Review
Fisheries
Chinmay V. Tikhe, George Dimopoulos
Summary: Mosquitoes are vectors of numerous viral pathogens, and controlling mosquito-borne viral diseases is challenging due to the lack of effective medical interventions. Understanding the interactions between the mosquito immune system and viruses is crucial for developing effective control strategies.
DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Entomology
Cynthia L. Goodman, David S. Kang, David Stanley
Summary: Cell lines are valuable tools for studying insect and tick immunity, allowing researchers to investigate how these organisms recognize and respond to infections, as well as develop strategies for future research. In particular, immortal arthropod cell lines provide a cost-effective and consistent platform for understanding and controlling important insects and ticks.
Article
Fisheries
Yuhao Jin, Xue Qiao, Xiaojing Lv, Weilin Wang, Sicong Wang, Yuqian Gao, Lingling Wang, Linsheng Song
Summary: Argonaute (Ago) is an essential component in the RNA-induced silencing complex and plays a vital role in antiviral immunity by cooperating with Dicer in RNA interference. In this study, a homologue of Ago (CgAgo2) was identified in the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. Functional domains were found in the CgAgo2 protein, and its expression was observed in different developmental stages and tissues of oysters. The interaction between CgAgo2 and CgDicer was also detected in vitro.
DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Sarah K. W. Au, Iliana V. Portelli, Stephanie J. DeWitte-Orr
Summary: This study provides evidence in fish that sequence specific long dsRNA induces potent gene expression silencing and antiviral responses in vitro via an RNAi-like mechanism instead of an IFN-dependent response.
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fanrui Kong, Abdul Qadeer, Yali Xie, Yiheng Jin, Qingyang Li, Yihua Xiao, Kan She, Xianrui Zheng, Jiashu Li, Shanming Ji, Yangyang Zhu
Summary: Aspirin, known for its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, has been found to improve age-related intestinal dysfunction and delay aging in fruit fly models. Additionally, it has been observed that aspirin can significantly inhibit the replication of certain types of viruses in fruit fly cells and increase resistance to viral infections in adult flies. The mechanism behind this antiviral effect involves the mediation of the STING signaling pathway. These findings shed light on a novel biological function of aspirin in modulating antiviral immunity in fruit flies and have potential implications for future antiviral treatments.
Article
Fisheries
Hye Jin Ko, Ho Am Jang, Ki Beom Park, Chang Eun Kim, Bharat Bhusan Patnaik, Yong Seok Lee, Yeon Soo Han, Yong Hun Jo
Summary: The TmIKK beta gene is highly expressed in the coleopteran beetle, Tenebrio molitor, and plays an important role in antimicrobial immune responses. Silencing of TmIKK beta gene increased the susceptibility of host larvae to E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans, and downregulated the expression of antimicrobial peptide genes. This suggests that TmIKK beta regulates antimicrobial innate immune responses in insects.
DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Entomology
Bryony C. Bonning, Maria-Carla Saleh
Summary: RNA interference (RNAi) is a crucial immune mechanism with pathogen specificity and memory, with the small interfering RNA (siRNA) pathway playing a key role in defense against RNA viruses in insects and various virus families evolving unique strategies to counter this host response.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY, VOL 66, 2021
(2021)
Article
Virology
Liying Jin, Mengna Chen, Meiqin Xiang, Zhongxin Guo
Summary: The article reviews the mechanism of RNAi-based antiviral innate immunity in plants and the counteractions of various viral suppressors of RNA silencing (VSRs). The authors also propose some critical challenges in the field and suggest that further elucidating conserved antiviral innate immunity may provide a broad spectrum of antiviral strategies in the future.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yao Fan, Xiang Li, Lei Zhang, Zhi Zong, Fangwei Wang, Jun Huang, Linghui Zeng, Chong Zhang, Haiyan Yan, Long Zhang, Fangfang Zhou
Summary: SUMOylation, a post-translational modification, plays a crucial role in regulating viral protein function and host antiviral immune response. The review summarizes the regulatory mechanisms of SUMOylation in viral replication and infection, and discusses its potential therapeutic applications in virus-induced diseases.
