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Campbell JS, Pearce JC, Bebes A, Pradhan A, Yuecel R, Brown AJP, Wakefield JG. Characterising phagocytes and measuring phagocytosis from live Galleria mellonella larvae. Virulence 2024; 15:2313413. [PMID: 38357909 PMCID: PMC10877982 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2024.2313413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the last 20 years, the larva of the greater waxmoth, Galleria mellonella, has rapidly increased in popularity as an in vivo mammalian replacement model organism for the study of human pathogens. Experimental readouts of response to infection are most often limited to observing the melanization cascade and quantifying larval death and, whilst transcriptomic and proteomic approaches, and methods to determine microbial load are also used, a more comprehensive toolkit of profiling infection over time could transform the applicability of this model. As an invertebrate, Galleria harbour an innate immune system comprised of both humoral components and a repertoire of innate immune cells - termed haemocytes. Although information on subtypes of haemocytes exists, there are conflicting reports on their exact number and function. Flow cytometry has previously been used to assay Galleria haemocytes, but protocols include both centrifugation and fixation - physical methods which have the potential to affect haemocyte morphology prior to analysis. Here, we present a method for live haemocyte analysis by flow cytometry, revealing that Galleria haemocytes constitute only a single resolvable population, based on relative size or internal complexity. Using fluorescent zymosan particles, we extend our method to show that up to 80% of the Galleria haemocyte population display phagocytic capability. Finally, we demonstrate that the developed assay reliably replicates in vitro data, showing that cell wall β-1,3-glucan masking by Candida albicans subverts phagocytic responses. As such, our method provides a new tool with which to rapidly assess phagocytosis and understand live infection dynamics in Galleria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Attila Bebes
- Exeter Centre for Cytomics, Henry Wellcome Building for Biocatalysis, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Arnab Pradhan
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Raif Yuecel
- Exeter Centre for Cytomics, Henry Wellcome Building for Biocatalysis, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Alistair J P Brown
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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2
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Becchimanzi A, Nicoletti R, Di Lelio I, Russo E. Immune Gene Repertoire of Soft Scale Insects (Hemiptera: Coccidae). Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4922. [PMID: 38732132 PMCID: PMC11084805 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Insects possess an effective immune system, which has been extensively characterized in several model species, revealing a plethora of conserved genes involved in recognition, signaling, and responses to pathogens and parasites. However, some taxonomic groups, characterized by peculiar trophic niches, such as plant-sap feeders, which are often important pests of crops and forestry ecosystems, have been largely overlooked regarding their immune gene repertoire. Here we annotated the immune genes of soft scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccidae) for which omics data are publicly available. By using immune genes of aphids and Drosophila to query the genome of Ericerus pela, as well as the transcriptomes of Ceroplastes cirripediformis and Coccus sp., we highlight the lack of peptidoglycan recognition proteins, galectins, thaumatins, and antimicrobial peptides in Coccidae. This work contributes to expanding our knowledge about the evolutionary trajectories of immune genes and offers a list of promising candidates for developing new control strategies based on the suppression of pests' immunity through RNAi technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Becchimanzi
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.B.); (I.D.L.); (E.R.)
- BAT Center—Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Rosario Nicoletti
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.B.); (I.D.L.); (E.R.)
- Research Centre for Olive, Fruit and Citrus Crops, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Ilaria Di Lelio
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.B.); (I.D.L.); (E.R.)
- BAT Center—Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Elia Russo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.B.); (I.D.L.); (E.R.)
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3
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Shamjana U, Vasu DA, Hembrom PS, Nayak K, Grace T. The role of insect gut microbiota in host fitness, detoxification and nutrient supplementation. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2024; 117:71. [PMID: 38668783 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-024-01970-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Insects are incredibly diverse, ubiquitous and have successfully flourished out of the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of evolutionary processes. The resident microbiome has accompanied the physical and biological adaptations that enable their continued survival and proliferation in a wide array of environments. The host insect and microbiome's bidirectional relationship exhibits their capability to influence each other's physiology, behavior and characteristics. Insects are reported to rely directly on the microbial community to break down complex food, adapt to nutrient-deficit environments, protect themselves from natural adversaries and control the expression of social behavior. High-throughput metagenomic approaches have enhanced the potential for determining the abundance, composition, diversity and functional activities of microbial fauna associated with insect hosts, enabling in-depth investigation into insect-microbe interactions. We undertook a review of some of the major advances in the field of metagenomics, focusing on insect-microbe interaction, diversity and composition of resident microbiota, the functional capability of endosymbionts and discussions on different symbiotic relationships. The review aims to be a valuable resource on insect gut symbiotic microbiota by providing a comprehensive understanding of how insect gut symbionts systematically perform a range of functions, viz., insecticide degradation, nutritional support and immune fitness. A thorough understanding of manipulating specific gut symbionts may aid in developing advanced insect-associated research to attain health and design strategies for pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Shamjana
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, 671316, India
| | - Deepa Azhchath Vasu
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, 671316, India
| | - Preety Sweta Hembrom
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, 671316, India
| | - Karunakar Nayak
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, 671316, India
| | - Tony Grace
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, 671316, India.
