The Vector Competence of Asian Longhorned Ticks in Langat Virus Transmission
<i>Haemaphysalis longicornis</i> (the longhorned tick), the predominant tick species in China, serves as a vector for a variety of pathogens, and is capable of transmitting the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), the causative agent of tick-borne encephalitis. However, it is unclear ho...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Viruses |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/16/2/304 |
| _version_ | 1797296822254829568 |
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| author | Yan Xu Jingwen Wang |
| author_facet | Yan Xu Jingwen Wang |
| author_sort | Yan Xu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Haemaphysalis longicornis</i> (the longhorned tick), the predominant tick species in China, serves as a vector for a variety of pathogens, and is capable of transmitting the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), the causative agent of tick-borne encephalitis. However, it is unclear how these ticks transmit TBEV. Langat virus (LGTV), which has a reduced pathogenicity in humans, has been used as a surrogate for TBEV. In this study, we aimed to investigate the vector competence of <i>H. longicornis</i> to transmit LGTV and demonstrate the efficient acquisition and transmission of LGTV between this tick species and mice. LGTV localization was detected in several tick tissues, such as the midgut, salivary glands, and synganglion, using quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical staining with a polyclonal antibody targeting the LGTV envelope protein. We demonstrated the horizontal transmission of LGTV to different developmental stages within the same generation but did not see evidence of vertical transmission. It was interesting to note that we observed mice acting as a bridge, facilitating the transmission of LGTV to neighboring naïve ticks during blood feeding. In conclusion, the virus–vector–host model employed in this study provides valuable insights into the replication and transmission of LGTV throughout its life cycle. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:10:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a1bc3f2db54c40ee85f5fed35c5e2af1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4915 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:10:23Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Viruses |
| spelling | doaj.art-a1bc3f2db54c40ee85f5fed35c5e2af12024-02-23T15:37:45ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152024-02-0116230410.3390/v16020304The Vector Competence of Asian Longhorned Ticks in Langat Virus TransmissionYan Xu0Jingwen Wang1Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, ChinaMinistry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China<i>Haemaphysalis longicornis</i> (the longhorned tick), the predominant tick species in China, serves as a vector for a variety of pathogens, and is capable of transmitting the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), the causative agent of tick-borne encephalitis. However, it is unclear how these ticks transmit TBEV. Langat virus (LGTV), which has a reduced pathogenicity in humans, has been used as a surrogate for TBEV. In this study, we aimed to investigate the vector competence of <i>H. longicornis</i> to transmit LGTV and demonstrate the efficient acquisition and transmission of LGTV between this tick species and mice. LGTV localization was detected in several tick tissues, such as the midgut, salivary glands, and synganglion, using quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical staining with a polyclonal antibody targeting the LGTV envelope protein. We demonstrated the horizontal transmission of LGTV to different developmental stages within the same generation but did not see evidence of vertical transmission. It was interesting to note that we observed mice acting as a bridge, facilitating the transmission of LGTV to neighboring naïve ticks during blood feeding. In conclusion, the virus–vector–host model employed in this study provides valuable insights into the replication and transmission of LGTV throughout its life cycle.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/16/2/304Langat virus<i>Haemaphysalis longicornis</i>transstadial transmissionhorizontal transmission |
| spellingShingle | Yan Xu Jingwen Wang The Vector Competence of Asian Longhorned Ticks in Langat Virus Transmission Viruses Langat virus <i>Haemaphysalis longicornis</i> transstadial transmission horizontal transmission |
| title | The Vector Competence of Asian Longhorned Ticks in Langat Virus Transmission |
| title_full | The Vector Competence of Asian Longhorned Ticks in Langat Virus Transmission |
| title_fullStr | The Vector Competence of Asian Longhorned Ticks in Langat Virus Transmission |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Vector Competence of Asian Longhorned Ticks in Langat Virus Transmission |
| title_short | The Vector Competence of Asian Longhorned Ticks in Langat Virus Transmission |
| title_sort | vector competence of asian longhorned ticks in langat virus transmission |
| topic | Langat virus <i>Haemaphysalis longicornis</i> transstadial transmission horizontal transmission |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/16/2/304 |
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