1- Mechanism of virus-gut interaction

Overcoming the gut barrier is a major issue for orally transmitted viruses. Our research focus on the molecular mechanisms involved in gut recognition of the viral particles. The gut of insects is covered by an impermeable cuticle in its anterior and posterior parts (foregut and hindgut respectively) while the middle part (midgut) is covered by a semi-permeable acellular matrix made of chitin and proteins, the peritrophic matrix. The midgut is the portal of entry for most pathogens.

JcDV crosses the gut of the caterpillar by transcytosis, which consequently affects the gut permeability. Our research decipher the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in these complex interactions that determine virus invasion.