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Maintaining Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Infected with Wolbachia
Published on: August 14, 2017
Intracellular Interactions Between Arboviruses and Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti
Jerica Isabel L Reyes1,2, Yasutsugu Suzuki1, Thaddeus Carvajal1,3
1Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan.
Abstract:
Aedes aegypti is inherently susceptible to arboviruses. The geographical expansion of this vector host species has led to the persistence of Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya human infections. These viruses take advantage of the mosquito's cell to create an environment conducive for their growth. Arboviral infection triggers transcriptomic and protein dysregulation in Ae. aegypti and in effect, host antiviral mechanisms are compromised. Currently, there are no existing vaccines able to protect human hosts from these infections and thus, vector control strategies such as Wolbachia mass release program is regarded as a viable option. Considerable evidence demonstrates how the presence of Wolbachia interferes with arboviruses by decreasing host cytoskeletal proteins and lipids essential for arboviral infection. Also, Wolbachia strengthens host immunity, cellular regeneration and causes the expression of microRNAs which could potentially be involved in virus inhibition. However, variation in the magnitude of Wolbachia's pathogen blocking effect that is not due to the endosymbiont's density has been recently reported. Furthermore, the cellular mechanisms involved in this phenotype differs depending on Wolbachia strain and host species. This prompts the need to explore the cellular interactions between Ae. aegypti-arboviruses-Wolbachia and how different Wolbachia strains overall affect the mosquito's cell. Understanding what happens at the cellular and molecular level will provide evidence on the sustainability of Wolbachia vector control.
Insights
Wolbachia bacteria can help control arboviruses like Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya by interfering with mosquito cells. However, the effectiveness varies by Wolbachia strain and mosquito species, requiring further study for sustainable vector control.
Area of Science:
- * Vector-borne diseases
- * Medical entomology
- * Microbial genetics
Background:
- * Aedes aegypti mosquitoes transmit arboviruses like Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya, causing significant human health issues.
- * Current vaccines are unavailable, making vector control essential.
- * Wolbachia, a bacterial endosymbiont, is a promising strategy for controlling arboviral transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate the cellular mechanisms underlying Wolbachia's pathogen-blocking effect in Aedes aegypti.
- * To understand how different Wolbachia strains influence arbovirus infection and mosquito cellular processes.
- * To assess the sustainability of Wolbachia-based vector control strategies.
Main Methods:
- * Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of Aedes aegypti infected with arboviruses and Wolbachia.
- * Comparative studies of different Wolbachia strains and their impact on mosquito cellular components.
- * Investigation of host-pathogen-endosymbiont interactions at the cellular and molecular level.
Main Results:
- * Wolbachia interferes with arboviruses by reducing essential host cytoskeletal proteins and lipids.
- * Wolbachia enhances mosquito immunity, promotes cellular regeneration, and induces microRNA expression potentially inhibiting viruses.
- * Variations in Wolbachia's pathogen-blocking efficacy exist, independent of bacterial density, and depend on strain and host species.
Conclusions:
- * Understanding cellular and molecular interactions is crucial for optimizing Wolbachia-based vector control.
- * Further research is needed to elucidate strain-specific mechanisms for effective and sustainable arbovirus management.
