Research progress toward the influence of mosquito salivary proteins on the transmission of mosquito-borne viruses

Mosquito-borne viruses (MBVs) are a large class of viruses transmitted mainly through mosquito bites, including dengue virus, Zika virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, and chikungunya virus, which pose a major threat to the health of people around the world. With global warming and extended human activities, the incidence of many MBVs has increased significantly. Mosquito saliva contains a variety of bioactive protein components. These not only enable blood feeding but also play a crucial role in regulating local infection at the bite site and the remote dissemination of MBVs as well as in remodeling the innate and adaptive immune responses of host vertebrates. Here, we review the physiological functions of mosquito salivary proteins (MSPs) in detail, the influence and the underlying mechanism of MSPs on the transmission of MBVs, and the current progress and issues that urgently need to be addressed in the research and development of MSP-based MBV transmission blocking vaccines.

Automated summary

Mosquito-borne viruses (MBVs) pose a significant threat to global public health, including dengue virus, Zika virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, and chikungunya virus. Mosquito saliva contains proteins that not only facilitate blood feeding but also play important roles in regulating local and systemic infection, as well as modulating the host immune responses. This review discusses the physiological functions of mosquito salivary proteins (MSPs), their impact on MBV transmission, and the current progress and challenges in developing MSP-based MBV transmission blocking vaccines.