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Alvarenga PH, Alves E Silva TL, Suzuki M, Nardone G, Cecilio P, Vega-Rodriguez J, Ribeiro JMC, Andersen JF. Comprehensive Proteomics Analysis of the Hemolymph Composition of Sugar-Fed Aedes aegypti Female and Male Mosquitoes. J Proteome Res 2024; 23:1471-1487. [PMID: 38576391 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
In arthropods, hemolymph carries immune cells and solubilizes and transports nutrients, hormones, and other molecules that are involved in diverse physiological processes including immunity, metabolism, and reproduction. However, despite such physiological importance, little is known about its composition. We applied mass spectrometry-based label-free quantification approaches to study the proteome of hemolymph perfused from sugar-fed female and male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. A total of 1403 proteins were identified, out of which 447 of them were predicted to be extracellular. In both sexes, almost half of these extracellular proteins were predicted to be involved in defense/immune response, and their relative abundances (based on their intensity-based absolute quantification, iBAQ) were 37.9 and 33.2%, respectively. Interestingly, among them, 102 serine proteases/serine protease-homologues were identified, with almost half of them containing CLIP regulatory domains. Moreover, proteins belonging to families classically described as chemoreceptors, such as odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs), were also highly abundant in the hemolymph of both sexes. Our data provide a comprehensive catalogue of A. aegypti hemolymph basal protein content, revealing numerous unexplored targets for future research on mosquito physiology and disease transmission. It also provides a reference for future studies on the effect of blood meal and infection on hemolymph composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia H Alvarenga
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIH-NIAID, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Thiago Luiz Alves E Silva
- Molecular Parasitology and Entomology Unit, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIH-NIAID, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Motoshi Suzuki
- Protein and Chemistry Section, Research Technologies Branch, NIH-NIAID, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Glenn Nardone
- Protein and Chemistry Section, Research Technologies Branch, NIH-NIAID, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Pedro Cecilio
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIH-NIAID, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Joel Vega-Rodriguez
- Molecular Parasitology and Entomology Unit, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIH-NIAID, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Jose M C Ribeiro
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIH-NIAID, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - John F Andersen
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIH-NIAID, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
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5
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Hong S, Shang J, Sun Y, Tang G, Wang C. Fungal infection of insects: molecular insights and prospects. Trends Microbiol 2024; 32:302-316. [PMID: 37778923 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) distribute in different fungal phyla with variable host ranges and play essential role in regulating insect populations by infecting hosts via cuticle penetration. The representative ascomycete EPF of Metarhizium and Beauveria species have been widely used in mechanistic investigations of fungus-insect interactions and as ecofriendly mycoinsecticides. Here, we review the function of diverse genes, pathways, and secondary metabolites associated with EPF stepwise infections. In particular, emerging evidence has shown that EPF have to outcompete insect ectomicrobiotas prior to penetrating cuticles, and subvert or evade host antifungal immunity by using effector-like proteins and chemicals like plant pathogens. Future prospects are discussed for a better understanding of fungal pathobiology, which will provide novel insights into microbe-animal interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Hong
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Junmei Shang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yaneli Sun
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guirong Tang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chengshu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
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6
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Sun LN, Meng JY, Wang Z, Lin SY, Shen J, Yan S. Research progress of aphid immunity system: Potential effective target for green pest management. INSECT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38415382 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Due to the absence of acquired immunity, insects primarily rely on their innate immune system to resist pathogenic microorganisms and parasitoids in natural habitats. This innate immune system can be classified into cellular immunity and humoral immunity. Cellular immunity is mediated by hemocytes, which perform phagocytosis, aggregation, and encapsulation to fight against invaders, whereas the humoral immunity primarily activates the immune signaling pathways and induces the generation of immune effectors. Existing studies have revealed that the hemipteran aphids lack some crucial immune genes compared to other insect species, indicating the different immune mechanisms in aphids. The current review summarizes the adverse impacts of pathogenic microorganisms and parasitoids on aphids, introduces the cellular and humoral immune systems in insects, and analyzes the differences between aphids and other insect species. Furthermore, our review also discussed the existing prospects and challenges in aphid immunity research, and proposed the potential application of immune genes in green pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Na Sun
