Heterogeneity of midgut cells and their differential responses to blood meal ingestion by the mosquito, Aedes aegypti.

ABSTRACT: Mosquitoes are the most notorious hematophagous insects and due to their blood feeding behavior and genetic compatibility, numerous mosquito species are highly efficient vectors for certain human pathogenic parasites and viruses. The mosquito midgut is the principal organ of blood meal digestion and nutrient absorption. It is also the initial site of infection with blood meal acquired parasites and viruses. We conducted an analysis based on single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-Seq) to assess the cellular diversity of the midgut and how individual cells respond to blood meal ingestion to facilitate its digestion. Our study revealed the presence of 20 distinguishable cell-type clusters in the female midgut of Aedes aegypti. The identified cell types included intestinal stem cells (ISC), ente

SUBMITTER: Cui Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7739889 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature