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Da Lage JL, Fontenelle A, Filée J, Merle M, Béranger JM, Almeida CE, Folly Ramos E, Harry M. Evidence that hematophagous triatomine bugs may eat plants in the wild. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 165:104059. [PMID: 38101706 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.104059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Blood feeding is a secondary adaptation in hematophagous bugs. Many proteins are secreted in the saliva that are devoted to coping with the host's defense and to process the blood meal. Digestive enzymes that are no longer required for a blood meal would be expected to be eventually lost. Yet, in many strictly hematophagous arthropods, α-amylase genes, which encode the enzymes that digest starch from plants, are still present and transcribed, including in the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) and its related species, which transmit the Chagas disease. We hypothesized that retaining α-amylase could be advantageous if the bugs occasionally consume plant tissues. We first checked that the α-amylase protein of Rhodnius robustus retains normal amylolytic activity. Then we surveyed hundreds of gut DNA extracts from the sylvatic R. robustus to detect traces of plants. We found plant DNA in 8% of the samples, mainly identified as Attalea palm trees, where R. robustus are usually found. We suggest that although of secondary importance in the blood-sucking bugs, α-amylase may be needed during occasional plant feeding and thus has been retained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Luc Da Lage
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR 9191 Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Alice Fontenelle
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR 9191 Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Jonathan Filée
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR 9191 Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Marie Merle
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR 9191 Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Jean-Michel Béranger
- Département Systématique and Evolution, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France; IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Carlos Eduardo Almeida
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Elaine Folly Ramos
- Departamento de Engenharia e Meio Ambiente - DEMA, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Myriam Harry
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR 9191 Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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Rocha FF, Gazzinelli-Guimarães PH, Soares AC, Lourdes RA, Estevão LRM, Rachid MA, Bueno LL, Gontijo NF, Pereira MH, Sant'Anna MRV, Natividade UA, Fujiwara RT, Araujo RN. Effect of Triatoma infestans saliva on mouse immune system cells: The role of the pore-forming salivary protein trialysin. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 143:103739. [PMID: 35149206 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Triatoma infestans is one of the most important vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi in the Americas. While feeding, they release large amounts of saliva that will counteract the host's responses triggered at the bite site. Despite the various activities described on T. infestans saliva, little is known about its effect on the modulation of the host's immune system. This work aimed to describe the effects of T. infestans saliva on cells of the mouse immune system and access the role in hematophagy. The effect of saliva or salivary gland extract (SGE) was evaluated in vivo and in vitro by direct T. infestans feeding on mice or using different biological assays. Mice that were submitted to four bites by three specimens of T. infestans had their anti-saliva IgG serum levels approximately 2.4 times higher than controls, but no change in serum IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, IFN-γ, and TNF-α levels was observed. No macroscopic alterations were seen at the bite site, but an accumulation of mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells shortly after the bite and 24 h later were observed in histological cuts. At low concentrations (up to ∼5 μg/well), SGE induced TNF-α production by macrophages and spleen cells, IFN-γ and IL-10 by spleen cells and NO by macrophages. However, at higher concentrations (10 and 20 μg/well), viability of macrophages and spleen cells was reduced by SGE, reducing the production of NO and cytokines (except TNF-α). The salivary trialysin was the main inducer of cell death as macrophage viability and NO production was restored in assays carried out with SGE from trialysin knockdown insects. The reduction of the salivary trialysin by RNAi affected the total ingestion rate, the weight gain, and retarded the molt from second to the fifth instar of T. infestans nymphs fed on mice. The results show that T. infestans saliva modulates the activity of cells of the host immune system and trialysin is an important salivary molecule that reduces host cells viability and impacts the feeding performance of T. infestans feeding on live hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda F Rocha
- Laboratory of Physiology of Hematophagous Insects, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Pedro H Gazzinelli-Guimarães
- Laboratory of Immunology and Genomics of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Adriana C Soares
- Laboratory of Physiology of Hematophagous Insects, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo A Lourdes
- Laboratory of Immunology and Genomics of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Lígia R M Estevão
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Milene A Rachid
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Lilian L Bueno
- Laboratory of Immunology and Genomics of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Nelder F Gontijo
