Colorado State University

Research- Regulation of gene expression changes associated with arbovirus susceptibility in mosquitoes

Arboviruses require an intermediate vector, eg, mosquitoes (arthropods), in order to be transmitted to vertebrates and humans. Aedes aegypti is a major vector of flavivirus pathogens, e.g., dengue, Zika, chikungunya viruses and is also competent for transmission of Rift Valley Fever virus. Culex tarsalis transmits West Nile virus and other arboviruses in the US. Mosquitoes show wide variability in differential gene expression patterns in response to arboviruses.

When arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are delivered to vector mosquitoes in an infectious bloodmeal, viral components interact with host proteins to hijack cells and initiate replication. The extent to which arbovirus infection alters mosquito host transcriptional and genomic regulatory processes is currently unknown. Culex and Aedes species transmit important exotic zoonotic arboviruses, e.g. Rift Valley fever virus, of potential concern to U.S. animal and public health. The objective of our current project is to identify features of transcriptional regulation in mosquito genomes that contribute to vector competence. These regulatory regions will be further characterized for their ability to control arbovirus infection in other mosquito species or with other viruses.

I use my maiden name, CL Campbell, in publications.