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Abbo SR, de Almeida JPP, Olmo RP, Balvers C, Griep JS, Linthout C, Koenraadt CJM, Silva BM, Fros JJ, Aguiar ERGR, Marois E, Pijlman GP, Marques JT. The virome of the invasive Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus in Europe. Virus Evol 2023; 9:vead041. [PMID: 37636319 PMCID: PMC10460169 DOI: 10.1093/ve/vead041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus is rapidly invading North America and Europe. Due to its potential to transmit multiple pathogenic arthropod-borne (arbo)viruses including Zika virus, West Nile virus, and chikungunya virus, it is important to understand the biology of this vector mosquito in more detail. In addition to arboviruses, mosquitoes can also carry insect-specific viruses that are receiving increasing attention due to their potential effects on host physiology and arbovirus transmission. In this study, we characterized the collection of viruses, referred to as the virome, circulating in Ae. japonicus populations in the Netherlands and France. Applying a small RNA-based metagenomic approach to Ae. japonicus, we uncovered a distinct group of viruses present in samples from both the Netherlands and France. These included one known virus, Ae. japonicus narnavirus 1 (AejapNV1), and three new virus species that we named Ae. japonicus totivirus 1 (AejapTV1), Ae. japonicus anphevirus 1 (AejapAV1) and Ae. japonicus bunyavirus 1 (AejapBV1). We also discovered sequences that were presumably derived from two additional novel viruses: Ae. japonicus bunyavirus 2 (AejapBV2) and Ae. japonicus rhabdovirus 1 (AejapRV1). All six viruses induced strong RNA interference responses, including the production of twenty-one nucleotide-sized small interfering RNAs, a signature of active replication in the host. Notably, AejapBV1 and AejapBV2 belong to different viral families; however, no RNA-dependent RNA polymerase sequence has been found for AejapBV2. Intriguingly, our small RNA-based approach identified an ∼1-kb long ambigrammatic RNA that is associated with AejapNV1 as a secondary segment but showed no similarity to any sequence in public databases. We confirmed the presence of AejapNV1 primary and secondary segments, AejapTV1, AejapAV1, and AejapBV1 by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in wild-caught Ae. japonicus mosquitoes. AejapNV1 and AejapTV1 were found at high prevalence (87-100 per cent) in adult females, adult males, and larvae. Using a small RNA-based, sequence-independent metagenomic strategy, we uncovered a conserved and prevalent virome among Ae. japonicus mosquito populations. The high prevalence of AejapNV1 and AejapTV1 across all tested mosquito life stages suggests that these viruses are intimately associated with Ae. japonicus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra R Abbo
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - João P P de Almeida
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Roenick P Olmo
- Insect Models of Innate Immunity, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, 2 Allee Konrad Roentgen, Strasbourg 67000, France
| | - Carlijn Balvers
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Jet S Griep
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte Linthout
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Constantianus J M Koenraadt
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Bruno M Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Jelke J Fros
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Eric R G R Aguiar
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
- Department of Biological Science, Center of Biotechnology and Genetics, State University of Santa Cruz, Rod. Jorge Amado Km 16, Ilhéus 45662-900, Brazil
| | - Eric Marois
- Insect Models of Innate Immunity, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, 2 Allee Konrad Roentgen, Strasbourg 67000, France
| | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - João T Marques
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
- Insect Models of Innate Immunity, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, 2 Allee Konrad Roentgen, Strasbourg 67000, France
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van Bree JW, Visser I, Duyvestyn JM, Aguilar-Bretones M, Marshall EM, van Hemert MJ, Pijlman GP, van Nierop GP, Kikkert M, Rockx BH, Miesen P, Fros JJ. Novel approaches for the rapid development of rationally designed arbovirus vaccines. One Health 2023; 16:100565. [PMID: 37363258 PMCID: PMC10288159 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases, including those transmitted by mosquitoes, account for more than 17% of infectious diseases worldwide. This number is expected to rise with an increased spread of vector mosquitoes and viruses due to climate change and man-made alterations to ecosystems. Among the most common, medically relevant mosquito-borne infections are those caused by arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses), especially members of the genera Flavivirus and Alphavirus. Arbovirus infections can cause severe disease in humans, livestock and wildlife. Severe consequences from infections include congenital malformations as well as arthritogenic, haemorrhagic or neuroinvasive disease. Inactivated or live-attenuated vaccines (LAVs) are available for a small number of arboviruses; however there are no licensed vaccines for the majority of these infections. Here we discuss recent developments in pan-arbovirus LAV approaches, from site-directed attenuation strategies targeting conserved determinants of virulence to universal strategies that utilize genome-wide re-coding of viral genomes. In addition to these approaches, we discuss novel strategies targeting mosquito saliva proteins that play an important role in virus transmission and pathogenesis in vertebrate hosts. For rapid pre-clinical evaluations of novel arbovirus vaccine candidates, representative in vitro and in vivo experimental systems are required to assess the desired specific immune responses. Here we discuss promising models to study attenuation of neuroinvasion, neurovirulence and virus transmission, as well as antibody induction and potential for cross-reactivity. Investigating broadly applicable vaccination strategies to target the direct interface of the vertebrate host, the mosquito vector and the viral pathogen is a prime example of a One Health strategy to tackle human and animal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce W.M. van Bree