- Laboratory of Physiology of Hematophagous Insects, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcos H Pereira
- Laboratory of Physiology of Hematophagous Insects, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mauricio R V Sant'Anna
- Laboratory of Physiology of Hematophagous Insects, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ulisses A Natividade
- Laboratory of Hematophagous Arthopods, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ricardo T Fujiwara
- Laboratory of Immunology and Genomics of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ricardo N Araujo
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Laboratory of Hematophagous Arthopods, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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Orientation of Belminus triatomines to cockroaches and cockroaches’ fecal volatiles: an ethological approach. Acta Ethol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10211-021-00361-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Calderón JM, Erazo D, Kieran TJ, Gottdenker NL, León C, Cordovez J, Guhl F, Glenn TC, González C. How microclimatic variables and blood meal sources influence Rhodnius prolixus abundance and Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Attalea butyracea and Elaeis guineensis palms? Acta Trop 2020; 212:105674. [PMID: 32827453 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a zoonosis that affects several million people and is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is mainly transmitted through the feces of triatomine bugs. Within triatomines, several Rhodnius species have been found inhabiting palms, and certain factors such as palm species and location have been related to the abundance and T. cruzi infection of those insects in palms. In this study, the main goal was to determine if R. prolixus abundances and infection rates in Attalea butyracea and Elaeis guineensis palms are related to ecological factors such as palm species, crown microclimate, and available blood meal sources. Triatomine sampling was performed in two municipalities of Casanare, Colombia, specifically in the intersection of riparian forests and oil palm plantations. For R. prolixus abundance per palm, the predictors showing more relationship were palm species and blood meal species identified in the palm, and for T. cruzi infection per triatomine, they were palm species and nymphal stage. Palm microclimate was very similar in both palm species and did not show a relationship with triatomine abundance. Comparing palm species, A. butyracea showed more blood meal species, including more refractory host species, than E. guineensis, but lower T. cruzi infection rate and parasitaemia. Interestingly, non-arboreal blood meal species were frequently found in the analyzed nymphs, indicating that the blood source for R. prolixus in palms corresponded to all the fauna located in the surrounded landscape and not only in the palm. These results could expose a new ecological scenario to interpret the T. cruzi transmission in sylvatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan M Calderón
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá D.C. 111711, Colombia.
| | - Diana Erazo
- Grupo de Investigación en Biología Matemática y Computacional (BIOMAC), Departamento de Ingeniería Biomédica, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá D.C. 111711, Colombia
| | - Troy J Kieran
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Nicole L Gottdenker
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Cielo León
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá D.C. 111711, Colombia
| | - Juan Cordovez
- Grupo de Investigación en Biología Matemática y Computacional (BIOMAC), Departamento de Ingeniería Biomédica, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá D.C. 111711, Colombia
| | - Felipe Guhl
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá D.C. 111711, Colombia
| | - Travis C Glenn
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Camila González
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá D.C. 111711, Colombia
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5
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Brown JJ, Rodríguez-Ruano SM, Poosakkannu A, Batani G, Schmidt JO, Roachell W, Zima J, Hypša V, Nováková E. Ontogeny, species identity, and environment dominate microbiome dynamics in wild populations of kissing bugs (Triatominae). MICROBIOME 2020; 8:146. [PMID: 33040738 PMCID: PMC7549230 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-020-00921-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kissing bugs (Triatominae) are blood-feeding insects best known as the vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas' disease. Considering the high epidemiological relevance of these vectors, their biology and bacterial symbiosis remains surprisingly understudied. While previous investigations revealed generally low individual complexity but high among-individual variability of the triatomine microbiomes, any consistent microbiome determinants have not yet been identified across multiple Triatominae species. METHODS To obtain a more comprehensive view of triatomine microbiomes, we investigated the host-microbiome relationship of five Triatoma species sampled from white-throated woodrat (Neotoma albigula) nests in multiple locations across the USA. We applied optimised 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding with a novel 18S rRNA gene blocking primer to a set of 170 T. cruzi-negative individuals across all six instars. RESULTS Triatomine gut microbiome composition is strongly influenced by three principal factors: ontogeny, species identity, and the environment. The microbiomes are characterised by significant loss in bacterial diversity throughout ontogenetic development. First instars possess the highest bacterial diversity while adult microbiomes are routinely dominated by a single taxon. Primarily, the bacterial genus Dietzia dominates late-stage nymphs and adults of T. rubida, T. protracta, and T. lecticularia but is not present in the phylogenetically more distant T. gerstaeckeri and T. sanguisuga. Species-specific microbiome composition, particularly pronounced in early instars, is further modulated by locality-specific effects. In addition, pathogenic bacteria of the genus Bartonella, acquired from the vertebrate hosts, are an abundant component of Triatoma microbiomes. CONCLUSION Our study is the first to demonstrate deterministic patterns in microbiome composition among all life stages and multiple Triatoma species. We hypothesise that triatomine microbiome assemblages are produced by species- and life stage-dependent uptake of environmental bacteria and multiple indirect transmission strategies that promote bacterial transfer between individuals. Altogether, our study highlights the complexity of Triatominae symbiosis with bacteria and warrant further investigation to understand microbiome function in these important vectors. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel J. Brown
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | | | - Anbu Poosakkannu
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Giampiero Batani
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | | | - Walter Roachell
- US Army Public Health Command-Central, JBSA Fort Sam, Houston, TX USA
| | - Jan Zima
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Václav Hypša
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Nováková
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
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Salcedo-Porras N, Lowenberger C. The innate immune system of kissing bugs, vectors of chagas disease. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 98:119-128. [PMID: 31014953 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2019.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Kissing bugs have long served as models to study many aspects of insect physiology. They also serve as vectors for the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi that causes Chagas disease in humans. The overall success of insects is due, in part, to their ability to recognize parasites and pathogens as non-self and to eliminate them using their innate immune system. This immune system comprises physical barriers, cellular responses (phagocytosis, nodulation and encapsulation), and humoral factors (antimicrobial peptides and the prophenoloxidase cascade). Trypanosoma cruzi survives solely in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of the vector; if it migrates to the hemocoel it is eliminated. Kissing bugs may not mount a vigorous immune response in the GI tract to avoid eliminating obligate symbiotic microbes on which they rely for survival. Here we describe the current knowledge of innate immunity in kissing bugs and new opportunities using genomic and transcriptomic approaches to study the complex triatomine-trypanosome-microbiome interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Salcedo-Porras
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Dr., Burnaby, V5A 1S6, BC, Canada.
| | - Carl Lowenberger
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Dr., Burnaby, V5A 1S6, BC, Canada.
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Schmidt JO, Dorn PL, Klotz SA. Second-Best Is Better Than Nothing: Cockroaches as a Viable Food Source for the Kissing Bug Triatoma recurva (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 56:651-655. [PMID: 30597032 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjy233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Kissing bugs in the genus Triatoma are obligate blood feeders that feed mainly on vertebrate blood and have lost the predatory lifestyle found in other reduviid bugs. They occasionally also feed on the hemolymph of arthropods, especially during the first and second instar stages. The largest kissing bug species in the United States, Triatoma recurva (Stål) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), is poorly known and was chosen to investigate its ability to feed and develop on a diet of cockroach hemolymph. Molting from first instar individuals to second instars readily occurred at approximately the same rate reported for the species feeding on mammalian blood. Subsequent instars also fed on and survived on cockroach hemolymph with some individuals maturing to adults. In the larger instars, development time and survival rates were reduced relative to the results reported in the literature for mammalian-blood-fed individuals. Two other species of kissing bugs, Triatoma protracta (Uhler) and T. rubida (Uhler) failed to survive on cockroach hemolymph with most individuals failing to molt from the first instar stage. Although T. recurva does not thrive on a diet limited to hemolymph of cockroaches, it appears to be an unusual species in which cockroaches might be a primary source of nutrition for smaller individuals and are a viable exclusive source of nutrition for all immatures. At a minimum during times of limited availability of vertebrate blood sources, the presence of cockroaches enhances survival opportunities. Efforts to control populations of this kissing bug species likely will be improved with additional control of cockroach populations in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stephen A Klotz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson
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Salcedo-Porras N, Guarneri A, Oliveira PL, Lowenberger C. Rhodnius prolixus: Identification of missing components of the IMD immune signaling pathway and functional characterization of its role in eliminating bacteria. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0214794. [PMID: 30943246 PMCID: PMC6447187 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The innate immune system in insects is regulated by specific signalling pathways. Most immune related pathways were identified and characterized in holometabolous insects such as Drosophila melanogaster, and it was assumed they would be highly conserved in all insects. The hemimetabolous insect, Rhodnius prolixus, has served as a model to study basic insect physiology, but also is a major vector of the human parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, that causes 10,000 deaths annually. The publication of the R. prolixus genome revealed that one of the main immune pathways, the Immune-deficiency pathway (IMD), was incomplete and probably non-functional, an observation shared with other hemimetabolous insects including the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) and the bedbug (Cimex lectularius). It was proposed that the IMD pathway is inactive in R. prolixus as an adaptation to prevent eliminating beneficial symbiont gut bacteria. We used bioinformatic analyses based on reciprocal BLAST and HMM-profile searches to find orthologs for most of the "missing" elements of the IMD pathway and provide data that these are regulated in response to infection with Gram-negative bacteria. We used RNAi strategies to demonstrate the role of the IMD pathway in regulating the expression of specific antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in the fat body of R. prolixus. The data indicate that the IMD pathway is present and active in R. prolixus, which opens up new avenues of research on R. prolixus-T. cruzi interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Salcedo-Porras
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development, and Disease, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Alessandra Guarneri
- Instituto René Rachou, Avenida Augusto de Lima, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Pedro L. Oliveira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, CCS, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carl Lowenberger
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development, and Disease, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
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Lazzari CR, Fauquet A, Lahondère C. Keeping cool: Kissing bugs avoid cannibalism by thermoregulating. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 107:29-33. [PMID: 29447846 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2018.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Kissing bugs possess a highly developed thermal sense and when starved, they attempt to bite any object which temperature is close to that of a warm-blooded host. At each feeding event, these insects take massive meals in just a few minutes. One could then expect fed-bugs being heated-up by the ingested warm blood and so becoming attractive to starved conspecifics. This is not however the case, arising the question about why cannibalism is very rare among these insects. Recently, the ability of thermoregulating during feeding has been demonstrated in Rhodnius prolixus. These bugs possess a countercurrent heat-exchanger that cools down the ingested blood, before it reaches the abdomen. We hypothesise that avoiding thermal stress is not the only adaptive advantages of this mechanism, but could also help avoiding cannibalism. We tested this hypothesis by quantifying cannibalism by never-fed first-instar larvae on: (1) just-fed 5th instar bugs, (2) artificially heated just-fed bugs, (3) heated or (4) non-heated objects of the same size. In line with our hypothesis, non-heated just-fed bugs were not attacked by the 1st instar larvae, whereas heated bugs and object triggered biting behaviour in starved bugs, which performed either cleptohaematophagy or haemolymphagy on heated bugs. We conclude that cannibalism triggered by thermal stimuli has been one of the selection pressures that gave origin to thermoregulation during feeding on kissing bugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio R Lazzari
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte, UMR CNRS 7261 - Université de Tours, France.
| | - Aurélie Fauquet
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte, UMR CNRS 7261 - Université de Tours, France
| | - Chloé Lahondère
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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Páez-Rondón O, Aldana E, Dickens J, Otálora-Luna F. Ethological description of a fixed action pattern in a kissing bug (Triatominae): vision, gustation, proboscis extension and drinking of water and guava. J ETHOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10164-018-0547-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Triatomines (Heteroptera, Reduviidae) are vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease in America. These true bugs have traditionally been considered to be blood suckers, although some species have been catalogued as being entomophagous. By using their highly specialized mouthparts, these insects have evolved a stereotyped habit which includes lifting up the proboscis, piercing and sucking, when the occasion arises. Most triatomines bite their sleeping and unaware vertebrate or invertebrate hosts, but they can also search for other targets, guided, in part, by visual and chemical stimuli. In this study, we observed that triatomines apparently visually identify a drop of water in the distance, then taste it with their legs, upon which proboscis extension and sucking ensues. This invariant behavior or fixed action pattern, observed in several triatomine species (Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma infestans and Panstrongylus geniculatus), was also elicited by a dummy drop of water and guava fruit. We discuss evolutionary and ethological aspects of this innate behavior. Digital video images related to this article are available at http://www.momo-p.com/showdetail-e.php?movieid=momo180314rp01a and http://www.momo-p.com/showdetail-e.php?movieid=momo180314rp03a.
