Microbiota-induced peritrophic matrix regulates midgut homeostasis and prevents systemic infection of malaria vector mosquitoes

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006391
• Publication Date: 2017-05-18T19:23:21Z
• Authors: Faye H. Rodgers; Mathilde Gendrin; Claudia A. S. Wyer; George K. Christo...
• Keywords: Intestinal epithelium; Homeostasis

Manipulation of the mosquito gut microbiota can lay foundations for novel methods disease transmission control. Mosquito blood feeding triggers a significant, transient increase microbiota, but little is known about mechanisms by which controls this bacterial growth whilst limiting inflammation epithelium. Here, we investigate epithelial response to changing load upon in malaria vector Anopheles coluzzii. We show that synthesis and integrity peritrophic matrix, physically separates epithelium from its luminal contents, dependent. reveal matrix limits persistence Enterobacteriaceae within gut, preventing seeding systemic infection. Our results demonstrate key regulator homeostasis establish functional analogies between mucus layers mammalian gastrointestinal tract.