Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are produced to control bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and other infectious agents. Sand fly larvae develop and feed on a microbe-rich substrate, and the hematophagous females are exposed to additional pathogens. We focused on understanding the role of the AMPs attacin (Att), cecropin (Cec), and four defensins (Def1, Def2, Def3, and Def4) in Lutzomyia longipalpis, the main vector of visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas. Larvae and adults were collected under different feeding regimens, in addition to females artificially infected by Leishmania infantum. AMPs' gene expression was assessed by qPCR, and gene function of Att and Def2 was investigated by gene silencing. The gene knockdown effect on bacteria and parasite abundance was evaluated by qPCR, and parasite development was verified by light microscopy. We demonstrate that L. longipalpis larvae and adults trigger AMPs expression during feeding, which corresponds to an abundant presence of bacteria. Att and Def2 expression were significantly increased in Leishmania-infected females, while Att suppression favored bacteria growth. In conclusion, L. longipalpis AMPs' expression is tuned in response to bacteria and parasites but does not seem to interfere with the Leishmania cycle.

Department of Parasitology Faculty of Science Charles University Viničná 7 12844 Prague Czech Republic

Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitas e Vetores Instituto Oswaldo Cruz Fiocruz Av Brasil 4365 Rio de Janeiro 21040 360 Brazil

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Azadirachtin disrupts ecdysone signaling and alters sand fly immunity

Evidence of a conserved mammalian immunosuppression mechanism in Lutzomyia longipalpis upon infection with Leishmania

RNAi-mediated gene silencing of Phlebotomus papatasi defensins favors Leishmania major infection

Genomic analysis of two phlebotomine sand fly vectors of Leishmania from the New and Old World

Phlebotomus papatasi Antimicrobial Peptides in Larvae and Females and a Gut-Specific Defensin Upregulated by Leishmania major Infection