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Coaglio AL, Ferreira MAND, Dos Santos Lima W, de Jesus Pereira CA. Identification of a phenoloxidase- and melanin-dependent defence mechanism in Achatina fulica infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:113. [PMID: 29482644 PMCID: PMC5828409 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2710-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Angiostrongylus vasorum has different freshwater aquatic and terrestrial gastropod molluscs as an intermediate host, e.g. Arion spp. The mollusc Achatina fulica is a danger to public health, given the large diversity of nematodes utilizing it as an intermediate host, such as the parasites of the genus Angiostrongylus, of importance in human and veterinary medicine. Achatina fulica has been shown to have an excellent capacity for maintaining outbreaks and natural infections with A. cantonensis in Asia. Within the mollusc, the nematode parasites activate haemocytes and/or haemolymph factors and in some invertebrates, phenoloxidase (PO), that induces the release of toxic elements and eliminates the parasites. Despite the importance of A. fulica in the life-cycle of nematodes, little is known regarding the defence mechanisms involving PO in molluscs infected with nematodes. Here, the presence of PO and nitric oxide (NO) in the haemolymph and haemocytes of A. fulica infected with first-stage (L1) larvae of Angiostrongylus vasorum was evaluated, together with the presence of melanin in the cephalopod mollusc tissue. Results An increase in PO at one day post infection (dpi), in comparison with the control using the substrates L-tyrosine (F(4,90) = 6.73, P = 0.00006), L-DOPA (F(4,90) = 22.67, P = 0.02) and p-phenylenediamine (PPD) (F(4,90) = 27.58, P = 0.0019), was observed. PO increase coincided with the presence of melanin in the cephalopodal tissue. At 8 dpi, PO activity, compared to L-DOPA (F(4,90) = 22.67, P = 0.00002) and PPD (F(4,90) = 27.58, P = 0.079) decreased, while melanin increased. At 13 dpi, PO decreased with PPD (F(4,90) = 27.58, P = 0.000015) and also the amount of melanin observed in histology. At 30 dpi, PO increased along with the substrates L-DOPA and PPD, while melanin decreased. NO levels increased until 8 dpi, and decreased after 13 dpi. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study that illustrates PO activity in a helminth-infected A. fulica and provides the first observation of an L-tyrosine dependent PO activity in molluscs infected with A. vasorum. This work suggests that PO pathway may help to control A. vasorum infection in A. fulica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aytube Lucas Coaglio
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Walter Dos Santos Lima
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Sant'Anna MRV, Soares AC, Araujo RN, Gontijo NF, Pereira MH. Triatomines (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) blood intake: Physical constraints and biological adaptations. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 97:20-26. [PMID: 27521585 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2016.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Revised: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In order to efficiently obtain blood from their vertebrate hosts, bloodsucking arthropods have undergone an evolutionary selection process leading to specialist adaptations in their feeding apparatus (mouthparts and suction pumps) and salivary molecules. These adaptations act to counteract haemostasis, inflammation, and immune responses in their vertebrate hosts. The association of haematophagous arthropods with vertebrate hosts during a blood feed allows the transmission of pathogens between their hosts and vectors in a tripartite interaction. Feeding mechanisms in haematophagous arthropod species have been the subject of studies over at least eight decades worldwide, as a consequence of the importance of vector-borne diseases and their impact on human health. Here we review studies of the feeding mechanisms of triatomine bugs, with a particular focus on factors that influence their feeding performance when obtaining a blood meal from different vertebrate hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurício Roberto Viana Sant'Anna
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, Belo Horizonte CEP 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Adriana Coelho Soares
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, Belo Horizonte CEP 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Nascimento Araujo
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, Belo Horizonte CEP 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Nelder Figueiredo Gontijo
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, Belo Horizonte CEP 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Marcos Horácio Pereira
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, Belo Horizonte CEP 31270-901, Brazil.