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Imke Visser
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jo M. Duyvestyn
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Eleanor M. Marshall
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Martijn J. van Hemert
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Gorben P. Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Marjolein Kikkert
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Barry H.G. Rockx
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Pascal Miesen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500, HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jelke J. Fros
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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3
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van Bree JWM, Linthout C, van Dijk T, Abbo SR, Fros JJ, Koenraadt CJM, Pijlman GP, Wang H. Competition between two Usutu virus isolates in cell culture and in the common house mosquito Culex pipiens. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1195621. [PMID: 37293213 PMCID: PMC10244747 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1195621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus of African origin. Over the past decades, USUV has spread through Europe causing mass die-offs among multiple bird species. The natural transmission cycle of USUV involves Culex spp. mosquitoes as vectors and birds as amplifying hosts. Next to birds and mosquitoes, USUV has also been isolated from multiple mammalian species, including humans, which are considered dead-end hosts. USUV isolates are phylogenetically classified into an African and European branch, subdivided into eight genetic lineages (Africa 1, 2, and 3 and Europe 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 lineages). Currently, multiple African and European lineages are co-circulating in Europe. Despite increased knowledge of the epidemiology and pathogenicity of the different lineages, the effects of co-infection and transmission efficacy of the co-circulating USUV strains remain unclear. In this study, we report a comparative study between two USUV isolates as follows: a Dutch isolate (USUV-NL, Africa lineage 3) and an Italian isolate (USUV-IT, Europe lineage 2). Upon co-infection, USUV-NL was consistently outcompeted by USUV-IT in mosquito, mammalian, and avian cell lines. In mosquito cells, the fitness advantage of USUV-IT was most prominently observed in comparison to the mammalian or avian cell lines. When Culex pipiens mosquitoes were orally infected with the different isolates, no overall differences in vector competence for USUV-IT and USUV-NL were observed. However, during the in vivo co-infection assay, it was observed that USUV-NL infectivity and transmission were negatively affected by USUV-IT but not vice versa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce W. M. van Bree
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Charlotte Linthout
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Teije van Dijk
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Sandra R. Abbo
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Jelke J. Fros
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | | | - Gorben P. Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Haidong Wang
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
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4
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Wang H, Abbo SR, Visser TM, Westenberg M, Geertsema C, Fros JJ, Koenraadt CJM, Pijlman GP. Competition between Usutu virus and West Nile virus during simultaneous and sequential infection of Culex pipiens mosquitoes. Emerg Microbes Infect 2021; 9:2642-2652. [PMID: 33215969 PMCID: PMC7738303 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2020.1854623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) and West Nile virus (WNV) are closely related mosquito-borne flaviviruses that are mainly transmitted between bird hosts by vector mosquitoes. Infections in humans are incidental but can cause severe disease. USUV is endemic in large parts of Europe, while WNV mainly circulates in Southern Europe. In recent years, WNV is also frequently detected in Northern Europe, thereby expanding the area where both viruses co-circulate. However, it remains unclear how USUV may affect the future spread of WNV and the likelihood of human co-infection. Here we investigated whether co-infections with both viruses in cell lines and their primary mosquito vector, Culex pipiens, affect virus replication and transmission dynamics. We show that USUV is outcompeted by WNV in mammalian, avian and mosquito cells during co-infection. Mosquitoes that were exposed to both viruses simultaneously via infectious blood meal displayed significantly reduced USUV transmission compared to mosquitoes that were only exposed to USUV (from 15% to 3%), while the infection and transmission of WNV was unaffected. In contrast, when mosquitoes were pre-infected with USUV via infectious blood meal, WNV transmission was significantly reduced (from 44% to 17%). Injection experiments established the involvement of the midgut in the observed USUV-mediated WNV inhibition. The competition between USUV and WNV during co-infection clearly indicates that the chance of concurrent USUV and WNV transmission via a single mosquito bite is low. The competitive relation between USUV and WNV may impact virus transmission dynamics in the field and affect the epidemiology of WNV in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haidong Wang
