of local inflammation remains poorly understood. Methods Induction expression profiles of immune-related molecules in the salivary glands of T. yao was analyzed by quantitative PCR (qPCR) after bacterial feeding. A significantly up-regulated molecule (cecropin-TY1) was selected for anti-inflammatory assay in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. The transcription levels of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines were quantified by qPCR. Nitric oxide (NO) production was determined by Griess reagent. Pro-inflammatory cytokine production was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The inflammatory signals were assayed by Western blotting analysis. The secondary structure of cecropin-TY1 was measured by Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Interaction of cecropin-TY1 with LPS was evaluated by the dissociation of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated LPS aggregates and neutralization of LPS determined by a quantitative Chromogenic End-point Tachypleus amebocyte lysate (TAL) assay kit. Homology modeled structure analysis and mutation of key residues/structures were performed to understand its structure-activity relationship. Results Cecropin-TY1 was demonstrated to possess high anti-inflammatory activity and low cytotoxicity toward mouse macrophages. In LPS-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophage, addition of cecropin-TY1 significantly inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Further study revealed that cecropin-TY1 inhibited inflammatory cytokine production by blocking activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and transcriptional nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signals. Cecropin-TY1 even interacted with LPS and neutralized LPS. The secondary structure analysis revealed that cecropin-TY1 adopted unordered structures in hydrophobic environment but converted to α-helical confirmation in membrane mimetic environments. Homology modeled structure analysis demonstrated that cecropin-TY1 adopted two α-helices (Leu3-Thr24, Ile27-Leu38) linked by a hinge (Leu25-Pro26) and the structure surface was partly positively charged. Structure-activity relationship analysis indicated that several key residues/structures are crucial for its anti-inflammatory activity including α-helices, aromatic residue Trp2, positively charged residues Lys and Arg, hinge residue Pro26 and N-terminal amidation. Conclusions We found a novel anti-inflammatory function of horsefly-derived cecropin-TY1 peptide, laying groundwork for better understanding the ectoparasite-host interaction of horsefly with host and highlighting its potency in anti-inflammatory therapy for sepsis and endotoxin shock caused by Gram-negative bacterial infections. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-1149-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wei
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, 199 Ren-Ai Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Chunjing Huang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, 199 Ren-Ai Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Hailong Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Yuhua Avenue, Chenggong District, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China.
| | - Min Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, 199 Ren-Ai Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Juanjuan Yang
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, Fujian, China.
| | - Xue Qiao
- Institute of Marine Biological Technology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, Liaoning, China.
| | - Lixian Mu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Yuhua Avenue, Chenggong District, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China.
| | - Fei Xiong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, 199 Ren-Ai Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Jing Wu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Yuhua Avenue, Chenggong District, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China.
| | - Wei Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, 199 Ren-Ai Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu Province, China.
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A cecropin-like antimicrobial peptide with anti-inflammatory activity from the black fly salivary glands. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:561. [PMID: 26497304 PMCID: PMC4620007 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1176-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) belonging to the cecropin family have been identified from the salivary glands of different black fly species, however, the immunological functions for these molecules were poorly understood. METHODS A novel cecropin-like antimicrobial peptide (SibaCec) was purified using reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) from the salivary glands of the black fly Simulium bannaense. The amino acid sequence of SibaCec was determined by a combination method of automated Edman degradation and cDNA sequencing. The morphologic changes of Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli treated with SibaCec were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was performed to analyze the mRNA expression of the inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Nitric oxide (NO) generation was examined using a Griess assay and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) were assessed by Western blotting analysis. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy was performed to evaluate the secondary structure of SibaCec in solvent environment. Interaction of SibaCec with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was studied using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)- conjugated LPS aggregates. Neutralization of LPS by SibaCec was assayed with the chromogenic limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) test. qPCR was also used to analyze the expression of SibaCec mRNA in the salivary glands of insects after oral infection with the bacteria E.coli. RESULTS SibaCec possessed potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, and showed low cytotoxicity toward mammalian cells. SEM analysis indicated that SibaCec killed bacteria through the disruption of cell membrane integrity. Furthermore, SibaCec significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-1β (IL-1β) and interferon-6 (IL-6) by blocking the activation of MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways. It mainly adopted an α-helix conformation in membrane-mimetic environments. SibaCec could interact and neutralize LPS. Infection of black flies with bacteria caused an upregulation of the expression of SibaCec. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrated that in addition to the bactericidal capacity, SibaCec can function as immune regulator, inhibiting host secretion of inflammatory factors.