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13
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Durán P, Siñani E, Depickère S. On triatomines, cockroaches and haemolymphagy under laboratory conditions: new discoveries. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2016; 111:605-613. [PMID: 27706376 PMCID: PMC5066326 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760160027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
For a long time, haematophagy was considered an obligate condition for triatomines
(Hemiptera: Reduviidae) to complete their life cycle. Today, the ability to use
haemolymphagy is suggested to represent an important survival strategy for some
species, especially those in genus Belminus. As Eratyrus
mucronatus and Triatoma boliviana are found with
cockroaches in the Blaberinae subfamily in Bolivia, their developmental cycle from
egg to adult under a “cockroach diet” was studied. The results suggested that having
only cockroach haemolymph as a food source compromised development cycle completion
in both species. Compared to a “mouse diet”, the cockroach diet increased: (i) the
mortality at each nymphal instar; (ii) the number of feedings needed to molt; (iii)
the volume of the maximum food intake; and (iv) the time needed to molt. In
conclusion, haemolymph could effectively support survival in the field in both
species. Nevertheless, under laboratory conditions, the use of haemolymphagy as a
survival strategy in the first developmental stages of these species was not
supported, as their mortality was very high. Finally, when Triatoma
infestans, Rhodnius stali and Panstrongylus
rufotuberculatus species were reared on a cockroach diet under similar
conditions, all died rather than feeding on cockroaches. These results are discussed
in the context of the ecology of each species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Durán
- Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Instituto de Investigación en Salud y Desarrollo, Cátedra de Parasitología, La Paz, Bolivia
| | - Edda Siñani
- Instituto Nacional de Laboratorios de Salud, Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, La Paz, Bolivia
| | - Stéphanie Depickère
- Instituto Nacional de Laboratorios de Salud, Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, La Paz, Bolivia.,Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Embajada Francia, La Paz, Plurinational State of Bolivia
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Walker AA, Weirauch C, Fry BG, King GF. Venoms of Heteropteran Insects: A Treasure Trove of Diverse Pharmacological Toolkits. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:43. [PMID: 26907342 PMCID: PMC4773796 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8020043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Revised: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The piercing-sucking mouthparts of the true bugs (Insecta: Hemiptera: Heteroptera) have allowed diversification from a plant-feeding ancestor into a wide range of trophic strategies that include predation and blood-feeding. Crucial to the success of each of these strategies is the injection of venom. Here we review the current state of knowledge with regard to heteropteran venoms. Predaceous species produce venoms that induce rapid paralysis and liquefaction. These venoms are powerfully insecticidal, and may cause paralysis or death when injected into vertebrates. Disulfide-rich peptides, bioactive phospholipids, small molecules such as N,N-dimethylaniline and 1,2,5-trithiepane, and toxic enzymes such as phospholipase A2, have been reported in predatory venoms. However, the detailed composition and molecular targets of predatory venoms are largely unknown. In contrast, recent research into blood-feeding heteropterans has revealed the structure and function of many protein and non-protein components that facilitate acquisition of blood meals. Blood-feeding venoms lack paralytic or liquefying activity but instead are cocktails of pharmacological modulators that disable the host haemostatic systems simultaneously at multiple points. The multiple ways venom is used by heteropterans suggests that further study will reveal heteropteran venom components with a wide range of bioactivities that may be recruited for use as bioinsecticides, human therapeutics, and pharmacological tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Walker
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Christiane Weirauch
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
| | - Bryan G Fry
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Ferreira LDL, Pereira MH, Guarneri AA. Revisiting Trypanosoma rangeli Transmission Involving Susceptible and Non-Susceptible Hosts. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0140575. [PMID: 26469403 PMCID: PMC4607475 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Accepted: 09/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma rangeli infects several triatomine and mammal species in South America. Its transmission is known to occur when a healthy insect feeds on an infected mammal or when an infected insect bites a healthy mammal. In the present study we evaluated the classic way of T. rangeli transmission started by the bite of a single infected triatomine, as well as alternative ways of circulation of this parasite among invertebrate hosts. The number of metacyclic trypomastigotes eliminated from salivary glands during a blood meal was quantified for unfed and recently fed nymphs. The quantification showed that ~50,000 parasites can be liberated during a single blood meal. The transmission of T. rangeli from mice to R. prolixus was evaluated using infections started through the bite of a single infected nymph. The mice that served as the blood source for single infected nymphs showed a high percentage of infection and efficiently transmitted the infection to new insects. Parasites were recovered by xenodiagnosis in insects fed on mice with infections that lasted approximately four months. Hemolymphagy and co-feeding were tested to evaluate insect-insect T. rangeli transmission. T. rangeli was not transmitted during hemolymphagy. However, insects that had co-fed on mice with infected conspecifics exhibited infection rates of approximately 80%. Surprisingly, 16% of the recipient nymphs became infected when pigeons were used as hosts. Our results show that T. rangeli is efficiently transmitted between the evaluated hosts. Not only are the insect-mouse-insect transmission rates high, but parasites can also be transmitted between insects while co-feeding on a living host. We show for the first time that birds can be part of the T. rangeli transmission cycle as we proved that insect-insect transmission is feasible during a co-feeding on these hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana de Lima Ferreira