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Sandra R Abbo
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Tessa M Visser
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Marcel Westenberg
- Dutch National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO-NL), Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Corinne Geertsema
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Jelke J Fros
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | | | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
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5
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Fros JJ, Visser I, Tang B, Yan K, Nakayama E, Visser TM, Koenraadt CJM, van Oers MM, Pijlman GP, Suhrbier A, Simmonds P. The dinucleotide composition of the Zika virus genome is shaped by conflicting evolutionary pressures in mammalian hosts and mosquito vectors. PLoS Biol 2021; 19:e3001201. [PMID: 33872300 PMCID: PMC8084339 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Most vertebrate RNA viruses show pervasive suppression of CpG and UpA dinucleotides, closely resembling the dinucleotide composition of host cell transcriptomes. In contrast, CpG suppression is absent in both invertebrate mRNA and RNA viruses that exclusively infect arthropods. Arthropod-borne (arbo) viruses are transmitted between vertebrate hosts by invertebrate vectors and thus encounter potentially conflicting evolutionary pressures in the different cytoplasmic environments. Using a newly developed Zika virus (ZIKV) model, we have investigated how demands for CpG suppression in vertebrate cells can be reconciled with potentially quite different compositional requirements in invertebrates and how this affects ZIKV replication and transmission. Mutant viruses with synonymously elevated CpG or UpA dinucleotide frequencies showed attenuated replication in vertebrate cell lines, which was rescued by knockout of the zinc-finger antiviral protein (ZAP). Conversely, in mosquito cells, ZIKV mutants with elevated CpG dinucleotide frequencies showed substantially enhanced replication compared to wild type. Host-driven effects on virus replication attenuation and enhancement were even more apparent in mouse and mosquito models. Infections with CpG- or UpA-high ZIKV mutants in mice did not cause typical ZIKV-induced tissue damage and completely protected mice during subsequent challenge with wild-type virus, which demonstrates their potential as live-attenuated vaccines. In contrast, the CpG-high mutants displayed enhanced replication in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and a larger proportion of mosquitoes carried infectious virus in their saliva. These findings show that mosquito cells are also capable of discriminating RNA based on dinucleotide composition. However, the evolutionary pressure on the CpG dinucleotides of viral genomes in arthropod vectors directly opposes the pressure present in vertebrate host cells, which provides evidence that an adaptive compromise is required for arbovirus transmission. This suggests that the genome composition of arbo flaviviruses is crucial to maintain the balance between high-level replication in the vertebrate host and persistent replication in the mosquito vector. The genome of the flavivirus Zika virus is stuck in a tug-of-war between two directly opposing evolutionary pressures that are present in the cells of mammalian host organisms and mosquito vectors; this results in an adaptive compromise, as manifested in the virus’s genome dinucleotide composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelke J. Fros
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Imke Visser
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bing Tang
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kexin Yan
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Eri Nakayama
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Virology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tessa M. Visser
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Monique M. van Oers
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Gorben P. Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Andreas Suhrbier
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Peter Simmonds
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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6
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Nowee G, Bakker JW, Geertsema C, Ros VID, Göertz GP, Fros JJ, Pijlman GP. A Tale of 20 Alphaviruses; Inter-species Diversity and Conserved Interactions Between Viral Non-structural Protein 3 and Stress Granule Proteins. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:625711. [PMID: 33644063 PMCID: PMC7905232 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.625711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Alphaviruses infect a diverse range of host organisms including mosquitoes, mammals, and birds. The enigmatic alphavirus non-structural protein 3 (nsP3) has an intrinsically disordered, C-terminal hypervariable domain (HVD) that can interact with a variety of host proteins associated with stress granules (SGs). The HVD displays the highest variability across the more than 30 known alphaviruses, yet it also contains several motifs that are conserved amongst different subgroups of alphaviruses. For some alphaviruses, specific nsP3–SG protein interactions are essential for virus replication. However, it remains difficult to attribute general roles to these virus-host interactions, as multiple amino acid motifs in the HDV display a degree of redundancy and previous studies were