Study using sugars on the mechanism restricting vector competence in hematophagous arthropod midgut

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K23849
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0803:Pathology, infection/immunology, and related fields
• Research Institution: Jichi Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Mizushima Daiki 自治医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (50843455)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-08-30 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 吸血昆虫 / ハマダラカ / マラリア / サシチョウバエ / リーシュマニア / 中腸 / 糖類

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Malaria and leishmaniasis, which are caused by Plasmodium parasites and Leishmania parasites infection, are the vector transmission diseases. Although blood-sucking vectors has been defined in both causative agents, the factor deciding vector competence is unknown. The aim of this study is to define the factor deciding vector competence in both transmission models, changing midgut environment of their vectors using sugars which have a biological modulating function.
The varying of midgut microbial composition and the declining of Plasmodium parasite infectivity were clearly observed in the mosquitoes fed the sugar modulating midgut environment. These results suggested that the parasite infectivity may be regulated by midgut microbiota and/or the immune-related factors modulated by the sugar in mosquito.

Free Research Field

医動物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、吸血昆虫媒介感染症を媒介する吸血昆虫と病原体間における宿主特異性を決定する生物間相互作用に関わる因子を明らかにすることを目的した。本研究の成果は、吸血昆虫内における病原体媒介メカニズムについて理解を深めるだけでなく、吸血昆虫媒介感染症をコントロールするためのターゲットとなる因子を見出し、当該感染症の制圧に貢献するものと考えている。