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Viruses
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Virus-Vector Interactions 2023
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Virus-Vector Interactions 2023

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 7378

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
Dr. Bethany L. McGregor

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1515 College Ave., Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
Interests: vector biology; virus-vector interactions; biology and ecology of insect vectors of animal pathogens

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The emergence of arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) drives the increase in disease burden throughout the world. Although the advancement of genome sequencing technologies enables the detection of medically important arboviruses and the discovery of novel 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. The detailed knowledge of cellular factors involved in arbovirus infection can be translated to support the development of new disease control tools. 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
Dr. Bethany L. McGregor
Guest Editors

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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 (4 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 1037 KiB  
Article
Dishevelled Has Anti-Viral Activity in Rift Valley Fever Virus Infected Aedes aegypti
by Christian B. Smith, Natasha F. Hodges, Rebekah C. Kading and Corey L. Campbell
Viruses 2023, 15(11), 2140; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15112140 - 24 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1478
Abstract
Mosquitoes in the genera Aedes and Culex are vectors of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), which emerges in periodic epidemics in Africa and Saudi Arabia. Factors that influence the transmission dynamics of RVFV are not well characterized. To address this, we interrogated mosquito [...] Read more.
Mosquitoes in the genera Aedes and Culex are vectors of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), which emerges in periodic epidemics in Africa and Saudi Arabia. Factors that influence the transmission dynamics of RVFV are not well characterized. To address this, we interrogated mosquito host-signaling responses through analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in two mosquito species with marked differences in RVFV vector competence: Aedes aegypti (Aae, low competence) and Culex tarsalis (Cxt, high competence). Mosquito–host transcripts related to three different signaling pathways were investigated. Selected genes from the Wingless (Wg, WNT-beta-catenin) pathway, which is a conserved regulator of cell proliferation and differentiation, were assessed. One of these, dishevelled (DSH), differentially regulates progression/inhibition of the WNT and JNK (c-Jun N-terminal Kinase) pathways. A negative regulator of the JNK-signaling pathway, puckered, was also assessed. Lastly, Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) are important for innate immunity; in this context, we tested domeless levels. Here, individual Aae and Cxt were exposed to RVFV MP-12 via oral bloodmeals and held for 14 days. Robust decreases in DEGs in both Aae and Cxt were observed. In particular, Aae DSH expression, but not Cxt DSH, was correlated to the presence/absence of viral RNA at 14 days post-challenge (dpc). Moreover, there was an inverse relationship between the viral copy number and aaeDSH expression. DSH silencing resulted in increased viral copy numbers compared to controls at 3 dpc, consistent with a role for aaeDSH in antiviral immunity. Analysis of cis-regulatory regions for the genes of interest revealed clues to upstream regulation of these pathways. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Virus-Vector Interactions 2023)
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23 pages, 1245 KiB  
Article
Transcriptomic Responses Underlying the High Virulence of Black Queen Cell Virus and Sacbrood Virus following a Change in Their Mode of Transmission in Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)
by Yahya Al Naggar, Hassan Shafiey and Robert J. Paxton
Viruses 2023, 15(6), 1284; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15061284 - 30 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2031
Abstract
Background: Over the last two decades, honey bees (Apis mellifera) have suffered high rates of colony losses that have been attributed to a variety of factors, chief among which are viral pathogens, such as deformed wing virus (DWV), whose virulence has [...] Read more.
Background: Over the last two decades, honey bees (Apis mellifera) have suffered high rates of colony losses that have been attributed to a variety of factors, chief among which are viral pathogens, such as deformed wing virus (DWV), whose virulence has increased because of vector-based transmission by the invasive, ectoparasitic varroa mite (Varroa destructor). A shift in the experimental mode of transmission of the black queen cell virus (BQCV) and sacbrood virus (SBV) from fecal/food–oral (direct horizontal) to vector-mediated (indirect horizontal) transmission also results in high virulence and viral titers in pupal and adult honey bees. Agricultural pesticides represent another factor that acts independently or in interaction with pathogens, and they are also thought to cause colony loss. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the higher virulence following a vector-based mode of transmission provides deeper insight into honey bee colony losses, as does determining whether or not host–pathogen interactions are modulated by exposure to pesticides. Methods: Through an experimental design with controlled laboratory, we investigated the effects of the modes of transmission of BQCV and SBV (feeding vs. vector-mediated via injection) alone or in combination with chronic exposure to sublethal and field-realistic concentrations of flupyradifurone (FPF), a novel agricultural insecticide, on honey bee survival and transcription responses by using high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis. Results: Co-exposure to viruses via feeding (VF) or injection (VI) and FPF insecticide had no statistically significant interactive effect on their survival compared to, respectively, VF or VI treatments alone. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a distinct difference in the gene expression profiles of bees inoculated with viruses via injection (VI) and exposed to FPF insecticide (VI+FPF). The number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at log2 (fold-change) > 2.0 in VI bees (136 genes) or/and VI+FPF insecticide (282 genes) was very high compared to that of VF bees (8 genes) or the VF+FPF insecticide treatment (15 genes). Of these DEGs, the expression in VI and VI+FPF bees of some immune-related genes, such as those for antimicrobial peptides, Ago2, and Dicer, was induced. In short, several genes encoding odorant binding proteins, chemosensory proteins, odor receptors, honey bee venom peptides, and vitellogenin were downregulated in VI and VI+FPF bees. Conclusions: Given the importance of these suppressed genes in honey bees’ innate immunity, eicosanoid biosynthesis, and olfactory associative function, their inhibition because of the change in the mode of infection with BQCV and SBV to vector-mediated transmission (injection into haemocoel) could explain the high virulence observed in these viruses when they were experimentally injected into hosts. These changes may help explain why other viruses, such as DWV, represent such a threat to colony survival when transmitted by varroa mites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Virus-Vector Interactions 2023)
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13 pages, 2741 KiB  
Article
Transmission of Asian Zika Lineage by Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus Mosquitoes in Florida
by Rebecca A. Zimler and Barry W. Alto
Viruses 2023, 15(2), 425; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15020425 - 02 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1259
Abstract
The Asian lineage of Zika virus (ZIKV), a mosquito-borne pathogen originally from Africa, caused an epidemic into Brazil in 2015 and subsequently spread throughout the Americas. Local transmission in the U.S. is a public health concern, especially for Florida where the mosquito vectors [...] Read more.
The Asian lineage of Zika virus (ZIKV), a mosquito-borne pathogen originally from Africa, caused an epidemic into Brazil in 2015 and subsequently spread throughout the Americas. Local transmission in the U.S. is a public health concern, especially for Florida where the mosquito vectors Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus are widespread, abundant, and there is a high potential for virus introduction due to imported cases. Here we evaluate relative susceptibility to infection and transmission of Zika virus among geographic populations of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus in Florida. Both species have been implicated as ZIKV vectors elsewhere, but both virus and vector genotype are known to influence transmission capacities and, hence, the risk of outbreaks. We test the hypothesis that Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus show geographic differences in midgut and salivary gland barriers that limit ZIKV transmission, using local populations of the two vector species recently colonized from three regions of Florida to compare their susceptibility to ZIKV infection, disseminated infection, and transmission potential. Susceptibility to infection was higher in Ae. aegypti (range 76–92%) than Ae. albopictus (range 47–54%). Aedes aegypti exhibited 33–44% higher susceptibility to infection than Ae. albopictus, with Ae. aegypti from Okeechobee, FL having 17% higher susceptibility to infection than Ae. aegypti from Miami, FL. Similarly, disseminated infection was higher in Ae. aegypti (range 87–89%) than Ae. albopictus (range 31–39%), although did not vary by region. Enhanced infection and disseminated infection in Ae. aegypti were associated with higher viral loads in mosquito samples than in Ae. albopictus. Transmission rates did not vary by species or region (range 26–47%). The results support the hypothesis that Ae. aegypti, but not Ae. albopictus, exhibited regional differences in midgut infection barriers. Our observation of higher vector competence for Ae. aegypti than Ae. albopictus, together with this species greater propensity to feed on humans, lends support to the notion that Ae. aegypti is regarded as the primary vector for ZIKV and public health concern in continental U.S. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Virus-Vector Interactions 2023)
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19 pages, 2020 KiB  
Article
Aedes aegypti Strain Subjected to Long-Term Exposure to Bacillus thuringiensis svar. israelensis Larvicides Displays an Altered Transcriptional Response to Zika Virus Infection
by Karine S. Carvalho, Tatiana M. T. Rezende, Tatiany P. Romão, Antônio M. Rezende, Marcos Chiñas, Duschinka R. D. Guedes, Milena Paiva-Cavalcanti and Maria Helena N. L. Silva-Filha
Viruses 2023, 15(1), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15010072 - 27 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1990
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis svar. israelensis (Bti) larvicides are effective in controlling Aedes aegypti; however, the effects of long-term exposure need to be properly evaluated. We established an Ae. aegypti strain that has been treated with Bti for 30 generations (RecBti) and is still [...] Read more.
Bacillus thuringiensis svar. israelensis (Bti) larvicides are effective in controlling Aedes aegypti; however, the effects of long-term exposure need to be properly evaluated. We established an Ae. aegypti strain that has been treated with Bti for 30 generations (RecBti) and is still susceptible to Bti, but females exhibited increased susceptibility to Zika virus (ZIKV). This study compared the RecBti strain to a reference strain regarding: first, the relative transcription of selected immune genes in ZIKV-challenged females (F30) with increased susceptibility detected in a previous study; then, the whole transcriptomic profile using unchallenged females (F35). Among the genes compared by RT-qPCR in the ZIKV-infected and uninfected females from RecBti (F30) and the reference strain, hop, domeless, relish 1, defensin A, cecropin D, and gambicin showed a trend of repression in RecBti infected females. The transcriptome of RecBti (F35) unchallenged females, compared with a reference strain by RNA-seq, showed a similar profile and only 59 differentially expressed genes were found among 9202 genes analyzed. Our dataset showed that the long-term Bti exposure of the RecBti strain was associated with an alteration of the expression of genes potentially involved in the response to ZIKV infection in challenged females, which is an important feature found under this condition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Virus-Vector Interactions 2023)
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