2023
Adiponectin in the mammalian host influences ticks’ acquisition of the Lyme disease pathogen Borrelia
Tang X, Cao Y, Booth C, Arora G, Cui Y, Matias J, Fikrig E. Adiponectin in the mammalian host influences ticks’ acquisition of the Lyme disease pathogen Borrelia. PLOS Biology 2023, 21: e3002331. PMID: 37862360, PMCID: PMC10619873, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002331.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAdipocyte-derived hormoneBite siteAdiponectin-deficient miceInfiltration of neutrophilsTick bite sitePro-inflammatory responseWild-type animalsIxodes scapularis ticksIL-1βVascular leakageHistamine releaseTick biteAdiponectinInfectious diseasesLyme disease agentBlood feeding arthropodsBorrelia burgdorferiScapularis ticksAnimal infectious diseasesBlood feedingB. burgdorferi survivalHuman bloodHormonePathogen acquisitionMammalian hostsBulk and single-nucleus RNA sequencing highlight immune pathways induced in individuals during an Ixodes scapularis tick bite
Tang X, Lynn G, Cui Y, Cerny J, Arora G, Tomayko M, Craft J, Fikrig E. Bulk and single-nucleus RNA sequencing highlight immune pathways induced in individuals during an Ixodes scapularis tick bite. Infection And Immunity 2023, 91: e00282-23. PMID: 37846980, PMCID: PMC10652856, DOI: 10.1128/iai.00282-23.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRNA sequencingSingle-nucleus RNA sequencingBulk RNA sequencingInterleukin-17 signalingPlatelet activation pathwaysLaboratory guinea pigsSnRNA-seqHippo signalingIndividual genesPeripheral bloodTick biteAdaptive immunityAnti-tick vaccinesGuidance pathwayImmune pathwaysNew biomarkersHost responseGuinea pigsHematophagous arthropodsHost defenseCell adhesionTick attachmentNovel insightsTick feedingPhysiological consequences
2022
Identification of the extracellular metallo-endopeptidases ADAM and ADAMTS in the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti
Herd C, Yu X, Cui Y, Franz A. Identification of the extracellular metallo-endopeptidases ADAM and ADAMTS in the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti. Insect Biochemistry And Molecular Biology 2022, 148: 103815. PMID: 35932972, PMCID: PMC11149919, DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103815.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMosquito Aedes aegyptiVertebrate hostsSecondary tissuesYellow fever mosquito Aedes aegyptiCustom-made antibodiesProtein domain structureBloodmeal ingestionExtra-cellular matrix remodelingAedes aegyptiOvarian tissueHuman ADAM10Human orthologExpression profilingTranscriptional activityFunctional specificityTransient silencingMidgut epitheliumIngestion/digestionDependent endopeptidasesFemale reproductionBasal laminaMidgutMidgut structureMosquito tissuesSame time pointsCellular diversity and gene expression profiles in the male and female brain of Aedes aegypti
Cui Y, Behura SK, Franz AWE. Cellular diversity and gene expression profiles in the male and female brain of Aedes aegypti. BMC Genomics 2022, 23: 119. PMID: 35144549, PMCID: PMC8832747, DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08327-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFemale brainMedulla neuronsCell clustersDimorphic behaviorsCell typesBrain cell typesSingle-nucleus RNA sequencingMonoaminergic neuronsProjection neuronsMosquito brainMale brainNeuronsKenyon cellsBrainYellow feverCell atlasCellular compositionGene expression profilesFemale mosquitoesGliaMosquito vectorsType compositionType proportionsRNA sequencingAdult males
2020
Analysis of blood-induced Anopheles gambiae midgut proteins and sexual stage Plasmodium falciparum interaction reveals mosquito genes important for malaria transmission
Cui Y, Niu G, Li VL, Wang X, Li J. Analysis of blood-induced Anopheles gambiae midgut proteins and sexual stage Plasmodium falciparum interaction reveals mosquito genes important for malaria transmission. Scientific Reports 2020, 10: 14316. PMID: 32868841, PMCID: PMC7459308, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71186-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMidgut proteinsCandidate genesStage parasitesGene expression profilesMosquito genesUnique genesMalaria transmissionInsect cellsMosquito proteinsSexual stage parasitesGene productsAsexual stage parasitesKnockdown assaysP. falciparum invasionProtein sequencesPlasmodium invasionAnopheles gambiaeSecretory proteinsExpression profilesMosquito midgutParasite invasionGenesCell lysatesMosquito susceptibilityProtein