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Inhibition of mouse parenchymal cells proliferation by mosquito larvae extract
J R Ronderos1, A O Spinelli, C A Angeletti
1Instituto de Biologia, Embriologia e Histologia, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina.
Abstract:
As it is known, some cell populations of mosquito Aedes aegypti larvae do not proliferate. This fact suggests the existence of some mitosis inhibiting factor. We have assayed the effect of mosquito larvae crude extract on 85 C3HS young male mice (25 +/- 1 days old) and the effect of the dialyzed fraction of the same extract on 47 partially hepatectomized C3HS adult male mice. The injection was performed at 16:00 hour (before the raising of the DNAS curve) and the controls were made at 08:00/16, 12:00/20 and 16:00/24 (Time of Day/Time Post Injection). Colchicine arrested metaphases of nephrocytes, hepatocytes, sialocytes (submaxillary glands) and enterocytes were controlled. The mitotic rate was significantly inhibited in hepatocytes, sialocytes and enterocytes in young growing mice, and in hepatocytes in partially hepatectomized adult mice. We conclude that TGF-beta, actually found in insects, or alternatively some other known or unknown factor, could be responsible for the results observed in the present experiments.
Insights
Mosquito larvae extracts inhibit cell proliferation in mice, suggesting a potential mitosis inhibiting factor. This finding points to insect-derived compounds influencing mammalian cell division.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Entomology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Mosquito Aedes aegypti larvae exhibit non-proliferating cell populations.
- This observation implies the presence of a mitosis inhibiting factor within the larvae.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of mosquito larvae crude extract on cell proliferation in mice.
- To determine if a dialyzed fraction of the extract also impacts cell division.
Main Methods:
- Assayed crude mosquito larvae extract on young male mice.
- Tested dialyzed extract fraction on partially hepatectomized adult male mice.
- Controlled for colchicine-arrested metaphases in various cell types (nephrocytes, hepatocytes, sialocytes, enterocytes) at specific time points.
Main Results:
- Significant inhibition of mitotic rate observed in hepatocytes, sialocytes, and enterocytes of young mice.
- Hepatocytes in partially hepatectomized adult mice also showed significantly inhibited mitotic rates.
- The study controlled for cell cycle timing relative to injection and control measurements.
Conclusions:
- A factor present in mosquito larvae extract significantly inhibits cell proliferation in mammalian models.
- Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), found in insects, or another unknown factor, may be responsible for the observed inhibition.