performed with a limited number of alphaviruses. To better understand nsP3-host protein interactions we conducted comprehensive co-localization experiments with the nsP3s of 20 diverse alphaviruses: chikungunya, Semliki Forest, Sindbis, Bebaru, Barmah Forest, Getah, Mayaro, Middelburg, O'nyong-nyong, Ross River QML and T48, Una, Whataroa, Southern Elephant Seal, Eilat, Tai Forest (TAFV), Venezuelan/Eastern/Western equine encephalitis (V/E/WEEV) and the aquatic Salmonid alphavirus (SAV), with three different SG proteins (G3BP and its insect homolog Rasputin, FMRP) and BIN1 in mammalian and mosquito cell lines. Despite that all terrestrial alphavirus nsP3s contained at least one BIN1-binding motif (PxPxPR), not all nsP3s co-localized with BIN1. Further, all alphaviruses except SAV, TAFV and VEEV displayed co-localization with G3BP. Although viruses lacking FGxF-like motifs contained Agenet-like domain binding motifs to facilitate interaction with FMRP, cytoplasmic nsP3 granules of all tested alphaviruses co-localized with FMRP. Crispr-Cas9 knockout of G3BP in mammalian cells abolished nsP3-FMRP co-localization for all alphaviruses except V/E/WEEV nsP3s that bind FMRP directly. G3BP knockout also changed nsP3 subcellular localization of Bebaru, Barmah Forest, Getah, and Sindbis viruses. Taken together this study paints a more detailed picture of the diverse interactions between alphavirus nsP3 and SG-associated host proteins. The interaction between nsP3 and G3BP clearly plays a central role and results in recruitment of additional host proteins such as FMRP. However, direct binding of FMRP can make the interaction with G3BP redundant which exemplifies the alternate evolutionary paths of alphavirus subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwen Nowee
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Julian W Bakker
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Corinne Geertsema
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Vera I D Ros
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Giel P Göertz
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Jelke J Fros
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
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7
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Abbo SR, Visser TM, Wang H, Göertz GP, Fros JJ, Abma-Henkens MHC, Geertsema C, Vogels CBF, Koopmans MPG, Reusken CBEM, Hall-Mendelin S, Hall RA, van Oers MM, Koenraadt CJM, Pijlman GP. The invasive Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus found in the Netherlands can experimentally transmit Zika virus and Usutu virus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008217. [PMID: 32282830 PMCID: PMC7153878 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus is invading Europe and was first discovered in Lelystad, the Netherlands in 2013, where it has established a permanent population. In this study, we investigated the vector competence of Ae. japonicus from the Netherlands for the emerging Zika virus (ZIKV) and zoonotic Usutu virus (USUV). ZIKV causes severe congenital microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome in humans. USUV is closely related to West Nile virus, has recently spread throughout Europe and is causing mass mortality of birds. USUV infection in humans can result in clinical manifestations ranging from mild disease to severe neurological impairments. Methodology/Principal findings In our study, field-collected Ae. japonicus females received an infectious blood meal with ZIKV or USUV by droplet feeding. After 14 days at 28°C, 3% of the ZIKV-blood fed mosquitoes and 13% of the USUV-blood fed mosquitoes showed virus-positive saliva, indicating that Ae. japonicus can transmit both viruses. To investigate the effect of the mosquito midgut barrier on virus transmission, female mosquitoes were intrathoracically injected with ZIKV or USUV. Of the injected mosquitoes, 96% (ZIKV) and 88% (USUV) showed virus-positive saliva after 14 days at 28°C. This indicates that ZIKV and USUV can efficiently replicate in Ae. japonicus but that a strong midgut barrier is normally restricting virus dissemination. Small RNA deep sequencing of orally infected mosquitoes confirmed active replication of ZIKV and USUV, as demonstrated by potent small interfering RNA responses against both viruses. Additionally, de novo small RNA assembly revealed the presence of a novel narnavirus in Ae. japonicus. Conclusions/Significance Given that Ae. japonicus can experimentally transmit arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) like ZIKV and USUV and is currently expanding its territories, we should consider this mosquito as a potential vector for arboviral diseases in Europe. Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) cause a high disease burden in humans and animals. Zika virus (ZIKV) causes microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome in humans, whereas Usutu virus (USUV) induces high mortality in birds and neurological disease in humans. The spread of arboviruses such as ZIKV and USUV is determined by the presence of mosquitoes that can transmit these viruses from one vertebrate host to the next. Here, we investigate the risk of transmission of ZIKV and USUV by the Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus. This mosquito is invading Europe and is currently present in the Netherlands. We found that field-collected Ae. japonicus mosquitoes can experimentally transmit ZIKV and USUV. Of the orally infected mosquitoes, 3% (ZIKV) and 13% (USUV) showed virus-positive saliva after 14 days at 28°C. We also found that ZIKV and USUV activated the antiviral RNA interference immune response of Ae. japonicus. Moreover, a strong barrier in the mosquito midgut restricted virus dissemination, since 96% (ZIKV) and 88% (USUV) of the mosquitoes injected with ZIKV or USUV showed virus-positive saliva. Additionally, we discovered a narnavirus in Ae. japonicus. Given that Ae. japonicus can transmit ZIKV and USUV, we should consider this mosquito as a potential vector for arboviral diseases in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra R. Abbo
