Mammalian Transforming Growth Factor β1 Activated after Ingestion byAnopheles stephensiModulates Mosquito Immunity

Abstract
During the process of bloodfeeding byAnopheles stephensi, mammalian latent transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) is ingested and activated rapidly in the mosquito midgut. Activation may involve heme and nitric oxide (NO), agents released in the midgut during blood digestion and catalysis ofl-arginine oxidation byA. stephensiNO synthase (AsNOS). Active TGF-β1 persists in the mosquito midgut to extended times postingestion and is recognized by mosquito cells as a cytokine. In a manner analogous to the regulation of vertebrate inducible NO synthase and malaria parasite (Plasmodium) infection in mammals by TGF-β1, TGF-β1 regulatesAsNOSexpression andPlasmodiumdevelopment inA. stephensi. Together, these observations indicate that, through conserved immunological cross talk, mammalian and mosquito immune systems interface with each other to influence the cycle ofPlasmodiumdevelopment.

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