- Department of Plant Biosecurity, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Yu Meng
- Guizhou Tobacco Science Research Institute, Guiyang, China
| | - Zeng Wang
- Department of Plant Biosecurity, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shi-Yang Lin
- Pu'er Agricultural Science Research Institute, Pu'er, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Plant Biosecurity, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuo Yan
- Department of Plant Biosecurity, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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7
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Urbanová V, Lu S, Kalinová E, Martins L, Kozelková T, Dyčka F, Ribeiro JM, Hajdušek O, Perner J, Kopáček P. From the fat body to the hemolymph: Profiling tick immune and storage proteins through transcriptomics and proteomics. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 165:104072. [PMID: 38185274 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Ticks are blood-feeding arachnids that are known to transmit various pathogenic microorganisms to their hosts. During blood feeding, ticks activate their metabolism and immune system to efficiently utilise nutrients from the host's blood and complete the feeding process. In contrast to insects, in which the fat body is known to be a central organ that controls essential metabolic processes and immune defense mechanisms, the function of the fat body in tick physiology is still relatively unexplored. To fill this gap, we sought to uncover the repertoire of genes expressed in the fat body associated with trachea (FB/Tr) by analyzing the transcriptome of individual, partially fed (previtellogenic) Ixodes ricinus females. The resulting catalog of individual mRNA sequences reveals a broad repertoire of transcripts encoding proteins involved in nutrient storage and distribution, as well as components of the tick immune system. To gain a detailed insight into the secretory products of FB/Tr specifically involved in inter-tissue transport and humoral immunity, the transcriptomic data were complemented with the proteome of soluble proteins in the hemolymph of partially fed female ticks. Among these proteins, the hemolipoglyco-carrier proteins were predominant. When comparing immune peptides and proteins from the fat body with those produced by hemocytes, we found that the fat body serves as a unique producer of certain immune components. Finally, time-resolved transcriptional regulation of selected immune transcripts from the FB/Tr was examined in response to experimental challenges with model microbes and analyzed by RT-qPCR. Overall, our data show that the fat body of ticks, similar to insects, is an important metabolic tissue that also plays a remarkable role in immune defense against invading microbes. These findings improve our understanding of tick biology and its impact on the transmission of tick-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Urbanová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Stephen Lu
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Eliška Kalinová
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Larissa Martins
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Laboratory of Neurological Infections and Immunity, Rocky Mountain Laboratories - NIH/NIAID, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Tereza Kozelková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Dyčka
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - José M Ribeiro
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ondřej Hajdušek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Perner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
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8
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Hu H, Hu Q, Weng Q, Wang J. Hemocytin, the special aggregation factor connecting insect hemolymph immunity, a potential target of insecticidal immunosuppresant. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 198:105704. [PMID: 38225099 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Insects possess an effective innate immunity that enables them to adapt to their intricate living environment and fend off various pathogens (or parasites). This innate immunity comprises both humoral and cellular immunity, which synergistically orchestrate immune responses. Hemocytin, a lectin with a distinctive structure, plays a crucial role in insect hemolymph immunity. Hemocytin is involved in the early immune response, facilitating processes such as coagulation, nodulation, and encapsulation in the hemolymph. It prevents hemolymph overflow and microbial pathogens invasion resulting from epidermal damage, and also aids in the recognition and elimination of invaders. However, the research on hemocytin is still limited. Our previous findings demonstrated that destruxin A effectively inhibits insect hemolymph immunity by interacting with hemocytin, suggesting that hemocytin could be a potential target for insecticides development. Therefore, it is crucial to gain a deeper understanding of hemocytin. This review integrates recent advancements in the study of the structure and function of insect hemocytin and also explores the potential of hemocytin as a target for insecticides. This review aims to enhance our comprehension of insect innate immunity and provide innovative ideas for the development of environmentally friendly pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwang Hu
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Qiongbo Hu
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Qunfang Weng
