Non-specific antiviral response detected in RNA-treated cultured cells of the sandfly, Lutzomyia longipalpis

• Published in: Developmental and comparative immunology Vol. 32; no. 3; pp. 191 - 197
• Main Authors: Pitaluga, A.N., Mason, P.W., Traub-Cseko, Y.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 2008
• Subjects: Aedes; Animals; Antiviral response; beta-Galactosidase - genetics; beta-Galactosidase - metabolism; Cells, Cultured; Gene Expression; Gene silencing; Innate immunity; LL5 cells; Luciferases - genetics; Luciferases - metabolism; Lutzomyia longipalpis; Psychodidae - cytology; Psychodidae - genetics; Psychodidae - virology; RNA, Double-Stranded - genetics; RNA, Small Interfering - genetics; siRNA; Transfection; Virus Replication - genetics; Virus-like particle; West Nile virus; West Nile virus - genetics; West Nile virus - growth & development; Gene silencing; Antiviral response; Virus-like particle; LL5 cells; West Nile virus; Innate immunity; siRNA; Lutzomyia longipalpis
• ISSN: 0145-305X; 1879-0089
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2007.06.008

Lutzomyia longipalpis is the principal vector of visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas, and can also transmit some viruses. To help develop a gene-silencing system for this sandfly, we transfected cultured embryonic cells with various double-stranded RNAs using West Nile virus (WNV) virus-like particles (VLPs) expressing luciferase as the target RNA to demonstrate effective gene knock-down. When luciferase dsRNA was introduced into these cells, they produced the expected reduction in VLP-encoded luciferase, suggesting specific silencing of the luciferase gene. Surprisingly, we found that unrelated dsRNAs, which included those specific for several L. longipalpis gene sequences and Escherichia coli β-galactosidase, diminished replication of the VLP-encoded genome. These results are the first indication for a nucleic acid-induced, non-specific antiviral response in this important insect vector.