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Mosquito transcriptome changes and filarial worm susceptibility in Armigeres subalbatus

ABSTRACT: Armigeres subalbatus is a natural vector of the filarial worm Brugia pahangi, but it kills Brugia malayi microfilariae (mf) by melanotic encapsulation. Because B. malayi and B. pahangi are morphologically and biologically similar, this mosquito-parasite system serves as a valuable model for studying resistance mechanisms in mosquito vectors. Comparing Ar. subalbatus-B. pahangi susceptibility and Ar. subalbatus-B. malayi refractoriness could provide significant insight into recognition mechanisms required to mount an effective anti-filarial worm immune response in the mosquito, as well as provide considerable detail into the molecular components involved in vector competence. Accordingly, we initiated transcriptome profiling studies of Ar. subalbatus in relation to filarial worm infection to provide information on the molecular components involved in B. pahangi susceptibility for comparison with our earlier studies on B. malayi refractoriness (Aliota et al., 2007). In addition, these studies also provide information on the infection response of a natural vector, i.e., the overall transcriptional and physiological change that occurs in the mosquito as a result of parasite infection, for comparison with our previous studies that employed a highly susceptible laboratory model, Aedes aegypti (Erickson et al., 2009). The time course chosen facilitated an examination of key events in the development of the parasite, beginning with the very start of filarial worm infection and spanning to well after infective-stage parasites had completed development in the mosquito. Herein, we demonstrate that filarial worm susceptibility in Ar. subalbatus is a highly complex process during the first 24 hours of infection. It is a process that involves many factors of both known and unknown function which are most likely associated with filarial worm penetration through the midgut lumen, invasion into thoracic muscle cells, and maintenance of homeostasis in the hemolymph environment. The data show that there are distinct and separate transcriptional patterns associated with filarial worm susceptibility as compared to refractoriness, and that an infection response in Ar. subalbatus, a natural vector, can differ significantly from that observed in Ae. aegypti, a common laboratory model. Finally, the data presented herein provide us with a cadre of information to design wet lab experiments and select candidates for further study to more fully dissect the nature of the anti-filarial worm immune response in this mosquito-parasite system.

ORGANISM(S): Armigeres subalbatus

PROVIDER: GSE20205 | GEO | 2010/04/01

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA125717

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Filarial nematodes are arthropod-borne nematodes that cause a variety of economically important diseases such as onchocerciasis (river blindness), lymphatic filariasis, and heartworm disease. The most widespread filarial disease of humans is lymphatic filariasis, caused by worms in the genera Wuchereria and Brugia. Lymphatic filariasis is an economic and social burden in endemic countries and affects approximately 119 million people worldwide (Michael, 1997). In humans, the worms live in and block the lymph vessels, causing improper flow of lymph, and inflammation of the lymphatic system. The symptoms are fever, swollen limbs and genitals, generalized malaise, and can progress to a debilitating condition known as elephantiasis This research focuses on the transmission of these worms to the disseminating mosquito host, and it is based on the interesting observation that mf must be at least 7 days old to successfully infect the mosquito (de Hollanda, 1982). Newborn mf that have not â??maturedâ?? cannot successfully penetrate the midgut of the mosquito, and subsequently cannot develop to the L3 stage (Fuhrman, 1987). Previous work done by another group 20 years ago suggests that the molecular makeup of the worm surface changes during this maturation process (Furman, 1983 a and b). We used microarray analysis to characterize changes in gene expression that take place during the mf maturation process. Understanding the gene expression changes that occur as the mf mature will allow us to understand the nature of the philological transition that allows mf to move from the human to the mosquito host. With this information in hand, we can eventually identify parasite molecules that could be targeted to either stop parasite reproduction or prevent transmission of the mf to the mosquito. This would stop parasite transmission in endemic areas. This SuperSeries is composed of the following subset Series: GSE14939: Brugia pahangi mature vs immature microfilariae GSE14940: Brugia malayi mature vs immature microfilariae Refer to individual Series

Project description:Background: Mosquito midgut is an important target for the host parasite interaction studies as it plays a major role in parasite growth and maturation and vector susceptibility. Proteomic approaches coupled with bioinformatics analysis have been used to study expression of functional proteins/enzymes of An. culicifacies susceptible and refractory species midgut in order to understand the mechanism of refractoriness that may help in contributing to unravel the host pathogen interactions. Methodology/Principle findings: In the present study proteomics approaches namely in solution and in gel digestion strategies followed by LC/MS/MS analysis were used. Further bioinformatics analysis were carried out to find out the functional annotated proteins, biological process, molecular function and their sub-cellular location using Gene ontology, SMART analysis, CELLO etc. In solution and in gel approach coupled with LC-MS/MS identified a total of 91 proteins in susceptible species and 69 proteins in refractory species. Comparative analysis between susceptible and refractory species of An. culicifacies indicated that mainly proteins involved in proteolysis mechanism, catalytic activity, peptidases activity and immune related proteins were found to be dominating in refractory as compared to susceptible species. Conclusion/Significance: Based on the present data a significant increase in number of proteins in midgut of refractory An. culicifacies species B were found that may conclude that these proteins may be responsible for the inhibiting parasite growth and linked to the melanization of oocysts or parasite lysis mechanisms in natural populations of refractory mosquito. Hence the progress of our studies at protein level suggests that these identified annotated putative proteins/enzymes may help to explore natural vector-parasite systems and reveal valuable insights into the mechanism of refractoriness which in turn further useful for bringing of novel strategies for control of malaria.

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Mosquito transcriptome changes and filarial worm susceptibility in Armigeres subalbatus

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