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Wei L, Mu L, Wang Y, Bian H, Li J, Lu Y, Han Y, Liu T, Lv J, Feng C, Wu J, Yang H. Purification and characterization of a novel defensin from the salivary glands of the black fly, Simulium bannaense. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:71. [PMID: 25649358 PMCID: PMC4324660 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0669-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) are haematophagous insects that can cause allergic reactions and act as vectors of pathogens. Although their saliva has been thought to contain a diverse array of physiologically active molecules, little information is available on antimicrobial factors in black fly salivary glands, especially no defensins have been reported so far. Methods A novel cationic defensin designated SibaDef was purified using reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) from the salivary glands of the black fly Simulium bannaense. The amino acid sequence of SibaDef was determined by a combination method of automated Edman degradation and cDNA sequencing. The morphologic changes of Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus or Bacillus subtilis treated with SibaDef were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was performed to analyze the expression of SibaDef mRNA in whole bodies of insects after oral infection with the bacteria S. aureus or B. subtilis. Results Surprisingly, the phylogenetic analysis of defensin-related amino acid sequences demonstrated that SibaDef is most closely related to defensins from the human body louse Pediculus humanus corporis (Anoplura: Pediculidae), rather than to other dipteran defensins. SibaDef showed potent antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive bacteria with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 0.83 μM to 2.29 μM. SEM analysis indicated that SibaDef killed microorganisms through the disruption of cell membrane integrity. The transcript levels of SibaDef in the bacteria-immunized flies increased with the time course, reaching maximum at 36 h and then slowly decreased from that time point. Conclusions Our results indicate that SibaDef is involved in the innate humoral response of the black fly S. bannaense, and it might play a significant role in the defence against microorganisms in both sugar and blood meals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wei
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Lixian Mu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
| | - Yipeng Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Hui Bian
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
| | - Jun Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
| | - Yiling Lu
- Institute of Marine biological technology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning, China.
| | - Yi Han
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
| | - Tong Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
| | - Jing Lv
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
| | - Cuiping Feng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
| | - Jing Wu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
| | - Hailong Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
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Bang K, Hwang S, Lee J, Cho S. Identification of immunity-related genes in the larvae of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) by a next-generation sequencing-based transcriptome analysis. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2015; 15:iev120. [PMID: 26450592 PMCID: PMC4626668 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iev120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/06/2015] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
To identify immune-related genes in the larvae of white-spotted flower chafers, next-generation sequencing was conducted with an Illumina HiSeq2000, resulting in 100 million cDNA reads with sequence information from over 10 billion base pairs (bp) and >50× transcriptome coverage. A subset of 77,336 contigs was created, and ∼35,532 sequences matched entries against the NCBI nonredundant database (cutoff, e < 10(-5)). Statistical analysis was performed on the 35,532 contigs. For profiling of the immune response, samples were analyzed by aligning 42 base sequence tags to the de novo reference assembly, comparing levels in immunized larvae to control levels of expression. Of the differentially expressed genes, 3,440 transcripts were upregulated and 3,590 transcripts were downregulated. Many of these genes were confirmed as immune-related genes such as pattern recognition proteins, immune-related signal transduction proteins, antimicrobial peptides, and cellular response proteins, by comparison to published data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyeongrin Bang
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Environment Friendly Agriculture Center, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Sejung Hwang
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Environment Friendly Agriculture Center, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Jiae Lee
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Environment Friendly Agriculture Center, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Saeyoull Cho
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Environment Friendly Agriculture Center, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
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