title: Effects of specific antisera targeting peritrophic matrix-associated proteins in the sand fly vector Phlebotomus papatasi.
abstract: In many hematophagous insects, the peritrophic matrix (PM) is formed soon after a blood meal (PBM) to compartmentalize the food bolus. The PM is an important component of vector competence, functioning as a barrier to the development of many pathogens including parasites of the genus Leishmania transmitted by sand flies. PM morphology and permeability are associated with the proteins that are part of the PM scaffolding, including several peritrophins, and chitin fibers. Here, we assessed the effects of specific antisera targeting proteins thought to be an integral part of the PM scaffolding and its process of maturation and degradation. Phlebotomus papatasi sand flies were fed with red blood cells reconstituted with antisera targeting the chitinase PpChit1, and the peritrophin PpPer2. Sand fly midguts were dissected at different time points and processed for light microscopy (LM), confocal and transmission electron (TEM) microscopies (24, 42-46, 48 and 72h PBM), scanning electron (SEM) (48h PBM) and atomic force (AFM) (30h PBM) microscopies. TEM and WGA-FITC staining indicate PM degradation was significantly delayed following feeding of flies on anti-PpChit1. AFM analysis at 30h PBM point to an increase in roughness' amplitude of the PM of flies that fed on either anti-PpChit1 or anti-PpPer2. Collective, our data suggest that antibodies targeting PM-associated proteins affects the kinetics of PM maturation, delaying its degradation and disruption and are potential targets on transmission-blocking vaccines strategies.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa (DBG/UFV), Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais CEP 36570-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Malta
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa (DBG/UFV), Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais CEP 36570-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gustavo Ferreira
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Kansas State University (KSU), Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
authors.forename: Ju-Lin
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Weng
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa (DBG/UFV), Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais CEP 36570-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Kenner Morais
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal de Viçosa (DBG/UFV), Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais CEP 36570-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maximiliano Luis
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Munford
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Kansas State University (KSU), Manhattan, KS 66506, USA. Electronic address: mrortigao@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramalho-Ortigão
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002688:Chitinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D004064:Digestive System / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000378:metabolism*; D007300:Insect Control; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology; D007891:Leishmania / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000469:parasitology; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000469:parasitology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010691:Phlebotomus / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D007106:Immune Sera; D019476:Insect Proteins; D002688:Chitinases
keywords: Chitinase; PM-associated proteins; Peritrophic matrix; Peritrophins; Sand flies