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Viruses
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Virus-Vector Interactions
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Virus-Vector Interactions

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Insect Viruses".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 August 2022) | Viewed by 28944

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Joan L. Kenney

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Arboviral Disease Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA
Interests: arboviruses; virus-vector interactions; virus evolution; medical entomology; metagenomics; pathogen detection
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Yan-Jang Huang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
Interests: arboviruses; virus-vector interactions; vector biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

Emergence of arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) drives the increase of disease burden throughout the world. While the advancement of genome sequencing technologies enables the detection of medically important arboviruses and the discovery of novel vector-borne viruses in arthropod vectors, the interactions between arboviruses and their vectors is still not well understood. In infected arthropods, virus-vector interactions entail a multidimensional arms race, including the exploitation of cellular machineries to sustain replication, the evasion of innate immune responses, and ultimately the infection of salivary glands to support the transmission. The delineation of virus-vector interactions defines the roles of arthropod vectors in the emergence of different arboviruses and aids the identification of cellular factors involved in arbovirus infection.  This special issue seeks to publish studies on viral factors that facilitate the establishment of infection in arthropod vectors and, subsequently, transmission as well as physiological responses elicited by viral infections in hematophagous arthropods.

Dr. Joan L. Kenney
Dr. Yan-Jang Huang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. Viruses 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

  • arbovirus
  • arthropod vectors
  • virus-vector interactions
  • innate immune responses
  • RNA interference
  • vector competence
  • non-coding RNAs
  • viral determinants

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 3601 KiB  
Article
Investigation of the Association between the Energy Metabolism of the Insect Vector Laodelphax striatellus and Rice Stripe Virus (RSV)
by Lu Zhang, Xinyi Li, Yan Chen, Lin Kang, Jiao Zhang, Yao Li and Fang Liu
Viruses 2022, 14(10), 2298; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14102298 - 19 Oct 2022
Viewed by 1484
Abstract
Viruses, as intracellular parasites, rely on the host organism to complete their life cycle. Although over 70% of plant viruses are transmitted by insect vectors, the role of vector energy metabolism on the infection process of insect-borne plant viruses is unclear. In this [...] Read more.
Viruses, as intracellular parasites, rely on the host organism to complete their life cycle. Although over 70% of plant viruses are transmitted by insect vectors, the role of vector energy metabolism on the infection process of insect-borne plant viruses is unclear. In this study, full-length cDNAs of three energy metabolism-related genes (LsATPase, LsMIT13 and LsNADP-ME) were obtained from the small brown planthopper (SBPH, Laodelphax striatellus), which transmits the Rice stripe virus (RSV). Expression levels of LsATPase, LsMIT13 and LsNADP-ME increased by 105%, 1120% and 259%, respectively, due to RSV infection. The repression of LsATPase, LsMIT13 or LsNADP-ME by RNAi had no effect on RSV nucleocapsid protein (NP) transcripts or protein levels. The repression of LsATPase caused a significant increase in LsMIT13 and LsNADP-ME transcript levels by 230% and 217%, respectively, and the repression of LsMIT13 caused a significant increase in LsNADP-ME mRNA levels. These results suggested that the silencing of LsATPase induced compensatory upregulation of LsMIT13 and LsNADP-ME, and silencing LsMIT13 induced compensatory upregulation of LsNADP-ME. Further study indicated that the co-silencing of LsATPase, LsMIT13 and LsNADP-ME in viruliferous SBPHs increased ATP production and RSV loads by 182% and 117%, respectively, as compared with nonviruliferous SBPHs. These findings indicate that SBPH energy metabolism is involved in RSV infection and provide insight into the association between plant viruses and energy metabolism in the insect vector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Virus-Vector Interactions)
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11 pages, 1023 KiB  
Article
Brazilian Populations of Aedes aegypti Resistant to Pyriproxyfen Exhibit Lower Susceptibility to Infection with Zika Virus
by Kauara Brito Campos, Abdullah A. Alomar, Bradley H. Eastmond, Marcos Takashi Obara and Barry W. Alto
Viruses 2022, 14(10), 2198; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14102198 - 06 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1491
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has caused devastating consequences in Brazil as infections were associated with neurological complications in neonates. Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of ZIKV, and the evolution of insecticide resistance (IR) in this species can compromise control efforts. Although relative [...] Read more.
