Azadirachtin disrupts ecdysone signaling and alters sand fly immunity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Leishmaniasis is a group of neglected vector-borne diseases transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies. Leishmania parasites must overcome various defenses in the sand fly midgut, including the insects's immune response. Insect immunity is regulated by the ecdysone hormone, which binds to its nuclear receptor (EcR) and activates the transcription of genes involved in insect immunity. However, the role of ecdysone in sand fly immunity has never been studied. Phlebotomus perniciosus is a natural vector of Leishmania infantum; here, we manipulated its neuroendocrine system using azadirachtin (Aza), a natural compound known to affect ecdysone synthesis.

Methods

Phlebotomus perniciosus larvae and adult females were fed on food containing either Aza alone or Aza plus ecdyso

SUBMITTER: Vieira CS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11662615 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature