# The role of hemocytes in mosquito arbovirus infection

> **NIH NIH R21** · IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $232,708

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Mosquito arbovirus transmission causes hundreds of millions of human infections every with significant disease
morbidity and mortality outcomes. However, despite the requirements of the mosquito host for virus replication
and transmission, our understanding of these mechanisms is poorly understood. This includes the role of
mosquito immune cells, or hemocytes, which may have both positive and negative influences on virus replication.
Building on our expertise in hemocyte biology and host-pathogen interactions, we now look to examine the role
of mosquito hemocytes on dengue (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. Using a chemical genetics approach,
we provide preliminary data demonstrating our ability to deplete phagocytic immune cell populations in Aedes
aegypti, which serve as the basis of our proposed experiments. Therefore, the studies in this proposal will
examine the contributions of phagocytic immune cells on DENV and ZIKV infections, and explore the
mechanisms by which these cells may mediate systemic RNAi responses in the mosquito host (Aim 1). In
addition, we will also explore potential roles of hemocytes as a secondary site of virus amplification that may
increase viral titers and aid dissemination to increase the likelihood of transmission (Aim 2). Together, we expect
that the results of this study will provide new information into the mechanisms of virus replication in the mosquito
host and define the integral role of hemocytes in mosquito vector competence to arbovirus infection.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10057485
- **Project number:** 1R21AI149118-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Ryan C. Smith
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $232,708
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10057485

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10057485, The role of hemocytes in mosquito arbovirus infection (1R21AI149118-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10057485. Licensed CC0.

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