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Protocol for Dengue Infections in Mosquitoes A. aegypti and Infection Phenotype Determination
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Low density lipopolyprotein inhibits flavivirus acquisition in Aedes aegypti

Z L Wagar1, M O Tree1, M C Mpoy1

  • 1Foundational Sciences, Central Michigan University, College of Medicine, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA.

Insect Molecular Biology
|July 19, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) inhibits dengue and Zika virus acquisition in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. This finding suggests

Area of Science:

  • * Vector-borne disease research
  • * Medical entomology
  • * Virology

Background:

  • * Aedes aegypti mosquitoes transmit critical human pathogens like dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV).
  • * Mosquitoes acquire these viruses from infected vertebrate bloodmeals, which contain factors influencing viral transmission.
  • * Reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels correlate with severe DENV infections, suggesting a potential role for LDL in flavivirus acquisition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To investigate the hypothesis that LDL is a modifiable factor influencing flavivirus acquisition in Aedes aegypti.
  • * To determine the cellular mechanisms of LDL uptake in mosquito cells and midgut epithelium.
  • * To evaluate the inhibitory effect of LDL on DENV and ZIKV infection in vitro and in vivo.

Main Methods:

  • * Investigated LDL endocytosis in Ae. aegypti cells using dynamin-dependent assays.
  • * Examined LDL accumulation in mosquito midgut epithelial cells during bloodmeal digestion.
  • * Assessed the impact of LDL and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) pretreatment on DENV and ZIKV infection rates in vitro and in vivo.

Main Results:

  • * LDL is endocytosed by Ae. aegypti cells in a dynamin-dependent manner.
  • * LDL accumulates in the midgut epithelium during bloodmeal digestion.
  • * LDL significantly inhibited DENV and ZIKV infection in vitro, and ZIKV infection in vivo, while HDL had no significant effect.

Conclusions:

  • * Human LDL, commonly known as 'bad cholesterol,' acts as an inhibitor of flavivirus acquisition in Aedes aegypti.
  • * This discovery highlights LDL as a modifiable factor with potential to disrupt vector-borne disease transmission.
  • * Understanding these cellular interactions may lead to novel strategies for controlling diseases like dengue and Zika.
Keywords:
aedes aegyptibloodcholesteroldengueentry

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