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The role of small extracellular vesicles in spreading and inhibiting arthropod-borne diseases
Iman Owliaee1, Mehran Khaledian2, Ali Shojaeian3
1Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
Abstract:
Arthropod-borne diseases (ABDs) refer to a group of viral pathogens that affect a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including humans and non-human primates. In addition to being transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks, arthropods can also spread pathogens that cause severe human diseases. On the other hand, extracellular vesicles (EVs) can serve as cross-placental drug delivery vehicles (DDVs) to the fetus and even as antigen-presenting cells (APCs). To this end, the current review aimed to examine the role of small EVs (sEVs) in the transmission and inhibition of arthropod-borne viruses, also known as arboviruses. First, a deeper understanding of the mechanistic aspects of how these vesicles function during insect-pathogen interactions is required. Next, scalability and yield optimization must be addressed while introducing EV-based therapeutics on an industrial scale in order to implement them effectively. Finally,it is recommended to consider that sEV-mediated transfer plays a crucial role in the spread of ABDs. This is because it transfers pathogenic agents between cells within vectors, resulting in subsequent transmission to hosts. Consequently, sEVs provide potential targets for the development of novel therapies that inhibit pathogen replication or reduce arthropod vector populations. Future research in this area should emphasize how these vesicles function within host-vector systems, using advanced imaging techniques - such as high-resolution microscopy (HRM) - and cost-effective methods, in order to produce sufficient quantities for large-scale implementation.
Insights
Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) play a key role in spreading arthropod-borne diseases (ABDs) by transferring pathogens between cells. Targeting sEVs offers a promising strategy for developing new therapies against arboviruses.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Vector-borne Diseases
Background:
- Arthropod-borne diseases (ABDs) are caused by viral pathogens transmitted by vectors like mosquitoes and ticks.
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs), particularly small EVs (sEVs), have diverse biological functions, including intercellular communication and immune modulation.
- Understanding the role of sEVs in the context of arboviruses is crucial for developing novel control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the dual role of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) in the transmission and potential inhibition of arboviruses.
- To highlight the necessity of understanding sEV mechanisms in insect-pathogen interactions.
- To discuss the challenges and opportunities for developing sEV-based therapeutics against arthropod-borne viral diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on the function of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) in arthropod-borne viral infections.
- Analysis of current research on sEV-mediated pathogen transmission within vectors and to hosts.
- Exploration of potential therapeutic applications of sEVs for arbovirus control.
Main Results:
- Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are implicated in the intercellular spread of arboviruses within vector organisms.
- sEVs facilitate the transmission of arboviruses, contributing to the overall burden of arthropod-borne diseases.
- sEVs present potential targets for therapeutic interventions aimed at inhibiting arbovirus replication or vector competence.
Conclusions:
- Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are critical mediators in the transmission cycle of arboviruses.
- Targeting sEV-mediated pathways offers a promising avenue for novel therapeutic strategies against arthropod-borne diseases.
- Further research using advanced imaging and cost-effective production methods is needed to fully harness the potential of sEVs in combating arboviruses.
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