Dr. Siew-Wai Fong (proper), Senior Scientist from Prof Lisa Ng’s lab at A*STAR IDL, with Prof Lisa Ng (left), Government Director of the institute. Their research was printed in Nature Communications. Credit score: A*STAR Infectious Illnesses Labs
Scientists from the A*STAR Infectious Illnesses Labs (A*STAR IDL) have uncovered a shocking mechanism displaying how mosquito saliva can alter the human physique’s immune response throughout chikungunya virus (CHIKV) an infection, contributing to Singapore’s broader efforts to strengthen infectious illness preparedness.
The analysis, printed in Nature Communications, reveals that sialokinin, a bioactive peptide in Aedes mosquito saliva, binds to neurokinin receptors on immune cells and suppresses monocyte activation, thereby lowering irritation and facilitating early viral dissemination. These findings provide new perception into how mosquito bites form illness outcomes.
How mosquito saliva impacts the physique’s defenses
CHIKV is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and causes painful joint swelling that may persist for months. As international temperatures rise, mosquito populations are increasing, heightening the chance of CHIKV and different mosquito-borne ailments in tropical areas reminiscent of Singapore.
The A*STAR group recognized sialokinin, a protein in mosquito saliva, as a key issue that shapes how the physique responds to an infection. The research discovered that sialokinin binds to neurokinin receptors within the immune system, quickly suppressing irritation within the early phases of an infection.
Per this, sufferers with extra extreme chikungunya signs had been discovered to have greater ranges of antibodies in opposition to sialokinin, indicating a stronger immune response to the peptide, which can contribute to illness severity.
Potential new strategy to treating mosquito-borne ailments
“This study provides compelling evidence that mosquito salivary proteins are not just passive carriers of viruses but active modulators of host immunity,” mentioned Dr. Siew-Wai Fong, corresponding writer and Senior Scientist at A*STAR IDL.
“Targeting sialokinin or its receptor interactions could represent a novel therapeutic strategy to mitigate inflammation and improve outcomes in CHIKV and potentially other arboviral infections.”
Whereas this analysis centered particularly on CHIKV, additional investigations might be wanted to grasp whether or not related immune mechanisms happen in different mosquito-borne infections reminiscent of dengue or Zika.
The findings underscore the significance of understanding vector-host interactions within the context of rising infectious ailments. As local weather change accelerates the unfold of mosquito-borne viruses, figuring out and neutralizing salivary elements like sialokinin might provide new avenues for illness management and prevention.
These insights not solely improve our preparedness for future outbreaks but in addition lay the groundwork for the event of focused therapeutics and therapy methods, finally strengthening public well being responses to mosquito-borne threats.
Prof Lisa Ng, Government Director of A*STAR IDL and senior writer, added, “Mosquito-borne ailments stay a priority in Singapore and the area. Understanding how mosquito saliva impacts the physique’s defenses offers us new views on stopping and treating an infection.
“This work additionally displays A*STAR’s dedication to advancing translational science by way of interdisciplinary approaches that strengthen Singapore’s readiness in opposition to rising infectious ailments.
“More broadly, it aligns with Singapore’s national efforts to build resilience against future outbreaks through sustained investment in science, innovation, and talent development in the biomedical sciences.”
Implications for future analysis
By bridging immunology, virology, and vector biology, the research opens new pathways to develop methods for managing mosquito-borne ailments, enhancing therapeutics, and strengthening international well being resilience in an period of climate-driven illness emergence.
Constructing on these discoveries, the A*STAR IDL group will proceed exploring how modulating the results of mosquito saliva proteins may assist handle irritation and an infection.
This work helps ongoing nationwide efforts to make use of science and innovation to strengthen Singapore’s preparedness in opposition to rising infectious ailments.
Extra data:
Siew-Wai Fong et al, Mosquito salivary sialokinin reduces monocyte activation and chikungunya virus-induced irritation through neurokinin receptors, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64468-x
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Company for Science, Expertise and Analysis (A*STAR), Singapore
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