Molecular Profiling of Phagocytic Immune Cells in Anopheles gambiae Reveals Integral Roles for Hemocytes in Mosquito Innate Immunity

• DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m116.060723
• Publication Date: 2016-09-14T02:29:15Z
• Authors: Ryan C. Smith; Jonas G. King; Dingyin Tao; Oana A. Zeleznik; Clara Brando; Gerhard G. Thalli...; Rhoel R. Dinglasan
• Keywords: Proteome; Anopheles gambiae

The innate immune response is highly conserved across all eukaryotes and has been studied in great detail several model organisms. Hemocytes, the primary cell population mosquitoes, are important components of mosquito response, yet critical aspects their biology have remained uncharacterized. Using a novel method enrichment, we isolated phagocytic granulocytes quantified proteomes by mass spectrometry. data demonstrate that phagocytosis, blood-feeding, Plasmodium falciparum infection promote dramatic shifts proteomic profiles An. gambiae granulocyte populations. Of interest, large numbers proteins were induced to blood feeding alone, suggesting an integral role priming system for pathogen challenge. In addition, identify with putative roles as membrane receptors, signaling, or when silenced, either positive negative effects on malaria parasite survival. Integrating existing hemocyte transcriptional profiles, also compare differences transcript protein expression provide new insight into gene regulation discuss potential post-transcriptional may be component expression. These represent significant advancement biology, providing first comprehensive profiling during homeostasis Together, these findings extend current knowledge further illustrate importance hemocytes shaping immunity principal defining survival host.