Thioester-Containing Protein TEP27 in Culex quinquefasciatus Promotes JEV Infection by Modulating Host Immune...

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Vector-borne diseases
• Molecular biology

Background:

• Thioester-containing proteins (TEPs) are crucial for arthropod immunity.
• TEP functions in Culex mosquitoes, particularly regarding viral infections, are poorly understood.
• Previous research focused on TEPs in Anopheles, Aedes, and Drosophila.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of TEPs in Culex quinquefasciatus immunity against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV).
• To identify specific TEPs that facilitate JEV infection in Culex mosquitoes.
• To explore CqTEP27 as a potential target for controlling JEV transmission.

Main Methods:

• Identification and characterization of TEP genes in Culex quinquefasciatus.
• Assessing the proviral effects of identified TEPs on JEV infection.
• Investigating the mechanism of CqTEP27's proviral activity, including its effect on antimicrobial peptides (AMPs).
• Evaluating the efficacy of anti-CqTEP27 antisera in reducing mosquito infection rates.

Main Results:

• Nine TEP genes were identified in Culex quinquefasciatus.
• Three TEP genes were found to significantly facilitate JEV infection.
• CqTEP27 demonstrated the strongest proviral effect, potentially by suppressing AMP production and increasing JEV replication.
• Administration of anti-CqTEP27 antisera via membrane blood feeding significantly reduced mosquito infection rates.

Conclusions:

• Culex TEPs, specifically CqTEP27, play a proviral role in JEV infection, contrasting with their known immune functions in other arthropods.
• CqTEP27 is a key susceptibility factor that can be targeted to control JEV.
• Vaccination targeting CqTEP27 presents a viable strategy to disrupt JEV transmission by preventing infection in mosquitoes feeding on immunized hosts.