Article
Lutzomyia longipalpis Antimicrobial Peptides: Differential Expression during Development and Potential Involvement in Vector Interaction with Microbiota and Leishmania
Registro en:
TELLERIA, Erich Loza et al. Lutzomyia longipalpis Antimicrobial Peptides: Differential Expression during Development and Potential Involvement in Vector Interaction with Microbiota and Leishmania. Microorganims, v. 9, 1271, 15 p, June 2021.
2076-2607
10.3390/microorganisms9061271
Autor
Telleria, Erich Loza
Nunes, Bruno Tinoco
Leštinová, Tereza
Avellar, Lívia Monteiro de
Tempone, Antonio Jorge
Pitaluga, André Nóbrega
Volf, Peter
Traub-Csekö, Yara Maria
Resumen
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are produced to control bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and
other infectious agents. Sand fly larvae develop and feed on a microbe-rich substrate, and the
hematophagous females are exposed to additional pathogens. We focused on understanding the
role of the AMPs attacin (Att), cecropin (Cec), and four defensins (Def1, Def2, Def3, and Def4)
in Lutzomyia longipalpis, the main vector of visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas. Larvae and
adults were collected under different feeding regimens, in addition to females artificially infected by
Leishmania infantum. AMPs’ gene expression was assessed by qPCR, and gene function of Att and Def2
was investigated by gene silencing. The gene knockdown effect on bacteria and parasite abundance
was evaluated by qPCR, and parasite development was verified by light microscopy. We demonstrate
that L. longipalpis larvae and adults trigger AMPs expression during feeding, which corresponds to
an abundant presence of bacteria. Att and Def2 expression were significantly increased in Leishmania infected females, while Att suppression favored bacteria growth. In conclusion, L. longipalpis AMPs’
expression is tuned in response to bacteria and parasites but does not seem to interfere with the
Leishmania cycle.