In order to combat the rising cases of Dengue and Chikungunya cases, scientists are working on new ways to kill the mosquitoes that carry these viruses. A recent research, published in PLOS NTDs journal reveals that mosquito sliva can stop the transmission of dengue virus in human cells. Certain types of protein present in the Aedes aegypti’s saliva binds the dengue virus (DENV) and inhibit its transmission to human cells and mice, says a study. Antibodies against the saliva protein ‘D7’, which are present in humans when exposed to mosquito bites, might facilitate virus transmission and enhance disease severity.
Working on ways to reduce DENV transmission, lead researcher Michael Conway, explored how best to target the mosquito saliva protein to block transmission of DENV. This strategy has advantages compared with vaccines based on viral proteins because it does not need to take into account different circulating DENV strains or adapt to rapidly evolving viruses. The researchers had previously isolated proteins from salivary glands of Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that transmits the Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya viruses and tested batches of proteins to see if they could either enhance or block DENV transmission to human cells. In the study, they focused on proteins that could inhibit DENV. The researchers while analyzing batches of proteins with inhibitory function, found high levels of D7 proteins. Members of the D7 family are known to be present in mosquito saliva and thought to assist the blood feeding process.

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