The role of mosquito salivary factors in modulating virus transmission and the impact of Wolbachia.

Mosquitoes transmit a wide range of genetically distinct viruses; understanding and targeting transmission has proven to be an effective approach for developing novel control strategies. Transmission is a complex process encompassing a mix of virus-vector-host interactions, with mosquito saliva playing a crucial part by enhancing virus infection in the mammalian skin via vasodilation and an influx of immune cells. I previously demonstrated that sialokinin plays a pivotal role in this process. Introduced Wolbachia symbionts are abundant within the salivary glands in Ae. aegypti but their effect on mosquito saliva has not been examined. Preliminary transcriptomic data reveals that key genes including sialokinin are downregulated in Wolbachia wAlbB-carrying mosquitoes, which we predict will affect virus transmissibility. Using a mouse model, I show wAlbB associated reduction in viral enhancement caused by Aedes saliva. This study will further investigate the role of mosquito saliva on viral enhancement, the effects of Wolbachia strains on the salivary proteome and their subsequent effects on arbovirus transmission. Utilising a pre-established mouse model, mice will be injected with genetically unrelated viruses alongside mosquito saliva acquired from Wolbachia negative and positive Ae. aegypti mosquitoes, and their ability to enhance virus infection compared and key inflammatory skin responses studied.