Immune–reproductive cross talk in mosquitoes: molecular pathways and energy homeostasis

In the field of global health, mosquito-borne infectious diseases (such as malaria, dengue fever, and Zika) remain serious public health concerns. Recent research has emphasized that mosquitoes must coordinate their reproductive output and immune defenses under limited energy and nutritional conditions, forming a tightly regulated trade-off. This process involves complex signaling pathways and stage-specific molecular mechanisms. Key factors, such as juvenile hormone (JH), 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), autophagy pathways, immune-regulatory genes, and metal ions, can potentially influence this equilibrium state, thereby either promoting or inhibiting the occurrence and development of mosquito-borne infectious diseases. However, the exact mechanism underlying this regulation remains unclear. This review summarizes recent findings on how these components interact at the molecular and physiological levels, with the aim of developing a rational framework for identifying potential molecular targets and developing new strategies for vector control.