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Jingjing Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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Liu H, Wei X, Ye X, Zhang H, Yang K, Shi W, Zhang J, Jashenko R, Ji R, Hu H. The immune response of Locusta migratoria manilensis at different times of infection with Paranosema locustae. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 114:e22055. [PMID: 37786392 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Paranosema locustae is an entomopathogenic microsporidia with promising potential for controlling agricultural pests, including Locusta migratoria manilensis. However, it has the disadvantage of having a slow insecticidal rate, and how P. locustae infection impacts the host immune response is currently unknown. The present study investigated the effect of P. locustae on the natural immune response of L. migratoria and the activities of enzymes that protect against oxidative stress. Infection with P. locustae increased the hemocytes and nodulation number of L. migratoria at the initial stage of infection. The hemocyte-mediated modulation of immune response was also affected by a decrease in the number of hemocytes 12 days postinfection. Superoxide dismutase activity in locusts increased in the early stages of infection but decreased in the later stages, whereas the activities of peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) showed opposite trends may be due to their different mechanisms of action. Furthermore, the transcription levels of mRNA of antimicrobial peptide-related genes and phenoloxidase activity in hemolymph in L. migratoria were suppressed within 15 days of P. locustae infection. Overall, our data suggest that P. locustae create a conducive environment for its own proliferation in the host by disrupting the immune defense against it. These findings provide useful information for the potential application of P. locustae as a biocontrol agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Special Species Conservation and Regulatory Biology, International Research Center of Cross-Border Pest Management in Central Asia, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
- Tacheng, Research Field (Migratory Biology), Observation and Research Station of Xinjiang, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojia Wei
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Special Species Conservation and Regulatory Biology, International Research Center of Cross-Border Pest Management in Central Asia, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
- Tacheng, Research Field (Migratory Biology), Observation and Research Station of Xinjiang, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaofang Ye
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Special Species Conservation and Regulatory Biology, International Research Center of Cross-Border Pest Management in Central Asia, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
- Tacheng, Research Field (Migratory Biology), Observation and Research Station of Xinjiang, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Huihui Zhang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Special Species Conservation and Regulatory Biology, International Research Center of Cross-Border Pest Management in Central Asia, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
- Tacheng, Research Field (Migratory Biology), Observation and Research Station of Xinjiang, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Kun Yang
- Central for Prevention and Control of Prediction & Forecast Prevention of Locust and Rodent in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Wangpen Shi
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinrui Zhang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Special Species Conservation and Regulatory Biology, International Research Center of Cross-Border Pest Management in Central Asia, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
- Tacheng, Research Field (Migratory Biology), Observation and Research Station of Xinjiang, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Roman Jashenko
- Institute of Zoology RK93, Al-Farabi Ave., Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan
| | - Rong Ji
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Special Species Conservation and Regulatory Biology, International Research Center of Cross-Border Pest Management in Central Asia, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
- Tacheng, Research Field (Migratory Biology), Observation and Research Station of Xinjiang, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongxia Hu
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Special Species Conservation and Regulatory Biology, International Research Center of Cross-Border Pest Management in Central Asia, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
- Tacheng, Research Field (Migratory Biology), Observation and Research Station of Xinjiang, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
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10
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Zhang Y, Yan Y, Smagghe G, Yang H, Dai RH, Yang WJ. Identification and immune analysis of antimicrobial peptides from the cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne). INSECT SCIENCE 2023. [PMID: 37984503 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in insects are endogenous peptides that are effector components of the innate defense system of the insect. AMPs may serve as antimicrobial agents because of their small molecular weight and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. In this study, we performed transcriptome analysis of cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne) larvae, parasitized by the ectoparasitic wasp, Anisopteromalus calandrae. Several AMP genes were significantly upregulated following A. calandrae parasitism, postulating the hypothesis that the parasitization enhanced the host's resistance against pathogenic microorganisms through the regulation of host AMP genes. Specifically, 3 AMP genes (LsDef1, LsDef2, and LsCole) were significantly upregulated and we studied their immune function in L. serricorne. Immune challenge and functional analysis showed that LsCole was responsible for the immune response against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, while LsDef1 and LsDef2 were involved in insect defense against Gram-positive bacteria. Purified recombinant LsCole exhibited antimicrobial activities against the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli and the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. LsDef2 showed an antibacterial effect against S. aureus. LsCole and LsDef2 exhibited antibiofilm activity against S. aureus. The 2 AMPs disrupted cell membranes and caused leakage of S. aureus cell contents. The results indicated that the 3 AMPs in L. serricorne are involved in the innate immunity of this pest insect. These AMPs may have potential as antimicrobial agents for bacterial infection chemotherapy. Hence, data are discussed in relation to new control strategies with greater biosafety against pest insects with use of microbial biocontrol agents in combination with RNA interference against the insect's defensive AMP genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yi Yan