Article
Fisheries
Su-Ming Zhou, Jiao-Jiao Zhao, Yan Wang, Shan Jin, Qi-Cun Zhou, Fei Yin
Summary: In this study, a marine crab Pt-IMD was identified and found to be constitutively expressed in normal crab. Over-expression of Pt-IMD in Drosophila cells activated antimicrobial peptide genes. Knocking down of Pt-IMD in crab cells inhibited the expression of several antimicrobial peptides.
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Ping-Ping Sun, Dan Li, Meng Su, Qing Ren, Wen-Ping Guo, Jiang-Li Wang, Luan-Ying Du, Guang-Cheng Xie
Summary: This study investigated the effects of TLR1/2/4/6 monomers and TLR2 heterodimer on EV71 replication and innate immune activation. It was found that TLR monomers and TLR2 heterodimer inhibited EV71 replication and induced the production of IL-8. Additionally, the EV71 capsid proteins served as pathogen-associated molecular patterns for TLR monomers and TLR2 heterodimer, activating innate immunity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Yuqiang Zhang, Yan Xu, Yunpeng Dai, Zhe Li, Jiaxing Wang, Zhi Ye, Yanxin Ren, Hua Wang, Wan-xiang Li, Jinfeng Lu, Shou-Wei Ding, Yang Li
Summary: Recent studies have shown that antiviral RNA interference (RNAi) response in mammalian somatic cells is more efficient in producing vsiRNAs to restrict virus infection as compared to cellular microRNAs. The production of vsiRNAs during viral infection is processed efficiently by Dicer, leading to an antiviral RNAi response. Interestingly, Dicer processing of vsiRNAs is inhibited by LGP2, an interferon-stimulated gene known to modulate the effectiveness of RNA interference.
Article
Virology
Mine Altinli, Mayke Leggewie, Jonny Schulze, Rashwita Gyanwali, Marlis Badusche, Vattipally B. Sreenu, Janina Fuss, Esther Schnettler
Summary: Culex spp. mosquitoes are important vectors of viruses, but their interactions with innate antiviral immunity, especially RNA interference, are not well known. Our study found increased expression of Ago2 and Piwi6 in Culex quinquefasciatus compared to Aedes aegypti. Silencing RNA interference-related proteins showed different antiviral effects for different arboviruses in Culex quinquefasciatus. These results reveal differences in the function of RNA interference proteins between Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti and highlight the virus-specific function of these proteins in Culex quinquefasciatus.
Article
Virology
Thomas-Wolf Verdonckt, Anton Bilsen, Filip Van Nieuwerburgh, Loes De Troij, Dulce Santos, Jozef Vanden Broeck
Summary: Insect cell expression systems are used in the medical industry for vaccine development against diseases like COVID-19. The study focuses on the characterization of a specific virus called Bombyx mori latent virus (BmLV) and its pathogenicity. The results demonstrate that a variant of BmLV causes acute infections and strong cytopathic effects in cell lines and animal models. The study also examines the RNAi-based immune response in the cell line and animal models, shedding light on the genomic diversity of BmLV.
Review
Fisheries
Xue Qiao, Lingling Wang, Linsheng Song
Summary: The phylum Mollusca plays a significant role in the animal kingdom due to its large number and diverse species. Research on molluscan immunity has increased, especially in relation to their importance in aquaculture and aquatic environments. Studies on the interferon-like system in molluscs have revealed both similarities and differences compared to other animals, shedding light on the antiviral modulation and evolution of the interferon system in molluscs.
DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
El-Sayed H. Shaurub, Jorge R. Paredes-Montero, Judith K. Brown, Haggag S. Zein, Amr A. Mohamed
Summary: This study evaluated resistance levels of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci in Egyptian cotton to three organophosphate insecticides and detoxification enzymatic activities, providing important baseline data for future monitoring. Enzymatic activities varied among governorates, and phylogenetic analysis identified field-collected B. tabaci as the B mitotype.
