Induction of a Peptide with Activity against a Broad Spectrum of Pathogens in the Aedes aegypti Salivary Gland, following Infection with Dengue Virus

The ultimate stage of the transmission of Dengue Virus (DENV) to man is strongly dependent on crosstalk between the virus and the immune system of its vector Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti). Infection of the mosquito's salivary glands by DENV is the final step prior to viral transmission. Therefore, in the present study, we have determined the modulatory effects of DENV infection on the immune response in this organ by carrying out a functional genomic analysis of uninfected salivary glands and salivary glands of female Ae. aegypti mosquitoes infected with DENV. We have shown that DENV infection of salivary glands strongly up-regulates the expression of genes that encode proteins involved in the vector's innate immune response, including the immune deficiency (IMD) and Toll signalling pathways, and that it induces the expression of the gene encoding a putative anti-bacterial, cecropin-like, peptide (AAEL000598). Both the chemically synthesized non-cleaved, signal peptide-containing gene product of AAEL000598, and the cleaved, mature form, were found to exert, in addition to antibacterial activity, anti-DENV and anti-Chikungunya viral activity. However, in contrast to the mature form, the immature cecropin peptide was far more effective against Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and, furthermore, had strong anti-parasite activity as shown by its ability to kill Leishmania spp. Results from circular dichroism analysis showed that the immature form more readily adopts a helical conformation which would help it to cause membrane permeabilization, thus permitting its transfer across hydrophobic cell surfaces, which may explain the difference in the anti-pathogenic activity between the two forms. The present study underscores not only the importance of DENV-induced cecropin in the innate immune response of Ae. aegypti, but also emphasizes the broad-spectrum anti-pathogenic activity of the immature, signal peptide-containing form of this peptide

Transmission-Blocking Vaccines: Focus on Anti-Vector Vaccines against Tick-Borne Diseases

Tick-borne diseases are a potential threat that account for significant morbidity and mortality in human population worldwide. Vaccines are not available to treat several of the tick-borne diseases. With the emergence and resurgence of several tick-borne diseases, emphasis on the development of transmission-blocking vaccines remains increasing. In this review, we provide a snap shot on some of the potential candidates for the development of anti-vector vaccines (a form of transmission-blocking vaccines) against wide range of hard and soft ticks that include Ixodes, Haemaphysalis, Dermacentor, Amblyomma, Rhipicephalus and Ornithodoros species

Interaction between the dengue virus and its Aedes vector and development of a novel technique to isolate dengue and chikungunya viral particles

La dengue et le chikungunya sont deux arboviroses émergentes qui sont transmises à l'homme par la piqûre de moustiques du genre Aedes. Il n'existe ni vaccin ni traitements commercialisés pour ces arboviroses. Il apparaît donc nécessaire de développer de nouvelles stratégies pour isoler les virus circulants et bloquer leur transmission. La compréhension des mécanismes mis en jeu dans les cellules des vecteurs Aedes lors d'une infection par le virus de la dengue (DENV) sont encore très peu étudiés, notamment pour les sérotypes 1 et 3. Par des analyses protéomiques de l'infection d'une lignée cellulaire du moustique Aedes albopictus par ces séroytypes, nous avons démontré qu'en réponse à l'infection, les cellules de moustiques utilisent les mécanismes antioxydants combinés à la production d'énergie pour faire face au virus. Les résultats de notre étude devraient permettre de mieux comprendre l'interaction DENV-vecteur Aedes au niveau cellulaire dans le but de concevoir des stratégies efficaces pour le contrôle du DENV. Nous avons également regroupé dans une revue les connaissances acquises sur les études protéomiques des principaux compartiments des arthropodes vecteurs de maladies humaines. Dans un second volet, nous avons mis en évidence une méthode rapide d'isolement et de concentration des DENV et du chikungunya. Cette technique d'isolement basée sur la capture de virus sur des billes magnétiques enrobées de polymères anioniques permet d'obtenir des particules virales infectieuses. Cette méthode combinée à des approches classiques de détection de virus pourrait non seulement permettre l'identification des échantillons infectés ayant une faible charge virale, mais aussi l'isolement simultanée de particules infectieuses de dengue et de chikungunya à partir d'un seul échantillon.Dengue (DENV) and Chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses are two emerging arboviruses that are transmitted to humans by the bite of Aedes sp. mosquito vectors. Neither vaccines, nor medical treatments, are commercially available for these infections. It is, therefore, necessary to elaborate novel strategies to isolate the circulating viruses and block their transmission.Our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved, during the infection of the Aedes vector by dengue virus (DENV), especially serotypes 1 and 3, remains very scant. We, therefore, performed a proteomics analysis of an Aedes albopictus cell line, infected by these two DENV serotypes, and showed that the cells use both anti-oxidant and energy-production mechanisms in the fight against the virus. These results should help to improve our knowledge of the interaction of the DENV virus and the Aedes mosquito vector, at the cellular level, with the aim of designing efficient strategies for the control of this virus. We have, in addition, developed a rapid and sensitive isolation technique, based on viral particle adsorption to magnetic beads coated with an anionic polymer. The use of this technique is of great interest, as it permits the rapid and simultaneous detection and isolation of CHIKV and DENV from samples with reduced viral loads

Aedes aegypti Saliva Enhances Dengue Virus Infection of Human Keratinocytes by Suppressing Innate Immune Responses

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Proteomic analysis of an Aedes albopictus cell line infected with Dengue serotypes 1 and 3 viruses

Background: Proteomic analysis was performed to identify proteins regulated during infection by Dengue serotypes 1 and 3 in an Aedes albopictus cell line. The potential of these viruses to cause severe disease at primary infection is of interest although few studies have been performed with these two Dengue serotypes. Results: The most relevant observation of our study is the significant overexpression of proteins involved in the cellular stress response and the glycolysis pathway after 48 hours of infection. Viral infection activates the translation of some host genes, which may result in stress due to responses involving unfolded proteins. Conclusions: Therefore, the oxidation reduction and glycolytic mechanisms could participate in the antiviral response against Dengue virus. The results of our study should help to improve our knowledge of the virus-mosquito interaction at a cellular level with the aim of designing efficient strategies for the control of Dengue virus

Proteomic analysis of an <it>Aedes albopictus </it>cell line infected with Dengue serotypes 1 and 3 viruses

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Proteomic analysis was performed to identify proteins regulated during infection by Dengue serotypes 1 and 3 in an <it>Aedes albopictus </it>cell line. The potential of these viruses to cause severe disease at primary infection is of interest although few studies have been performed with these two Dengue serotypes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The most relevant observation of our study is the significant overexpression of proteins involved in the cellular stress response and the glycolysis pathway after 48 hours of infection. Viral infection activates the <it>translation </it>of some <it>host </it>genes, which may result in stress due to responses involving unfolded proteins.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Therefore, the oxidation reduction and glycolytic mechanisms could participate in the antiviral response against Dengue virus. The results of our study should help to improve our knowledge of the virus-mosquito interaction at a cellular level with the aim of designing efficient strategies for the control of Dengue virus.</p