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Hong Yang
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Ren-Huai Dai
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Wen-Jia Yang
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
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Zhang Y, Fan X, Zang H, Liu X, Feng P, Ye D, Zhu L, Wu Y, Jiang H, Chen D, Guo R. Novel Insights into the circRNA-Modulated Developmental Mechanism of Western Honey Bee Larval Guts. INSECTS 2023; 14:897. [PMID: 37999096 PMCID: PMC10671861 DOI: 10.3390/insects14110897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of novel non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that play essential roles in the development and growth of vertebrates through multiple manners. However, the mechanism by which circRNAs modulate the honey bee gut development is currently poorly understood. Utilizing the transcriptome data we obtained earlier, the highly expressed circRNAs in the Apis mellifera worker 4-, 5-, and 6-day-old larval guts were analyzed, which was followed by an in-depth investigation of the expression pattern of circRNAs during the process of larval guts development and the potential regulatory roles of differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcircRNAs). In total, 1728 expressed circRNAs were detected in the A. mellifera larval guts. Among the most highly expressed 10 circRNAs, seven (novel_circ_000069, novel_circ_000027, novel_circ_000438, etc.) were shared by the 4-, 5-, and 6-day-old larval guts. In addition, 21 (46) up-regulated and 22 (27) down-regulated circRNAs were, respectively, screened in the Am4 vs. Am5 (Am5 vs. Am6) comparison groups. Additionally, nine DEcircRNAs, such as novel_circ_000340, novel_circ_000758 and novel_circ_001116, were shared by these two comparison groups. These DEcircRNAs were predicted to be transcribed from 14 and 29 parental genes; these were respectively annotated to 15 and 22 GO terms such as biological regulation and catalytic activity as well as 16 and 21 KEGG pathways such as dorsoventral axis formation and apoptosis. Moreover, a complicated competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was observed; novel_circ_000838 in the Am4 vs. Am5 comparison group potentially targeted ame-miR-6000a-3p, further targeting 518 mRNAs engaged in several developmental signaling pathways (e.g., TGF-beta, hedgehog, and wnt signaling pathway) and immune pathways (e.g., phagosome, lysosome, and MAPK signaling pathway). The results demonstrated that the novel_circ_000838-ame-miR-6000a-3p axis may plays a critical regulatory part in the larval gut development and immunity. Furthermore, back-splicing sites of six randomly selected DEcircRNAs were amplified and verified by PCR; an RT-qPCR assay of these six DEcircRNAs confirmed the reliability of the used high-throughput sequencing data. Our findings provide a novel insight into the honey bee gut development and pave a way for illustration of the circRNA-modulated developmental mechanisms underlying the A. mellifera worker larval guts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqiong Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.Z.); (X.F.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (P.F.); (D.Y.); (L.Z.); (D.C.)
| | - Xiaoxue Fan
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.Z.); (X.F.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (P.F.); (D.Y.); (L.Z.); (D.C.)
- National & Local United Engineering Laboratory of Natural Biotoxin, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Apitherapy Research Institute of Fujian Province, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - He Zang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.Z.); (X.F.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (P.F.); (D.Y.); (L.Z.); (D.C.)
- National & Local United Engineering Laboratory of Natural Biotoxin, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Apitherapy Research Institute of Fujian Province, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.Z.); (X.F.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (P.F.); (D.Y.); (L.Z.); (D.C.)
| | - Peilin Feng
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.Z.); (X.F.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (P.F.); (D.Y.); (L.Z.); (D.C.)
| | - Daoyou Ye
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.Z.); (X.F.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (P.F.); (D.Y.); (L.Z.); (D.C.)
| | - Leran Zhu
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.Z.); (X.F.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (P.F.); (D.Y.); (L.Z.); (D.C.)
| | - Ying Wu
- Jilin Institute of Apicultural Research, Jilin 132013, China; (Y.W.); (H.J.)
| | - Haibin Jiang
- Jilin Institute of Apicultural Research, Jilin 132013, China; (Y.W.); (H.J.)
| | - Dafu Chen
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.Z.); (X.F.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (P.F.); (D.Y.); (L.Z.); (D.C.)
- National & Local United Engineering Laboratory of Natural Biotoxin, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Apitherapy Research Institute of Fujian Province, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Rui Guo
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.Z.); (X.F.); (H.Z.); (X.L.); (P.F.); (D.Y.); (L.Z.); (D.C.)
