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Viral RNA is a target for Wolbachia-mediated pathogen blocking
Tamanash Bhattacharya1, Irene L G Newton1, Richard W Hardy1
1Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America.
Plos Pathogens
|June 20, 2020
Summary
Wolbachia bacteria block arbovirus transmission by targeting viral RNA for degradation and reducing virus infectivity. This dual action inhibits viral replication and prevents spread to new hosts.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Vector-borne Diseases
Background:
- Wolbachia pipientis endosymbionts are used to control arbovirus transmission.
- Previous research indicated early-stage inhibition of virus replication in arthropod cells.
- Mechanisms for Wolbachia's control over virus dissemination and transmission in mosquitoes remained unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate how Wolbachia inhibits arboviruses in mosquito cells post-blood meal.
- Determine if Wolbachia affects virus dissemination between mosquito tissues.
- Identify the common viral target for Wolbachia-mediated pathogen blocking.
Main Methods:
- Utilized various mosquito cell culture models.
- Analyzed viral RNA turnover and progeny virus production.
- Assessed the infectivity of progeny viruses on naive cells.
- Examined viruses from Togaviridae and Flaviviridae families.
Main Results:
- Wolbachia targets and rapidly degrades incoming viral RNA in mosquito cells.
- This early inhibition reduces progeny virus production.
- Wolbachia decreases the infectivity of progeny viruses, limiting dissemination and transmission.
- Pathogen blocking is independent of specific Wolbachia-host pairings and affects multiple RNA virus families.
Conclusions:
- Viral RNA is a key cellular target for Wolbachia-mediated inhibition.
- Wolbachia employs a two-pronged approach: intracellular viral RNA degradation and reduced extracellular virus infectivity.
- This mechanism links cellular virus inhibition to reduced dissemination and transmission, offering a common strategy against arboviruses.
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