- Vector Behavior and Pathogen Interaction Group, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Marcos Horácio Pereira
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Aparecida Guarneri
- Vector Behavior and Pathogen Interaction Group, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Otálora-Luna F, Pérez-Sánchez AJ, Sandoval C, Aldana E. Evolution of hematophagous habit in Triatominae (Heteroptera: Reduviidae). REVISTA CHILENA DE HISTORIA NATURAL 2015. [DOI: 10.1186/s40693-014-0032-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Isolation and molecular characterization of a major hemolymph serpin from the triatomine, Panstrongylus megistus. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:23. [PMID: 24423259 PMCID: PMC3898217 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2013] [Accepted: 12/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chagas disease kills 2.5 thousand people per year of 15 million persons infected in Latin America. The disease is caused by the protozoan, Trypanosome cruzi, and vectored by triatomine insects, including Panstrongylus megistus, an important vector in Brazil. Medicines treating Chagas disease have unpleasant side effects and may be ineffective, therefore, alternative control techniques are required. Knowledge of the T. cruzi interactions with the triatomine host needs extending and new targets/strategies for control identified. Serine and cysteine peptidases play vital roles in protozoan life cycles including invasion and entry of T. cruzi into host cells. Peptidase inhibitors are, therefore, promising targets for disease control. Methods SDS PAGE and chromatograpy detected and isolated a P. megistus serpin which was peptide sequenced by mass spectrometry. A full amino acid sequence was obtained from the cDNA and compared with other insect serpins. Reverse transcription PCR analysis measured serpin transcripts of P. megistus tissues with and without T. cruzi infection. Serpin homology modeling used the Swiss Model and Swiss-PDB viewer programmes. Results The P. megistus serpin (PMSRP1) has a ca. 40 kDa molecular mass with 404 amino acid residues. A reactive site loop contains a highly conserved hinge region but, based on sequence alignment, the normal cleavage site for serine proteases at P1-P1′ was translocated to the putative position P4′-P5′. A small peptide obtained corresponded to the C-terminal 40 amino acid region. The secondary structure of PMSRP1 indicated nine α-helices and three β-sheets, similar to other serpins. PMSRP1 transcripts occurred in all tested tissues but were highest in the fat body and hemocytes. Levels of mRNA encoding PMSRP1 were significantly modulated in the hemocytes and stomach by T. cruzi infection indicating a role for PMSRP1 in the parasite interactions with P. megistus. Conclusions For the first time, a constitutively expressed serpin has been characterized from the hemolymph of a triatomine. This opens up new research avenues into the roles of serine peptidases in the T. cruzi/P. megistus association. Initial experiments indicate a role for PMSRP1 in T. cruzi interactions with P. megistus and will lead to further functional studies of this molecule.
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Kjos SA, Marcet PL, Yabsley MJ, Kitron U, Snowden KF, Logan KS, Barnes JC, Dotson EM. Identification of bloodmeal sources and Trypanosoma cruzi infection in triatomine bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) from residential settings in Texas, the United States. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2013; 50:1126-39. [PMID: 24180119 PMCID: PMC3932564 DOI: 10.1603/me12242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The host-vector-parasite interactions in Chagas disease peridomestic transmission cycles in the United States are not yet well understood. Trypanosoma cruzi (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) infection prevalence and bloodmeal sources were determined for adult and immature triatomine (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) specimens collected from residential settings in central Texas. Sequenced cytochrome b DNA segments obtained from triatomine digestive tract identified nine vertebrate hosts and one invertebrate host in four triatomine species (Triatoma gerstaeckeri, Triatoma indictiva, Triatoma protracta, and Triatoma sanguisuga). The broad range of wild and domestic host species detected in triatomine specimens collected from residential sites indicates high host diversity and potential movement between the sylvatic and peridomestic settings. Domestic dogs appear to be key in the maintenance of the peridomestic transmission cycle as both a blood host for the triatomine vectors and a potential reservoir for the parasite. The high rate of T. cruzi infection among triatomine specimens that were collected from inside houses, outside houses, and dog kennels (69, 81, and 82%, respectively) suggests a current risk for Chagas disease vector-borne transmission for humans and domestic animals in residential settings in Texas because of overlap with the sylvatic cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia A Kjos
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Entomology Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., MS G49, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
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