- National & Local United Engineering Laboratory of Natural Biotoxin, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Apitherapy Research Institute of Fujian Province, Fuzhou 350002, China
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12
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Maingi FM, Akutse KS, Ajene IJ, Omolo KM, Khamis FM. Immunological responses and gut microbial shifts in Phthorimaea absoluta exposed to Metarhizium anisopliae isolates under different temperature regimes. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1258662. [PMID: 38029135 PMCID: PMC10666277 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1258662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The invasive tomato leaf miner, Phthorimaea absoluta, is conventionally controlled through chemical insecticides. However, the rise of insecticide resistance has necessitated sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) have shown potential due to their ability to overcome resistance and have minimal impact on non-target organisms. Despite this potential, the precise physiological mechanisms by which EPF acts on insect pests remain poorly understood. To attain a comprehensive understanding of the complex physiological processes that drive the successful control of P. absoluta adults through EPF, we investigated the impacts of different Metarhizium anisopliae isolates (ICIPE 665, ICIPE 20, ICIPE 18) on the pest's survival, cellular immune responses, and gut microbiota under varying temperatures. The study unveiled that ICIPE 18 caused the highest mortality rate among P. absoluta moths, while ICIPE 20 exhibited the highest significant reduction in total hemocyte counts after 10 days at 25°C. Moreover, both isolates elicited notable shifts in P. absoluta's gut microbiota. Our findings revealed that ICIPE 18 and ICIPE 20 compromised the pest's defense and physiological functions, demonstrating their potential as biocontrol agents against P. absoluta in tomato production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Muendo Maingi
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Komivi Senyo Akutse
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Unit for Environment Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Inusa Jacob Ajene
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Kevin Mbogo Omolo
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
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13
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Carestia A, Godin LC, Jenne CN. Step up to the platelet: Role of platelets in inflammation and infection. Thromb Res 2023; 231:182-194. [PMID: 36307228 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Platelets are anucleated cells derived from megakaryocytes that are primarily responsible for hemostasis. However, in recent years, these cytoplasts have become increasingly recognized as immune cells, able to detect, interact with, and kill pathogens. As platelets are involved in both immunity and coagulation, they have a central role in immunothrombosis, a physiological process in which immune cells induce the formation of microthrombi to both prevent the spread of pathogens, and to help facilitate clearance. In this review, we will highlight the role of platelets as key players in the inflammatory and innate immune response against bacterial and viral infection, including direct and indirect interactions with pathogens and other immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agostina Carestia
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
| | - Laura C Godin
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
| | - Craig N Jenne
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
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14
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Guluarte C, Pereyra A, Ramírez-Hernández E, Zenteno E, Luis Sánchez-Salgado J. The immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects of β-glucans in invertebrates. J Invertebr Pathol 2023; 201:108022. [PMID: 37984608 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.108022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
β-glucans (βGs) are carbohydrate polymers linked by β-1,3, 1,4 or 1,6 bonds, they have been used to protect against potential pathogens and prevent lethal diseases. The immune system possesses several receptors that identify a wide range of structures and trigger cellular and humoral mechanisms. However, the mechanisms by which βGs activate the immune system of invertebrate organisms have not been fully clarified. This review is focused on evaluating the effect of βGs on innate immune system in invertebrates. βGs stimulate different cellular and humoral mechanisms, such as phagocytosis, oxygen species production, extracellular trap formation, proPO system, and antimicrobial peptide synthesis, moreover, βGs increase survival rate and decrease pathogen load in several species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal Guluarte
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CP 04510 México City, Mexico
| | - Alí Pereyra
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CP 04510 México City, Mexico
| | - Eleazar Ramírez-Hernández
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CP 04510 México City, Mexico
| | - Edgar Zenteno
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CP 04510 México City, Mexico
| | - José Luis Sánchez-Salgado
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CP 04510 México City, Mexico.