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has caused devastating consequences in Brazil as infections were associated with neurological complications in neonates. Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of ZIKV, and the evolution of insecticide resistance (IR) in this species can compromise control efforts. Although relative levels of phenotypic IR in mosquitoes can change considerably over time, its influence on vector competence for arboviruses is unclear. Pyriproxyfen (PPF)-resistant populations of Ae. aegypti were collected from five municipalities located in Northeast of Brazil, which demonstrated different resistance levels; low (Serrinha, Brumado), moderate (Juazeiro do Norte, Itabuna), and high (Quixadá). Experimental per os infection using ZIKV were performed with individuals from these populations and with an insecticide susceptible strain (Rockefeller) to determine their relative vector competence for ZIKV. Although all populations were competent to transmit ZIKV, mosquitoes derived from populations with moderate to high levels of IR exhibited similar or lower susceptibility to ZIKV infection than those from populations with low IR or the susceptible strain. These observations suggest an association between IR and arbovirus infection, which may be attributable to genetic hitchhiking. The use of PPF to control Brazilian Ae. aegypti may be associated with an indirect benefit of reduced susceptibility to infection, but no changes in disseminated infection and transmission of ZIKV among PPF-resistant phenotypes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Virus-Vector Interactions)
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17 pages, 2656 KiB  
Article
Quantitative and Qualitative Changes in the Deformed Wing Virus Population in Honey Bees Associated with the Introduction or Removal of Varroa destructor
by Luke Woodford, Craig R. Christie, Ewan M. Campbell, Giles E. Budge, Alan S. Bowman and David J. Evans
Viruses 2022, 14(8), 1597; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14081597 - 22 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2319
Abstract
Varroa destructor is an ectoparasitic mite associated with significant losses of honeybee colonies globally. The mite vectors a range of pathogenic viruses, the most important of which is the Deformed wing virus (DWV). In the absence of Varroa, DWV exists as a [...] Read more.
Varroa destructor is an ectoparasitic mite associated with significant losses of honeybee colonies globally. The mite vectors a range of pathogenic viruses, the most important of which is the Deformed wing virus (DWV). In the absence of Varroa, DWV exists as a low-level, highly diverse virus population. However, when transmitted by Varroa, certain variants become highly elevated, and may become near-clonal and cause symptomatic infections. Mite transmission between colonies can occur when parasitised workers drift from or rob adjacent hives. These activities can result in elevated mite levels, but the resulting change in the DWV population, the primary determinant of winter colony losses, has not been determined. In reciprocal studies, we investigated the influence of the removal of mites, or their acquisition, on the DWV population. When mites were removed from heavily infested colonies, there was a striking and rapid reduction in virus load. Conversely, siting Varroa-naïve colonies in a mite-infested apiary resulted in the acquisition of mites and concomitant changes in the virus population. We observed both near-clonal and highly divergent virus populations regardless of titre, suggesting changes were stochastic and colony-specific. Our findings have implications for the outcome of strategies in areas with total or patchy implementation of Varroa control plans. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Virus-Vector Interactions)
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16 pages, 1810 KiB  
Article
Infection with Borrelia burgdorferi Increases the Replication and Dissemination of Coinfecting Powassan Virus in Ixodes scapularis Ticks
by Charles E. Hart, Frank A. Middleton and Saravanan Thangamani
Viruses 2022, 14(7), 1584; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14071584 - 21 Jul 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2549
Abstract
Powassan virus (POWV) is a tick-borne neuroinvasive flavivirus endemic to North America. It is generally transmitted by the tick, Ixodes scapularis. This species also transmits Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. Infection with B. burgdorferi can result in arthritis, [...] Read more.