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Tessa M. Visser
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Haidong Wang
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Giel P. Göertz
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jelke J. Fros
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Corinne Geertsema
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Chantal B. F. Vogels
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Sonja Hall-Mendelin
- Public Health Virology, Forensic and Scientific Services, Department of Health, Coopers Plains, Australia
| | - Roy A. Hall
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - Monique M. van Oers
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Gorben P. Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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8
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Odon V, Fros JJ, Goonawardane N, Dietrich I, Ibrahim A, Alshaikhahmed K, Nguyen D, Simmonds P. The role of ZAP and OAS3/RNAseL pathways in the attenuation of an RNA virus with elevated frequencies of CpG and UpA dinucleotides. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:8061-8083. [PMID: 31276592 PMCID: PMC6735852 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc finger antiviral protein (ZAP) is a powerful restriction factor for viruses with elevated CpG dinucleotide frequencies. We report that ZAP similarly mediates antiviral restriction against echovirus 7 (E7) mutants with elevated frequencies of UpA dinucleotides. Attenuation of both CpG- and UpA-high viruses and replicon mutants was reversed in ZAP k/o cell lines, and restored by plasmid-derived reconstitution of expression in k/o cells. In pull-down assays, ZAP bound to viral RNA transcripts with either CpG- and UpA-high sequences inserted in the R2 region. We found no evidence that attenuation of CpG- or UpA-high mutants was mediated through either translation inhibition or accelerated RNA degradation. Reversal of the attenuation of CpG-high, and UpA-high E7 viruses and replicons was also achieved through knockout of RNAseL and oligodenylate synthetase 3 (OAS3), but not OAS1. WT levels of replication of CpG- and UpA-high mutants were observed in OAS3 k/o cells despite abundant expression of ZAP, indicative of synergy or complementation of these hitherto unconnected pathways. The dependence on expression of ZAP, OAS3 and RNAseL for CpG/UpA-mediated attenuation and the variable and often low level expression of these pathway proteins in certain cell types, such as those of the central nervous system, has implications for the use of CpG-elevated mutants as attenuated live vaccines against neurotropic viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Odon
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Jelke J Fros
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK.,Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Niluka Goonawardane
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Isabelle Dietrich
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Ahmad Ibrahim
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Kinda Alshaikhahmed
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Dung Nguyen
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Peter Simmonds
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK
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9
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Vogels CBF, Fros JJ, Pijlman GP, van Loon JJA, Gort G, Koenraadt CJM. Virus interferes with host-seeking behaviour of mosquito. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 220:3598-3603. [PMID: 28978641 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.164186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Transmission of vector-borne pathogens is dependent on the host-seeking behaviour of their vector. Pathogen manipulation of the host-seeking behaviour of vectors towards susceptible hosts is supposedly beneficial for transmission. For West Nile virus (WNV), manipulation of the host-seeking behaviour of the main mosquito vector towards birds would be advantageous, because mammals are dead-end hosts. We hypothesised that WNV infection induces a stronger host-seeking response and a shift in host preference towards birds, to enhance its transmission by mosquitoes. However, here we show that WNV infection decreases the host-seeking response, and does not induce a shift in mosquito host preference. Other fitness-related traits are not affected by WNV infection. No effect of WNV infection was found on antennal electrophysiological responsiveness. Thus, the reduced host-seeking response is likely to result from interference in the mosquito's central nervous system. This is the first study that shows changes, specifically in the host-seeking behaviour induced by a pathogen, that do not favour transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal B F Vogels
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jelke J Fros
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joop J A van Loon
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gerrit Gort
- Biometris, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Constantianus J M Koenraadt
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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10