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15
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Bi Y, Wu L, Li B, Hao Y, Li Z, Zhang J, Cheng A, Yuan G, Fan J. Effects of beauvericin on the blood cells of Bombyx mori. J Invertebr Pathol 2023; 201:108003. [PMID: 37838064 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.108003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
In this study, silkworms were treated by injection of the bioactive depsipeptide beauvericin (BEA) to explore its effect on the cellular immunity of larvae of the silkworm Bombyx mori. The results showed that: The LC50 of BEA for silkworms on the 3rd day of the 4th instar was 362.36 µM. The total count of circulating hemocytes in the silkworms decreased at 12 h after injection with 350 µM BEA, and reached the minimum value at 72 h post-treatment; at 48 h post-treatment, a large number of nodules formed by the aggregation of blood cells of the silkworms were observed under the light microscope. The survival rate of hemocytes in the larvae treated with BEA was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner in vivo and in vitro. The encapsulation of Q-Sepharose Fast Flow (QFF) gel particles by hemocytes in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group at 1.5 h and 3 h post-treatment (P < 0.05). Moreover, the melanization ratio of QFF gel particles kept increasing with treatment time. The melanization rate at 24 h after treatment was significantly higher than that at other times (P < 0.05), reaching 55.33 %. Under the scanning electron microscope, BEA-treated larvae showed protrusions on the surface of their blood cells in vivo. Under the transmission electron microscope, it was observed that silkworm hemocytes were vacuolated. This study demonstrated that BEA had an effect on the blood cells of silkworms, and has thrown some light on the inhibitory effect and mechanism of BEA on insect cellular immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Bi
- College of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030800, China
| | - Lingzhi Wu
- College of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030800, China
| | - Baozhen Li
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong 030619, China.
| | - Yanping Hao
- College of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030800, China
| | - Zixiao Li
- College of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030800, China
| | - Jiwei Zhang
- College of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030800, China
| | - Aiying Cheng
- College of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030800, China
| | - Guizhen Yuan
- College of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030800, China
| | - Jinhua Fan
- College of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030800, China.
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16
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Han G, Li C, Zhang N, Liu Q, Huang L, Xia Y, Xu J. CmHem, a hemolin-like gene identified from Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, involved in metamorphosis and baculovirus infection. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16225. [PMID: 37810787 PMCID: PMC10559889 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background As a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, hemolins play a vital role in insect development and defense against pathogens. However, the innate immune response of hemolin to baculovirus infection varies among different insects. Methods and results In this study, the hemolin-like gene from a Crambidae insect, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, CmHem was cloned, and its role in insect development and baculovirus infection was analyzed. A 1,528 bp contig as potential hemolin-like gene of C. medinalis was reassembled from the transcriptome. Further, the complete hemolin sequence of C. medinalis (CmHem) was cloned and sequenced. The cDNA of CmHem was 1,515 bp in length and encoded 408 amino acids. The deduced amino acid of CmHem has relatively low identities (41.9-62.3%) to various insect hemolins. However, it contains four Ig domains similarity to other insect hemolins. The expression level of CmHem was the highest in eggs, followed by pupae and adults, and maintained a low expression level at larval stage. The synthesized siRNAs were injected into mature larvae, and the CmHem transcription decreased by 51.7%. Moreover, the abdominal somites of larvae became straightened, could not pupate normally, and then died. Infection with a baculovirus, C. medinalis granulovirus (CnmeGV), the expression levels of CmHem in the midgut and fat body of C. medinalis significantly increased at 12 and 24 h, respectively, and then soon returned to normal levels. Conclusions Our results suggested that hemolin may be related to the metamorphosis of C. medinalis. Exposure to baculovirus induced the phased expression of hemolin gene in the midgut and fat body of C. medinalis, indicated that hemolin involved in the immune recognition of Crambidae insects to baculovirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangjie Han
- Lixiahe District Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Jiangsu, Yangzhou, China
| | - Chuanming Li
- Lixiahe District Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Jiangsu, Yangzhou, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Lixiahe District Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Jiangsu, Yangzhou, China
| | - Qin Liu
- Lixiahe District Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Jiangsu, Yangzhou, China
| | - Lixin Huang
- Lixiahe District Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Jiangsu, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yang Xia
- Lixiahe District Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Jiangsu, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jian Xu
- Lixiahe District Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Jiangsu, Yangzhou, China
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17
