RNA-Seq of Transgenic Anopheles gambiae expressing Wolbachia surface protein

The mosquito innate immune system is shaped by continuous exposure to different microorganisms, including the protozoan malaria parasite Plasmodium. Infection with the endosymbiont bacterium Wolbachia, has been shown to increase mosquito resistance against Zika and Dengue viruses, Wolbachia Surface Protein (WSP) isolated from the Dirofilaria Immitis, has been shown to activate innate immune responses via Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 in Anopheles gambiae and Aedes albopictus cell lines, where it is able to activate the mosquito immune system through the expression of antimicrobial peptides and immune effector genes. This study characterises the genes regulated by WSP expression via a comparative RNA-Seq analysis of transgenic An. gambiaeVg-WSP.