Powassan virus (POWV) is a tick-borne neuroinvasive flavivirus endemic to North America. It is generally transmitted by the tick, Ixodes scapularis. This species also transmits Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. Infection with B. burgdorferi can result in arthritis, carditis, and neuroborreliosis. These pathogens experience sylvatic overlap. To determine the risk of human exposure to coinfected ticks, the interactions between POWV and B. burgdorferi are assessed in laboratory-infected I. scapularis. Adult male and female I. scapularis ticks are orally inoculated with either both pathogens, POWV only, B. burgdorferi only, or uninfected media. After twenty-one days, the ticks are dissected, and RNA is extracted from their midguts and salivary glands. In infected midguts, the quantity of POWV in coinfected ticks was elevated compared to those with only POWV. In addition, the salivary glands of ticks with infected midguts had increased POWV dissemination to those with only POWV. RNA sequencing is performed to identify the potential mechanism for this pattern, which varies between the organs. Ixodes scapularis ticks are found to be capable of harboring both POWV and B. burgdorferi with a benefit to POWV replication and dissemination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Virus-Vector Interactions)
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16 pages, 2269 KiB  
Article
Reporter Flaviviruses as Tools to Demonstrate Homologous and Heterologous Superinfection Exclusion
by Francisco J. Torres, Rhys Parry, Leon E. Hugo, Andrii Slonchak, Natalee D. Newton, Laura J. Vet, Naphak Modhiran, Brody Pullinger, Xiaohui Wang, James Potter, Clay Winterford, Jody Hobson-Peters, Roy A. Hall and Alexander A. Khromykh
Viruses 2022, 14(7), 1501; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14071501 - 08 Jul 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2655
Abstract
Binjari virus (BinJV) is a lineage II or dual-host affiliated insect-specific flavivirus previously demonstrated as replication-deficient in vertebrate cells. Previous studies have shown that BinJV is tolerant to exchanging its structural proteins (prM-E) with pathogenic flaviviruses, making it a safe backbone for flavivirus [...] Read more.
Binjari virus (BinJV) is a lineage II or dual-host affiliated insect-specific flavivirus previously demonstrated as replication-deficient in vertebrate cells. Previous studies have shown that BinJV is tolerant to exchanging its structural proteins (prM-E) with pathogenic flaviviruses, making it a safe backbone for flavivirus vaccines. Here, we report generation by circular polymerase extension reaction of BinJV expressing zsGreen or mCherry fluorescent protein. Recovered BinJV reporter viruses grew to high titres (107−8 FFU/mL) in Aedes albopictus C6/36 cells assayed using immunoplaque assays (iPA). We also demonstrate that BinJV reporters could be semi-quantified live in vitro using a fluorescence microplate reader with an observed linear correlation between quantified fluorescence of BinJV reporter virus-infected C6/36 cells and iPA-quantitated virus titres. The utility of the BinJV reporter viruses was then examined in homologous and heterologous superinfection exclusion assays. We demonstrate that primary infection of C6/36 cells with BinJVzsGreen completely inhibits a secondary infection with homologous BinJVmCherry or heterologous ZIKVmCherry using fluorescence microscopy and virus quantitation by iPA. Finally, BinJVzsGreen infections were examined in vivo by microinjection of Aedes aegypti with BinJVzsGreen. At seven days post-infection, a strong fluorescence in the vicinity of salivary glands was detected in frozen sections. This is the first report on the construction of reporter viruses for lineage II insect-specific flaviviruses and establishes a tractable system for exploring flavivirus superinfection exclusion in vitro and in vivo. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Virus-Vector Interactions)
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13 pages, 1713 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Endemic and Epidemic Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Lineages in Culicoides sonorensis Midges
by Paula Rozo-Lopez, Steven J. Pauszek, Lauro Velazquez-Salinas, Luis L. Rodriguez, Yoonseong Park and Barbara S. Drolet
Viruses 2022, 14(6), 1221; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14061221 - 03 Jun 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2172
Abstract
Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) primarily infects livestock and is transmitted by direct contact and vectored by Culicoides midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Endemic to Central and South America, specific VSV lineages spread northward out of endemic regions of Mexico and into the U.S. sporadically every [...] Read more.
Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) primarily infects livestock and is transmitted by direct contact and vectored by Culicoides midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Endemic to Central and South America, specific VSV lineages spread northward out of endemic regions of Mexico and into the U.S. sporadically every five to ten years. In 2012, a monophyletic epidemic lineage 1.1 successfully spread northward into the U.S. In contrast, the closest endemic ancestor, lineage 1.2, remained circulating exclusively in endemic regions in Mexico. It is not clear what roles virus-animal interactions and/or virus-vector interactions play in the ability of specific viral lineages to escape endemic regions in Mexico and successfully cause outbreaks in the U.S., nor the genetic basis for such incursions. Whole-genome sequencing of epidemic VSV 1.1 and endemic VSV 1.2 revealed significant differences in just seven amino acids. Previous studies in swine showed that VSV 1.1 was more virulent than VSV 1.2. Here, we compared the efficiency of these two viral lineages to infect the vector Culicoides sonorensis (Wirth and Jones) and disseminate to salivary glands for subsequent transmission. Our results showed that midges orally infected with the epidemic VSV 1.1 lineage had significantly higher infection dissemination rates compared to those infected with the endemic VSV 1.2 lineage. Thus, in addition to affecting virus-animal interactions, as seen with higher virulence in pigs, small genetic changes may also affect virus-vector interactions, contributing to the ability of specific viral lineages to escape endemic regions via vector-borne transmission. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Virus-Vector Interactions)
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7 pages, 446 KiB  
Communication
Evaluation of Vector Competence of Ixodes Ticks for Kemerovo Virus
by Camille Victoire Migné, Hélène Braga de Seixas, Aurélie Heckmann, Clémence Galon, Fauziah Mohd Jaafar, Baptiste Monsion, Houssam Attoui and Sara Moutailler
Viruses 2022, 14(5), 1102; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14051102 - 20 May 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1875
Abstract
Tick-borne viruses are responsible for various symptoms in humans and animals, ranging from simple fever to neurological disorders or haemorrhagic fevers. The Kemerovo virus (KEMV) is a tick-borne orbivirus, and it has been suspected to be responsible for human encephalitis cases in Russia [...] Read more.
Tick-borne viruses are responsible for various symptoms in humans and animals, ranging from simple fever to neurological disorders or haemorrhagic fevers. The Kemerovo virus (KEMV) is a tick-borne orbivirus, and it has been suspected to be responsible for human encephalitis cases in Russia and central Europe. It has been isolated from Ixodes persulcatus and Ixodes ricinus ticks. In a previous study, we assessed the vector competence of I. ricinus larvae from Slovakia for KEMV, using an artificial feeding system. In the current study, we used the same system to infect different tick population/species, including I. ricinus larvae from France and nymphs from Slovakia, and I. persulcatus larvae from Russia. We successfully confirmed the first two criteria of vector competence, namely, virus acquisition and trans-stadial transmission, for both tick species that we tested. The estimated infection rates of engorged and moulted ticks suggest specificities between viral strains and tick species/developmental stages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Virus-Vector Interactions)
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11 pages, 1176 KiB  
Article
Temperature-Mediated Effects on Mayaro Virus Vector Competency of Florida Aedes aegypti Mosquito Vectors
by Abdullah A. Alomar and Barry W. Alto
Viruses 2022, 14(5), 880; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14050880 - 23 Apr 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2081
Abstract
Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an emerging mosquito-borne arbovirus and public health concern. We evaluated the influence of temperature on Aedes aegypti responses to MAYV oral infection and transmission at two constant temperatures (20 °C and 30 °C). Infection of mosquito tissues (bodies and [...] Read more.
Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an emerging mosquito-borne arbovirus and public health concern. We evaluated the influence of temperature on Aedes aegypti responses to MAYV oral infection and transmission at two constant temperatures (20 °C and 30 °C). Infection of mosquito tissues (bodies and legs) and salivary secretions with MAYV was determined at 3, 9, 15, 21, and 27 days post ingestion. At both temperatures, we observed a trend of increase in progression of MAYV infection and replication kinetics over time, followed by a decline during later periods. Peaks of MAYV infection, titer, and dissemination from the midgut were detected at 15 and 21 days post ingestion at 30 °C and 20 °C, respectively. Mosquitoes were able to transmit MAYV as early as day 3 at 30 °C, but MAYV was not detectable in salivary secretions until day 15 at 20 °C. Low rates of MAYV in salivary secretions collected from infected mosquitoes provided evidence supporting the notion that a substantial salivary gland barrier(s) in Florida Ae. aegypti can limit the risk of MAYV transmission. Our results provide insights into the effects of temperature and time on the progression of infection and replication of MAYV in Ae. aegypti vectors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Virus-Vector Interactions)
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15 pages, 2875 KiB  
Article
A Small-Plaque Isolate of the Zika Virus with Envelope Domain III Mutations Affect Viral Entry and Replication in Mammalian but Not Mosquito Cells
by Thitigun Jaimipuk, Saranya Sachdev, Sutee Yoksan and Chutima Thepparit
Viruses 2022, 14(3), 480; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14030480 - 26 Feb 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2576
Abstract
An Asian Zika virus (ZIKV) isolated from a Thai patient that was serially passaged in Primary Dog Kidney (PDK) cells for attenuation displayed both big and small plaque-forming viruses by the 7th passage. Two small-plaque isolates were selected and purified for characterization as [...] Read more.
An Asian Zika virus (ZIKV) isolated from a Thai patient that was serially passaged in Primary Dog Kidney (PDK) cells for attenuation displayed both big and small plaque-forming viruses by the 7th passage. Two small-plaque isolates were selected and purified for characterization as attenuated ZIKV candidates. In vitro growth kinetics showed significantly reduced titers for small-plaque isolates in Vero cells early post-infection compared to the parental ZIKV and a big-plaque isolate, but no significant difference was observed in C6/36 cells. Viral entry experiments elucidate that titer reduction likely occurred due to the diminished entry capabilities of a small-plaque isolate. Additionally, a small-plaque isolate displayed lowered neurovirulence in newborn mice compared to 100% lethality from infection with the parental ZIKV. Genomic analysis revealed the same three unique non-synonymous mutations for both small-plaque isolates: two on the envelope (E) protein at residues 310, alanine to glutamic acid (A310E), and 393, glutamic acid to lysine (E393K), and one on residue 355 of NS3, histidine to tyrosine (H355Y). Three-dimensional (3D) mapping suggests that the E protein mutations located on the receptor-binding and fusion domain III likely affect cell entry, tropism, and virulence. These ZIKV isolates and genotypic markers will be beneficial for vaccine development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Virus-Vector Interactions)
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13 pages, 1796 KiB  
Article
Multiple Salivary Proteins from Aedes aegypti Mosquito Bind to the Zika Virus Envelope Protein
by Paola Carolina Valenzuela-Leon, Gaurav Shrivastava, Ines Martin-Martin, Jenny C. Cardenas, Berlin Londono-Renteria and Eric Calvo
Viruses 2022, 14(2), 221; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14020221 - 24 Jan 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3986
Abstract
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are important vectors of several debilitating and deadly arthropod-borne (arbo) viruses, including Yellow Fever virus, Dengue virus, West Nile virus and Zika virus (ZIKV). Arbovirus transmission occurs when an infected mosquito probes the host’s skin in search of a blood [...] Read more.
