Profiling Transcripts of Vector Competence between Two Different Aedes aegypti Populations in Florida.

Area of Science:

• Arbovirology
• Medical Entomology
• Genomics

Background:

• Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) outbreaks have impacted global health, including Florida in 2014.
• Environmental factors can influence the genetic makeup and arbovirus transmission competence of mosquito vectors.
• Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are primary vectors for CHIKV, and regional variations in their competence are suspected.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the vector competence of Florida Aedes aegypti populations for CHIKV.
• To investigate potential geographic influences on genes associated with CHIKV vector competence.
• To identify candidate genes involved in CHIKV transmission using a genomic approach.

Main Methods:

• Genomic analysis utilizing RNA sequencing.
• Comparison of CHIKV infection and dissemination rates between field-collected and laboratory mosquito populations.
• Differential gene expression analysis to identify candidate genes.

Main Results:

• Field populations of Aedes aegypti demonstrated higher competence for CHIKV infection and dissemination than a laboratory strain.
• Differentially expressed genes in CHIKV-infected field populations were linked to the Wnt/Notch signaling pathway.
• Candidate genes associated with vector competence were identified across different gene pools.

Conclusions:

• Florida Aedes aegypti populations exhibit significant vector competence for CHIKV.
• The Wnt/Notch signaling pathway appears to play a role in determining CHIKV vector competence.
• Genomic approaches can identify key genes influencing vector competence in geographically distinct mosquito populations.