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Insects
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New Insights into Molecular Mechanism of Insect–Virus Interaction
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New Insights into Molecular Mechanism of Insect–Virus Interaction

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Insect Molecular Biology and Genomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 3071

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Hengchuan Xia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Interests: host-virus interaction; insect biology; insect virology; silkworm

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

(1) Introduction

Insect viruses pose significant threats across agricultural, ecological, and public health sectors. Some insect viruses can cause significant economic losses, such as Bee Paralysis Virus (BPV) for honeybees and Bombyx mori Nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) for silkworms. Some insect vectors can transmit plant viruses to cause crop diseases, such as brown planthoppers and the transmission of Rice Grassy Stunt Virus (RGSV). Some insect vectors can transmit animal viruses to pose major threats to animal and human health, such as mosquitoes for the transmission of Dengue Virus (DENV), Zika Virus (ZIKV), etc. Recent studies reveal novel mechanisms of virus exploitation of insect host factors to enhance their replication or evade immune defenses, as well as the diverse counteracting or tolerating measures of insects to viral infections. Exploration of mechanisms of insect–virus interaction will advance our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms and guide the rational development of antiviral drugs and viral insecticides, demonstrating scientific significance and practical value.

(2) Aim of the Special Issue

This Special Issue aims to showcase recent discoveries illuminating mechanisms of action involving insect–virus interactions, their integration into pest management programs, and suggestions for future research directions. By doing so, we aim to enhance the molecular understanding of virus–host-interaction dynamics and to promote practical applications based on knowledge-driven discoveries.

(3) Themes and article types

The major theme is insect–virus interaction. We are interested in manuscripts reporting discoveries related to mechanisms of infection and replication, as well as insect antiviral or proviral processes. Article types include, but are not limited to, reviews, research articles, and communications.

Dr. Hengchuan Xia
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • insect
  • virus
  • protein
  • gene
  • immunity
  • antiviral mechanism

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

13 pages, 3507 KB  
Review
Insect SVWC Proteins: A Diverse Cytokine-like Family Orchestrating Multilayered Antiviral and Antibacterial Immunity
by Yangyang Chen, Gaoying Xu, Jingao Wang, Cong Zhang, Aliyu Yusuf Abubakar and Hengchuan Xia
Insects 2026, 17(4), 438; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17040438 - 20 Apr 2026
Viewed by 214
Abstract
The single von Willebrand factor C (SVWC) domain-containing protein family represents a crucial class of immune molecules recently identified in insects and crustaceans. Initially regarded as functional analogs of vertebrate interferons (IFNs) due to their virus-induced expression and activation of the Janus kinase-signal [...] Read more.
The single von Willebrand factor C (SVWC) domain-containing protein family represents a crucial class of immune molecules recently identified in insects and crustaceans. Initially regarded as functional analogs of vertebrate interferons (IFNs) due to their virus-induced expression and activation of the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of the transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway, recent studies have revealed that SVWC proteins possess far more complex functions. Many SVWC members are themselves a novel class of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that can directly bind to viruses and bacteria. Importantly, SVWCs are not a single entity but a highly diverse family—multiple subtypes exist in Drosophila, Bombyx mori, and shrimp—a gene expansion that implies functional differentiation. This review systematically examines the multifunctionality of SVWC proteins in insects and crustaceans, with a particular focus on the functional specialization driven by subtype diversity. We delve into the complex regulatory networks governing SVWC expression, including the differential activation by nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathways (Dorsal, Rel-2, Relish) and interferon regulatory factor (IRF) pathways. We detail the unique signaling mechanism by which SVWCs activate the JAK-STAT pathway via integrins, rather than the canonical Domeless receptor. Furthermore, we extend the discussion to the emerging roles of SVWCs as PRRs in humoral immunity (activating Toll/IMD pathways to induce antimicrobial peptides) and cellular immunity (mediating hemocyte phagocytosis). Based on current evidence, We propose that diverse SVWC subtypes may recognize distinct pathogens, bind to different integrin receptors, and activate specific STAT variants via disparate upstream induction pathways, thereby establishing a systematic and hierarchical immunoregulatory network. This understanding positions the SVWC protein family as a central hub in the insect immune network and offers a novel perspective on the complexity and evolution of invertebrate immunity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Molecular Mechanism of Insect–Virus Interaction)
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27 pages, 1712 KB  
Review
Host Immunity Mechanisms Against Bacterial and Viral Infections in Bombyx mori
by Sadaf Ayaz, Wei-Wei Kong, Jie Wang, Shi-Huo Liu and Jia-Ping Xu
Insects 2025, 16(11), 1167; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16111167 - 15 Nov 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2238
Abstract
The domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori, is a highly valued biodiversity and economic asset, acclaimed for its silk production, besides making important contributions to various scientific disciplines. However, the sericulture industry faces ongoing threats from bacterial and viral infections, which severely impact silkworm [...] Read more.
The domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori, is a highly valued biodiversity and economic asset, acclaimed for its silk production, besides making important contributions to various scientific disciplines. However, the sericulture industry faces ongoing threats from bacterial and viral infections, which severely impact silkworm health and silk yield. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the innate immune response of B. mori against bacterial and viral pathogens, emphasizing the fundamental molecular and cellular defense mechanisms. We explore the humoral and cellular immune response using antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) like peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP), and glucan recognition protein (GRP), which activate canonical signaling pathways. The review further highlights the molecular mechanisms underlying the silkworm’s defense against viruses, incorporating RNA interference (RNAi), apoptosis, and distinct signaling pathways such as Toll and Imd, JAK/STAT, and STING. We also discussed the viral suppression strategies and modulation of host metabolism during infection. Furthermore, the review explores the recent use of CRISPR-Cas gene editing to enhance disease resistance, presenting a promising avenue for mitigating pathogen-induced losses in sericulture. By elucidating these mechanisms, the work provides a synthesis that is critical in terms of developing particular interventions and developing more resistant silkworm strains to ensure that the industry of sericulture becomes viable and productive. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Molecular Mechanism of Insect–Virus Interaction)
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