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are important vectors of several debilitating and deadly arthropod-borne (arbo) viruses, including Yellow Fever virus, Dengue virus, West Nile virus and Zika virus (ZIKV). Arbovirus transmission occurs when an infected mosquito probes the host’s skin in search of a blood meal. Salivary proteins from mosquitoes help to acquire blood and have also been shown to enhance pathogen transmission in vivo and in vitro. Here, we evaluated the interaction of mosquito salivary proteins with ZIKV by surface plasmon resonance and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We found that three salivary proteins AAEL000793, AAEL007420, and AAEL006347 bind to the envelope protein of ZIKV with nanomolar affinities. Similar results were obtained using virus-like particles in binding assays. These interactions have no effect on viral replication in cultured endothelial cells and keratinocytes. Additionally, we found detectable antibody levels in ZIKV and DENV serum samples against the recombinant proteins that interact with ZIKV. These results highlight complex interactions between viruses, salivary proteins and antibodies that could be present during viral transmissions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Virus-Vector Interactions)
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Review

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16 pages, 816 KiB  
Review
The Role of Mosquito Hemocytes in Viral Infections
by Victor Cardoso-Jaime, Chinmay Vijay Tikhe, Shengzhang Dong and George Dimopoulos
Viruses 2022, 14(10), 2088; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14102088 - 20 Sep 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2765
Abstract
Insect hemocytes are the only immune cells that can mount a humoral and cellular immune response. Despite the critical involvement of hemocytes in immune responses against bacteria, fungi, and parasites in mosquitoes, our understanding of their antiviral potential is still limited. It has [...] Read more.
Insect hemocytes are the only immune cells that can mount a humoral and cellular immune response. Despite the critical involvement of hemocytes in immune responses against bacteria, fungi, and parasites in mosquitoes, our understanding of their antiviral potential is still limited. It has been shown that hemocytes express humoral factors such as TEP1, PPO, and certain antimicrobial peptides that are known to restrict viral infections. Insect hemocytes also harbor the major immune pathways, such as JAK/STAT, TOLL, IMD, and RNAi, which are critical for the control of viral infection. Recent research has indicated a role for hemocytes in the regulation of viral infection through RNA interference and autophagy; however, the specific mechanism by which this regulation occurs remains uncharacterized. Conversely, some studies have suggested that hemocytes act as agonists of arboviral infection because they lack basal lamina and circulate throughout the whole mosquito, likely facilitating viral dissemination to other tissues such as salivary glands. In addition, hemocytes produce arbovirus agonist factors such as lectins, which enhance viral infection. Here, we summarize our current understanding of hemocytes’ involvement in viral infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Virus-Vector Interactions)
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Other

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6 pages, 222 KiB  
Perspective
SARS-CoV-2 and Arthropods: A Review
by Stephen Higgs, Yan-Jang S. Huang, Susan M. Hettenbach and Dana L. Vanlandingham
Viruses 2022, 14(5), 985; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14050985 - 07 May 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1796
Abstract
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) that led to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic exemplifies how a lack of understanding and preparedness for emerging viruses can result in consequences on a global scale. Statements that SARS-CoV-2 could not be transmitted by [...] Read more.
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) that led to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic exemplifies how a lack of understanding and preparedness for emerging viruses can result in consequences on a global scale. Statements that SARS-CoV-2 could not be transmitted by arthropod vectors were made without experimental support. Here we review laboratory-based research, field studies, and environmental studies to evaluate the potential for the virus to be transmitted either biologically or mechanically by arthropods. Based on these data, we conclude that transmission by arthropods is highly unlikely to play a significant epidemiological role in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Virus-Vector Interactions)
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