Article
Biology
Jeremy Gauthier, Helene Boulain, Joke J. F. A. van Vugt, Lyam Baudry, Emma Persyn, Jean-Marc Aury, Benjamin Noel, Anthony Bretaudeau, Fabrice Legeai, Sven Warris, Mohamed A. Chebbi, Geraldine Dubreuil, Bernard Duvic, Natacha Kremer, Philippe Gayral, Karine Musset, Thibaut Josse, Diane Bigot, Christophe Bressac, Sebastien Moreau, Georges Periquet, Myriam Harry, Nicolas Montagne, Isabelle Boulogne, Mahnaz Sabeti-Azad, Martine Maibeche, Thomas Chertemps, Frederique Hilliou, David Siaussat, Joelle Amselem, Isabelle Luyten, Claire Capdevielle-Dulac, Karine Labadie, Bruna Lais Merlin, Valerie Barbe, Jetske G. de Boer, Martial Marbouty, Fernando Luis Consoli, Stephane Dupas, Aurelie Hua-Van, Gaelle Le Goff, Annie Bezier, Emmanuelle Jacquin-Joly, James B. Whitfield, Louise E. M. Vet, Hans M. Smid, Laure Kaiser, Romain Koszul, Elisabeth Huguet, Elisabeth A. Herniou, Jean-Michel Drezen
Summary: Endogenous viruses make up a significant portion of eukaryote genomes and provide new functions, although the evolution of large DNA viruses integrated into genomes that benefit their host remains unknown. A study on parasitoid wasps reveals that bracovirus genes have colonized all ten chromosomes, with these gene clusters being established over 53 million years ago and showing remarkable stability in genomic structures constrained by evolution. Transcriptional analysis shows temporal synchronization of viral gene expression without immune gene induction, suggesting a lack of conflict between ancient symbiotic partners.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Moataza Dorrah, Chaima Bensaoud, Amr A. Mohamed, Daniel Sojka, Taha T. M. Bassal, Michail Kotsyfakis
Summary: This study examines the hemolytic activity, lytic cycles, characteristics, and nature of hemolytic factors in the mosquito Culex pipiens and the fowl tick A. persicus. The findings provide new insights into the distinct digestive processes in both species, enhancing our understanding of the basic biology of arthropod vectors. The researchers conclude that midgut hemolysins in C. pipiens and A. persicus control blood lysis to ensure efficient blood digestion.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mostafa R. Sharaf, Amr A. Mohamed, Brendon E. Boudinot, James K. Wetterer, Francisco Hita Garcia, Hathal M. Al Dhafer, Abdulrahman S. Aldawood
Summary: This study presents a revised and updated synoptic list of 44 Arabian Monomorium species, introducing two new species and proposing several new synonyms. Distribution maps, illustrations, ecological and biological notes are provided, showing the majority of Arabian species are endemic to the peninsula. The Arabian Peninsula is considered a biogeographical crossroads between the Afrotropical and Palearctic regions, with one species of Indomalayan origin recorded for the first time.
Review
Cell Biology
Wei Zhang, Gianluca Tettamanti, Taha Bassal, Christa Heryanto, Ioannis Eleftherianos, Amr Mohamed
Summary: Insects have an innate immune system that can directly eliminate or neutralize pathogenic microorganisms, providing insights into the regulation mechanisms of the immune system. Studying the insect immune system has shed light on how to combat infectious diseases in humans.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Ioannis Eleftherianos, Christa Heryanto, Taha Bassal, Wei Zhang, Gianluca Tettamanti, Amr Mohamed
Summary: Insect host defence involves a combination of cellular and humoral responses, with cellular immunity mechanisms like phagocytosis and encapsulation being mediated by haemocytes. The distinction between cellular and humoral immune reactions is not clear-cut, with overlap between hemocyte and humoral functions in fighting foreign intruders and forming clots. Understanding the multilayered nature of insect cellular immunity is crucial for combating different pathogens and stages of infection.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
A. S. M. Kamruzzaman, Susumu Hiragaki, Yasuhiko Watari, Takashi Natsukawa, Akie Yasuhara, Naoyuki Ichihara, Amr A. Mohamed, Azza M. Elgendy, Makio Takeda
Summary: Melatonin plays a role in orchestrating daily and seasonal rhythms in organisms, impacting locomotor activity. The enzyme aaNAT is a key regulator of the circadian system in cockroaches, influencing the synchronization of locomotor rhythms. Additionally, the receptor mediating Melatonin function in cockroaches is likely similar to the mammalian MT2, with Melatonin and aaNAT constituting a circadian output pathway for locomotor activity.
JOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Azza M. Elgendy, Amr A. Mohamed, Bernard Duvic, Muhammad Tufail, Makio Takeda
Summary: Vitellogenins in insects are regulated by juvenile hormone and/or 20-hydroxyecdysone, with JH playing a key role in stimulating vitellogenesis. The promoter region of Periplaneta americana Vitellogenin 2 was characterized, revealing important transcription factor binding sites for hormone induction. Functional assays showed the crucial role of specific response element half-sites in the promoter for binding nuclear proteins and mediating hormonal regulation.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Jorge R. Paredes-Montero, Q. M. Imranul Haq, Amr A. Mohamed, Judith K. Brown
Summary: A study on the genetic architecture of the whitefly B. tabaci B mitoype revealed eight haplotypes, indicating a more complex structure than previously recognized. The distribution patterns of these eight B haplotypes were closely linked to specific eco-geographic regions, suggesting geographic isolation as a driving factor in their diversification. Out of the eight haplotypes, only two (NAFME 6 and 8) have established in geographical locations outside of their zone of endemism, challenging the notion that collectively, the B variant is invasive.
Review
Immunology
Ioannis Eleftherianos, Ghada Tafesh-Edwards, Amr Mohamed
Summary: Recent studies have shown that insect tissues and organs play a crucial role in the natural infection routes of parasites and microbial pathogens. This article summarizes the different types of parasites that infect insects through distinct routes and examines the relationship between infection routes and insect immune response. The findings suggest that understanding the association between infection routes and insect host defense can help in designing strategies for managing agricultural pests and disease vectors.
IMMUNOLOGY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
David Renault, Abdo Elfiky, Amr Mohamed
Summary: This study used in silico techniques to detect sequence polymorphisms in the ace1 gene of naturally occurring B. tabaci variants. The researchers identified several point mutations that could potentially influence insecticide resistance. Homology modeling and molecular docking analyses indicated that these mutations could alter the structure of the enzyme and potentially affect its sensitivity to insecticides.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Daniele Bruno, Aurora Montali, Marzia Gariboldi, Anna Katarzyna Wronska, Agata Kaczmarek, Amr Mohamed, Ling Tian, Morena Casartelli, Gianluca Tettamanti
Summary: This study provides the first detailed characterization of black soldier fly hemocytes and reveals new insights into the cell-mediated immune response of this insect. The study identifies five hemocyte types involved in the immune response in the larva and analyzes their behavior, role, and morphofunctional changes. The results demonstrate that circulating phagocytes in black soldier fly larvae are plasmatocytes, which participate in nodulation and encapsulation with granulocytes and lamellocyte-like cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chen Jia, Amr Mohamed, Alberto Maria Cattaneo, Xiaohua Huang, Nemat O. O. Keyhani, Maiqun Gu, Liansheng Zang, Wei Zhang
Summary: Spodoptera frugiperda is a worldwide generalist pest with remarkable adaptations to environments and stresses, including diverse feeding preferences, mate seeking, and pesticide resistance. This study identified and analyzed the expression patterns of odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs) in S. frugiperda across developmental stages and sexes. The results revealed correlations between gene expression patterns and phylogenic trees, and suggested the potential function of SfruOBP31 in food, mate seeking, and pesticide resistance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Norimitsu Izawa, Susumu Hiragaki, Amr A. Mohamed, Azza M. Elgendy, Takeshi Ohtani, Makio Takeda
Summary: Two AANAT genes in honey bees were found to be associated with the regulation of social behavior, with expression being controlled by circadian rhythms and linked to the transition in honey bee lifestyles.
Article
Entomology
Wei Zhang, Chen Jia, Lian-Sheng Zang, Maiqun Gu, Rui Zhang, Ioannis Eleftherianos, Amr A. Mohamed
Summary: There are complex interactions between insects and microbes, and the roles of disease-related microbial-derived metabolites in regulating host innate immunity and gut microbial community composition are still not well understood. This study found that the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae produces various metabolites during growth in locusts, which can modify the expression of host genes involved in innate immune processes. These metabolites also suppress the locust gut microbial composition. Overall, this study highlights the important functions of entomopathogenic fungal-derived metabolites in manipulating the insect host innate immunity and gut microbiota composition.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2023)
