Differential expression of midgut proteins in Trypanosoma brucei gambiense-stimulated vs. non-stimulated Glossina palpalis gambiensis flies

Abstract

The unicellular pathogenic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei gambiense is responsible for the chronic form of sleeping sickness. This vector-borne disease is transmitted to humans by the tsetse fly of the group Glossina palpalis, including the subspecies G. p. gambiensis, in which the parasite completes its developmental cycle. Sleeping sickness control strategies can therefore target either the human host or the fly vector. Indeed, suppression of one step in the parasite developmental cycle could abolish parasite transmission to humans, with consequences on the spreading of the disease. In order to develop this type of approach, we have identified, at the proteome level, events resulting from the tripartite interaction between the tsetse fly G. p. gambiensis, its microbiome, and the trypanosome. Proteomes were analyzed from four biological replicates of midguts from flies sampled 3 days post-feeding on either a trypanosome-infected (stimulated flies) or a non-infected (non-stimulated flies) bloodmeal. Over 500 proteins were identified in the midguts of flies from both feeding groups, 13 of which were shown to be differentially expressed in trypanosome-stimulated vs. non-stimulated flies. Functional annotation revealed that several of these proteins have important functions that could be involved in modulating the fly infection process by trypanosomes (and thus fly vector competence), including anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic, cellular detoxifying, trypanosome agglutination, and immune stimulating or depressive effects. The results show a strong potential for diminishing or even disrupting fly vector competence, and their application holds great promise for improving the control of sleeping sickness.

Tsetse fly tolerance to T. brucei infection: transcriptome analysis of trypanosome-associated changes in the tsetse fly salivary gland

“…In insects, besides a central role in the metabolism of xenobiotic compounds like insecticides, GTSs are also involved in various biological processes including protection against oxidative stress [70], bacterial infection immune response [71, 72], and preservation of redox status in relation with vectorial capacity [73]. In the case of the trypanosome-tsetse fly interaction, GSTs role in the midgut was suggested to be protective in response to the heme in the blood meal [74]. …”

Prevalence of Trypanosoma and Sodalis in wild populations of tsetse flies and their impact on sterile insect technique programmes for tsetse eradication

“…The prevalence results indicate that Sodalis and Trypanosoma infections are not independent in some species, such as G. p. gambiensis and G. medicorum in west Africa and G. pallidipes in central and east Africa, In case of a positive correlation between Sodalis and Trypanosoma infection in these species, additional measures could be suggested when implementing the SIT to reduce the Sodalis density in the sterile males released in the targeted area to maximize the safe implementation of the SIT. These measures might include the mixing of Sodalis phage(s) 29 , 65 with the blood meals to feed the mass-reared flies to reduce the Sodalis density in these flies. In addition, the blood meal offered to the males before release can be supplemented with one or more of the following antimicrobial products to reduce Sodalis density, i.e.…”

Uncovering Genomic Regions Associated withTrypanosomaInfections in Wild Populations of the Tsetse FlyGlossina fuscipes

“…Tsetse flies of the genus Glossina are major vectors of human and nonhuman animal diseases caused by infection with African trypanosomes. Laboratory studies have identified genetic factors for resistance to trypanosomes in Gmm ( Hamidou Soumana et al 2017 ; Geiger et al 2015 ), but no information is available on HAT vector species such as Gff ( e.g. , host–parasite strain combinations) and in general for any species from natural populations.…”