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Updated: May 15, 2026

Arbovirus Infections As Screening Tools for the Identification of Viral Immunomodulators and Host Antiviral Factors

Arbovirus Infections As Screening Tools for the Identification of Viral Immunomodulators and Host Antiviral Factors

Published on: September 13, 2018

RNA interference targets arbovirus replication in Culicoides cells.

Esther Schnettler¹, Maxime Ratinier, Mick Watson

¹MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom.

Journal of Virology

|December 28, 2012

Summary

Midges possess a functional RNA interference (RNAi) antiviral response, effectively targeting arboviruses like bluetongue virus (BTV). This discovery reveals a key defense mechanism in insect vectors against viral infections.

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Area of Science:

Molecular biology
Virology
Entomology

Background:

Arboviruses are transmitted by arthropod vectors, facing diverse host antiviral responses.
RNA interference (RNAi) is a crucial antiviral mechanism in mosquitoes against arboviruses.
Culicoides midges are significant arbovirus vectors, transmitting pathogens like bluetongue virus (BTV).

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the presence and efficacy of an antiviral RNAi response in Culicoides midge cells.
To determine if this RNAi response targets arboviruses, including those with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) genomes.

Main Methods:

Utilized reporter gene-based assays to assess RNAi functionality in Culicoides sonorensis (KC) cells.
Sequenced small RNAs from infected KC and Aedes aegypti (Aag2) cells to identify virus-derived small interfering RNAs (viRNAs).

Main Results:

Confirmed a functional RNAi response in Culicoides KC cells, inhibiting bluetongue virus (BTV) infection.
Detected 21-nucleotide virus-derived small interfering RNAs (viRNAs) in infected midge and mosquito cells.
Evidence suggests the BTV dsRNA genome is accessible to Dicer nucleases in midge cells.

Conclusions:

Midge cells mount an antiviral RNAi response against arboviruses, similar to other insect vectors.
This study provides the first evidence of an antiviral RNAi mechanism in Culicoides midges.
The findings highlight the conserved nature of RNAi-based antiviral immunity across insect vectors.