Differential suppression of persistent insect specific viruses in trans-infected wMel and wMelPop-CLA Aedes-derived mosquito lines

Virology. 2019 Jan 15:527:141-145. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2018.11.012. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Abstract

Wolbachia suppresses the replication of +ssRNA viruses such as dengue and Zika viruses in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. However, the range of viruses affected by this endosymbiont is yet to be explored. Recently, novel insect-specific viruses (ISVs) have been described from numerous mosquito species and mosquito-derived cell lines. Cell-fusing agent virus (Flaviviridae) and Phasi Charoen-like virus (Bunyaviridae) persistently infect the Ae. aegypti cell line Aag2 which has been used for experimental studies with both the wMel and wMelPop-CLA strains. Wolbachia was found to restrict the replication of CFAV but not the PCLV infection in these lines. Furthermore, an additional Ae. albopictus cell line (RML-12) which contained either wMel or wMelPop-CLA was assessed. While no infectious +ssRNA or dsRNA viruses were detected, a PCLV infection was identified. These observations provide additional evidence to support that insect-specific, +ssRNA viruses can be suppressed in cell culture by Wolbachia but -ssRNA viruses may not.

Keywords: Bunyavirus; Flavivirus; Insect specific viruses; Mosquito cell lines; Wolbachia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aedes / microbiology*
  • Aedes / virology*
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Coinfection
  • Flavivirus / physiology*
  • Microbial Interactions
  • Mosquito Vectors / microbiology
  • Mosquito Vectors / virology
  • Orthobunyavirus / physiology*
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • RNA, Viral / metabolism
  • Species Specificity
  • Virus Replication
  • Wolbachia / physiology*

Substances

  • RNA, Viral