: Mosquitoes are currently the most important arthropod vectors, transmitting a broad range of diseases such as malaria, lymphatic filariasis and dengue fever. A method for curtailing disease transmission is through vector control programs. It has been shown that mosquitoes are able to mount powerful cellular and humoral responses against invading pathogens, and that this response is directly correlated to vector competence. To date, most studies addressing mosquito immunity have focused on the humoral response. However, it is clear that hemocytes (mosquito blood cells) play a central role in the production of many of the players involved in the humoral response. The current study will address the role hemocytes from two immunologically different mosquito species, Aedes egypti and Armigeres subalbatus, have in the immune response mounted against prokaryotic, protozoan and metazoan parasites. This research will focus on 1) classifying the hemocytes, 2) studying the phagocytic response of hemocytes towards pathogens, 3) determining which cells are responsible for the transcription of immune molecules, and 4) determining the structure/function relationship between invading pathogens, hemocytes and soluble immune molecules. In understanding the immune response mounted by different insect species and strains toward pathogens, it may be possible to manipulate existing vectors to make the parasite/vector biologic interplay incompatible.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
1F31AI050252-01
Application #
6400373
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BIOL-1 (01))
Program Officer
Hernandez, Milton J
Project Start
2001-09-01
Project End
Budget Start
2001-09-01
Budget End
2002-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$37,727
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Wisconsin Madison
Department
Veterinary Sciences
Type
Schools of Veterinary Medicine
DUNS #
161202122
City
Madison
State
WI
Country
United States
Zip Code
53715
Hillyer, Julian F; Schmidt, Shelley L; Fuchs, Jeremy F et al. (2005) Age-associated mortality in immune challenged mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) correlates with a decrease in haemocyte numbers. Cell Microbiol 7:39-51
Hillyer, Julian F; Christensen, Bruce M (2005) Mosquito phenoloxidase and defensin colocalize in melanization innate immune responses. J Histochem Cytochem 53:689-98
Wang, X; Rocheleau, T A; Fuchs, J F et al. (2004) A novel lectin with a fibrinogen-like domain and its potential involvement in the innate immune response of Armigeres subalbatus against bacteria. Insect Mol Biol 13:273-82
Hillyer, Julian F; Schmidt, Shelley L; Christensen, Bruce M (2004) The antibacterial innate immune response by the mosquito Aedes aegypti is mediated by hemocytes and independent of Gram type and pathogenicity. Microbes Infect 6:448-59
Hillyer, Jullan F; Schmidt, Shelley L; Christensen, Bruce M (2003) Rapid phagocytosis and melanization of bacteria and Plasmodium sporozoites by hemocytes of the mosquito Aedes aegypti. J Parasitol 89:62-9
Hillyer, Julian F; Schmidt, Shelley L; Christensen, Bruce M (2003) Hemocyte-mediated phagocytosis and melanization in the mosquito Armigeres subalbatus following immune challenge by bacteria. Cell Tissue Res 313:117-27