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Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV; family Flaviviridae; genus Flavivirus) is a pathogenic mosquito-borne RNA virus that currently threatens human health in the Americas, large parts of Asia and occasionally elsewhere in the world. ZIKV infection is often asymptomatic but can cause severe symptoms including congenital microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome. The positive single-stranded RNA genome of the mosquito-borne ZIKV requires effective replication in two evolutionary distinct hosts - mosquitoes and primates. In addition to some of the viral proteins, the ZIKV genomic RNA and functional RNAs produced thereof aid in the establishment of productive infection and the evasion of host cell antiviral responses. ZIKV has evolved to contain a nucleotide composition and RNA modifications, such as methylation and the formation of G-quadruplexes that allow effective replication in both hosts. Furthermore, a number of host factors interact with the viral genome to modulate RNA replication. Importantly, the ZIKV genome produces non-coding subgenomic flavivirus RNA (sfRNA) due to stalling of host 5'- 3' ribonucleases on viral RNA structures in the 3' untranslated region (UTR). This sfRNA (sfRNA) exerts important proviral functions such as antagonizing the innate interferon response and RNA interference. Here, we discuss the ZIKV genomic RNA and functional RNAs thereof to assess their significance during ZIKV infection. Understanding the details of the ZIKV infection cycle will aid in the development of effective antiviral strategies and safe vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giel P Göertz
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Sandra R Abbo
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Jelke J Fros
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands; Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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11
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Vogels CBF, Fros JJ, Göertz GP, Pijlman GP, Koenraadt CJM. Vector competence of northern European Culex pipiens biotypes and hybrids for West Nile virus is differentially affected by temperature. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:393. [PMID: 27388451 PMCID: PMC4937539 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1677-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Outbreaks of West Nile virus (WNV) have not occurred in northern Europe despite nearby circulation of WNV in the southern part of the continent. The main vector for WNV, the mosquito Culex (Cx.) pipiens, consists of two behaviorally distinct biotypes, pipiens and molestus, which can form hybrids. Although temperature has been shown to influence vector competence of Cx. pipiens for WNV and biotypes are differentially susceptible towards infection, the interaction between the two has not been elucidated. METHODS We determined vector competence of the Cx. pipiens biotypes and hybrids, after 14 days of incubation at 18, 23 and 28 °C. Mosquitoes were orally infected by providing an infectious blood meal or by injecting WNV directly in the thorax. Infection and transmission rates were determined by testing the bodies and saliva for WNV presence. In addition, titers of mosquitoes with WNV-positive bodies and saliva samples were determined. RESULTS Orally infected biotype pipiens and hybrids showed significantly increased transmission rates with higher temperatures, up to 32 and 14 %, respectively. In contrast, the molestus biotype had an overall transmission rate of 10 %, which did not increase with temperature. All mosquitoes that were infected via WNV injections had (close to) 100 % infection and transmission rates, suggesting an important role of the mosquito midgut barrier. We found no effect of increasing temperature on viral titers. CONCLUSIONS Temperature differentially affected vector competence of the Cx. pipiens biotypes. This shows the importance of accounting for biotype-by-temperature interactions, which influence the outcomes of vector competence studies. Vector competence studies with Cx. pipiens mosquitoes differentiated to the biotype level are essential for proper WNV risk assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal B F Vogels
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Jelke J Fros
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SY, England, UK
| | - Giel P Göertz
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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12
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Fros JJ, Pijlman GP. Alphavirus Infection: Host Cell Shut-Off and Inhibition of Antiviral Responses. Viruses 2016; 8:v8060166. [PMID: 27294951 PMCID: PMC4926186 DOI: 10.3390/v8060166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2016] [Revised: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Alphaviruses cause debilitating disease in humans and animals and are transmitted by blood-feeding arthropods, typically mosquitoes. With a traditional focus on two models, Sindbis virus and Semliki Forest virus, alphavirus research has significantly intensified in the last decade partly due to the re-emergence and dramatic expansion of chikungunya virus in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. As a consequence, alphavirus–host interactions are now understood in much more molecular detail, and important novel mechanisms have been elucidated. It has become clear that alphaviruses not only cause a general host shut-off in infected vertebrate cells, but also specifically suppress different host antiviral pathways using their viral nonstructural proteins, nsP2 and nsP3. Here we review the current state of the art of alphavirus host cell shut-off of viral transcription and translation, and describe recent insights in viral subversion of interferon induction and signaling, the unfolded protein response, and stress granule assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelke J Fros
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, England, UK.
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen 6700 AB, The Netherlands.
| | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen 6700 AB, The Netherlands.
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13
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Fros JJ, Geertsema C, Zouache K, Baggen J, Domeradzka N, van Leeuwen DM, Flipse J, Vlak JM, Failloux AB, Pijlman GP. Mosquito Rasputin interacts with chikungunya virus nsP3 and determines the infection rate in Aedes albopictus. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:464. [PMID: 26384002 PMCID: PMC4573678 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1070-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arthritogenic alphavirus (family Togaviridae), transmitted by Aedes species mosquitoes. CHIKV re-emerged in 2004 with multiple outbreaks worldwide and recently reached the Americas where it has infected over a million individuals in a rapidly expanding epidemic. While alphavirus replication is well understood in general, the specific function (s) of non-structural protein nsP3 remain elusive. CHIKV nsP3 modulates the mammalian stress response by preventing stress granule formation through sequestration of G3BP. In mosquitoes, nsP3 is a determinant of vector specificity, but its functional interaction with mosquito proteins is unclear. Methods In this research we studied the domains required for localization of CHIKV nsP3 in insect cells and demonstrated its molecular interaction with Rasputin (Rin), the mosquito homologue of G3BP. The biological involvement of Rin in CHIKV infection was investigated in live Ae. albopictus mosquitoes. Results In insect cells, nsP3 localized as cytoplasmic granules, which was dependent on the central domain and the C-terminal variable region but independent of the N-terminal macrodomain. Ae. albopictus Rin displayed a diffuse, cytoplasmic localization, but was effectively sequestered into nsP3-granules upon nsP3 co-expression. Site-directed mutagenesis showed that the Rin-nsP3 interaction involved the NTF2-like domain of Rin and two conserved TFGD repeats in the C-terminal variable domain of nsP3. Although in vitro silencing of Rin did not impact nsP3 localization or CHIKV replication in cell culture, Rin depletion in vivo significantly decreased the CHIKV infection rate and transmissibility in Ae.albopictus. Conclusions We identified the nsP3 hypervariable C-terminal domain as a critical factor for granular localization and sequestration of mosquito Rin. Our study offers novel insight into a conserved virus-mosquito interaction at the molecular level, and reveals a strong proviral role for G3BP homologue Rin in live mosquitoes, making the nsP3-Rin interaction a putative target to interfere with the CHIKV transmission cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelke J Fros
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Corinne Geertsema
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Karima Zouache
- Institut Pasteur, Department of Virology, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors, 25-28 rue du Docteur Roux, 75724, Paris, cedex 15, France.
| | - Jim Baggen
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Natalia Domeradzka
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Daniël M van Leeuwen
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Jacky Flipse
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Just M Vlak
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Anna-Bella Failloux
- Institut Pasteur, Department of Virology, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors, 25-28 rue du Docteur Roux, 75724, Paris, cedex 15, France.
| | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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14
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Fros JJ, Miesen P, Vogels CB, Gaibani P, Sambri V, Martina BE, Koenraadt CJ, van Rij RP, Vlak JM, Takken W, Pijlman GP. Comparative Usutu and West Nile virus transmission potential by local Culex pipiens mosquitoes in north-western Europe. One Health 2015; 1:31-36. [PMID: 28616462 PMCID: PMC5441354 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2015.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Revised: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Originating from Africa, Usutu virus (USUV) first emerged in Europe in 2001. This mosquito-borne flavivirus caused high mortality rates in its bird reservoirs, which strongly resembled the introduction of West Nile virus (WNV) in 1999 in the United States. Mosquitoes infected with USUV incidentally transmit the virus to other vertebrates, including humans, which can result in neuroinvasive disease. USUV and WNV co-circulate in parts of southern Europe, but the distribution of USUV extends into central and northwestern Europe. In the field, both viruses have been detected in the northern house mosquito Culex pipiens, of which the potential for USUV transmission is unknown. To understand the transmission dynamics and assess the potential spread of USUV, we determined the vector competence of C. pipiens for USUV and compared it with the well characterized WNV. We show for the first time that northwestern European mosquitoes are highly effective vectors for USUV, with infection rates of 11% at 18 °C and 53% at 23 °C, which are comparable with values obtained for WNV. Interestingly, at a high temperature of 28 °C, mosquitoes became more effectively infected with USUV (90%) than with WNV (58%), which could be attributed to barriers in the mosquito midgut. Small RNA deep sequencing of infected mosquitoes showed for both viruses a strong bias for 21-nucleotide small interfering (si)RNAs, which map across the entire viral genome both on the sense and antisense strand. No evidence for viral PIWI-associated RNA (piRNA) was found, suggesting that the siRNA pathway is the major small RNA pathway that targets USUV and WNV infection in C. pipiens mosquitoes. Northwestern European mosquitoes are highly effective vectors for USUV. Culex pipiens is significantly more competent for USUV than for WNV at 28 °C. The siRNA but not the piRNA pathway targets USUV and WNV infections in C. pipiens. USUV may be a prelude to WNV transmission in northwestern Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelke J Fros
- Laboratory of Virology Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pascal Miesen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Chantal B Vogels
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Paolo Gaibani
- Regional Reference Centre for Microbiological Emergencies (CRREM), Microbiology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy
| | - Vittorio Sambri
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Piazza della Liberazione, 60, 47522 Pievesestina, FC, Italy
| | - Byron E Martina
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Artemis One Health, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Constantianus J Koenraadt
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald P van Rij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Just M Vlak
- Laboratory of Virology Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Willem Takken
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
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15
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Fros JJ, Major LD, Scholte FEM, Gardner J, van Hemert MJ, Suhrbier A, Pijlman GP. Chikungunya virus non-structural protein 2-mediated host shut-off disables the unfolded protein response. J Gen Virol 2014; 96:580-589. [PMID: 25395592 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.071845-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a cellular defence mechanism against high concentrations of misfolded protein in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In the presence of misfolded proteins, ER-transmembrane proteins PERK and IRE1α become activated. PERK phosphorylates eIF2α leading to a general inhibition of cellular translation, whilst the expression of transcription factor ATF4 is upregulated. Active IRE1α splices out an intron from XBP1 mRNA, to produce a potent transcription factor. Activation of the UPR increases the production of several proteins involved in protein folding, degradation and apoptosis. Here, we demonstrated that transient expression of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) (family Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus) envelope glycoproteins induced the UPR and that CHIKV infection resulted in the phosphorylation of eIF2α and partial splicing of XBP1 mRNA. However, infection with CHIKV did not increase the expression of ATF4 and known UPR target genes (GRP78/BiP, GRP94 and CHOP). Moreover, nuclear XBP1 was not observed during CHIKV infection. Even upon stimulation with tunicamycin, the UPR was efficiently inhibited in CHIKV-infected cells. Individual expression of CHIKV non-structural proteins (nsPs) revealed that nsP2 alone was sufficient to inhibit the UPR. Mutations that rendered nsP2 unable to cause host-cell shut-off prevented nsP2-mediated inhibition of the UPR. This indicates that initial UPR induction takes place in the ER but that expression of functional UPR transcription factors and target genes is efficiently inhibited by CHIKV nsP2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelke J Fros
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lee D Major
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
| | - Florine E M Scholte
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Joy Gardner
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
| | - Martijn J van Hemert
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Andreas Suhrbier
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
| | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
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16
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van Cleef KWR, van Mierlo JT, Miesen P, Overheul GJ, Fros JJ, Schuster S, Marklewitz M, Pijlman GP, Junglen S, van Rij RP. Mosquito and Drosophila entomobirnaviruses suppress dsRNA- and siRNA-induced RNAi. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:8732-44. [PMID: 24939903 PMCID: PMC4117760 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a crucial antiviral defense mechanism in insects, including the major mosquito species that transmit important human viruses. To counteract the potent antiviral RNAi pathway, insect viruses encode RNAi suppressors. However, whether mosquito-specific viruses suppress RNAi remains unclear. We therefore set out to study RNAi suppression by Culex Y virus (CYV), a mosquito-specific virus of the Birnaviridae family that was recently isolated from Culex pipiens mosquitoes. We found that the Culex RNAi machinery processes CYV double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into viral small interfering RNAs (vsiRNAs). Furthermore, we show that RNAi is suppressed in CYV-infected cells and that the viral VP3 protein is responsible for RNAi antagonism. We demonstrate that VP3 can functionally replace B2, the well-characterized RNAi suppressor of Flock House virus. VP3 was found to bind long dsRNA as well as siRNAs and interfered with Dicer-2-mediated cleavage of long dsRNA into siRNAs. Slicing of target RNAs by pre-assembled RNA-induced silencing complexes was not affected by VP3. Finally, we show that the RNAi-suppressive activity of VP3 is conserved in Drosophila X virus, a birnavirus that persistently infects Drosophila cell cultures. Together, our data indicate that mosquito-specific viruses may encode RNAi antagonists to suppress antiviral RNAi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen W R van Cleef
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Joël T van Mierlo
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Pascal Miesen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gijs J Overheul
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jelke J Fros
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Susan Schuster
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marco Marklewitz
- Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Sigmund Freud Str. 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Junglen
- Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Sigmund Freud Str. 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Ronald P van Rij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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