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Monahan CF, Bogan JE, LaDouceur EEB. Histological Findings in Captive Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches ( Gromphadorhina portentosa) and a Literature Review. Vet Pathol 2023; 60:667-677. [PMID: 37060322 DOI: 10.1177/03009858231166659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Madagascar hissing cockroaches (MHC, Gromphadorhina portentosa) are members of the Blaberidae (giant cockroaches) family of the Insecta class. They are native to the African island of Madagascar where they live within leaf litter on the rainforest floor. Due to their large size, relative tameness, and general easy keeping, they have become popular in classrooms, zoological collections, museums, research laboratories, and as private exotic pets; however, descriptions of diseases of MHC in the literature are rare. The objective of this study is to describe and characterize postmortem histological findings in 18 captive MHC from a single zoological collection. In this retrospective study, 18 (4 females and 14 males) adult MHC necropsies were submitted to Northwest ZooPath between 2016 and 2020 for evaluation. The main organs with histological lesions were chitinous gut (foregut and/or hindgut; n = 17), tracheae (n = 15), fat body (n = 14), ventriculus (midgut) (n = 13), body wall (n = 12), Malpighian tubules (n = 12), and hemolymphatic sinuses (n = 12). All animals had inflammatory lesions affecting various organs. Inflammatory lesions typically consisted of aggregates of hemocytes with variable amounts of melanization and/or encapsulation. Bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections were common and variably associated with hemocytic inflammation. Many of these organisms may represent symbiotic organisms of the MHC that cause opportunistic infections. This study contributes to the current knowledge of pathological findings and disease response of MHC and reviews diseases reported in multiple cockroach species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James E Bogan
- Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Sanford, FL
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18
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Mahanta DK, Bhoi TK, Komal J, Samal I, Nikhil RM, Paschapur AU, Singh G, Kumar PVD, Desai HR, Ahmad MA, Singh PP, Majhi PK, Mukherjee U, Singh P, Saini V, Shahanaz, Srinivasa N, Yele Y. Insect-pathogen crosstalk and the cellular-molecular mechanisms of insect immunity: uncovering the underlying signaling pathways and immune regulatory function of non-coding RNAs. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1169152. [PMID: 37691928 PMCID: PMC10491481 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1169152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Multicellular organisms are constantly subjected to pathogens that might be harmful. Although insects lack an adaptive immune system, they possess highly effective anti-infective mechanisms. Bacterial phagocytosis and parasite encapsulation are some forms of cellular responses. Insects often defend themselves against infections through a humoral response. This phenomenon includes the secretion of antimicrobial peptides into the hemolymph. Specific receptors for detecting infection are required for the recognition of foreign pathogens such as the proteins that recognize glucans and peptidoglycans, together referred to as PGRPs and βGRPs. Activation of these receptors leads to the stimulation of signaling pathways which further activates the genes encoding for antimicrobial peptides. Some instances of such pathways are the JAK-STAT, Imd, and Toll. The host immune response that frequently accompanies infections has, however, been circumvented by diseases, which may have assisted insects evolve their own complicated immune systems. The role of ncRNAs in insect immunology has been discussed in several notable studies and reviews. This paper examines the most recent research on the immune regulatory function of ncRNAs during insect-pathogen crosstalk, including insect- and pathogen-encoded miRNAs and lncRNAs, and provides an overview of the important insect signaling pathways and effector mechanisms activated by diverse pathogen invaders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Kumar Mahanta
- Department of Entomology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Samastipur, Bihar, India
| | - Tanmaya Kumar Bhoi
- Forest Protection Division, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) - Arid Forest Research Institute (ICFRE-AFRI), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - J. Komal
- Department of Entomology, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, India
| | - Ipsita Samal
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Litchi, Mushahari, Ramna, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India
| | - R. M. Nikhil
- Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Amit Umesh Paschapur
- Crop Protection Division, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Almora, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Gaurav Singh
- The Directorate of Research, Maharana Pratap Horticultural University, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - P. V. Dinesh Kumar
- Department of Plant Pathology University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - H. R. Desai
- Department of Entomology, Main Cotton Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Gujarat, India
| | - Mohammad Abbas Ahmad
- Department of Entomology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Samastipur, Bihar, India
| | - P. P. Singh
- Department of Entomology, Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Samastipur, Bihar, India
| | - Prasanta Kumar Majhi
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - U. Mukherjee
- Department of Entomology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Samastipur, Bihar, India
| | - Pushpa Singh
- Department of Entomology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Samastipur, Bihar, India
| | - Varun Saini
- Department of Entomology, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Shahanaz
- Department of Entomology, College of Horticulture Mojerla, Sri Konda Laxman Telengana State Horticultural University, Wanaparthy, Telengana, India
| | - N. Srinivasa
- Department of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Yogesh Yele
- School of Crop Health Management Research, Council of Agricultural Research-National Institute of Biotic Stress Management (ICAR)- National Institute of Biotic Stress Management, Raipur, India
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Li Y, Tan M, Wu H, Zhang A, Xu J, Meng Z, Yan S, Jiang D. Transfer of Cd along the food chain: The susceptibility of Hyphantria cunea larvae to Beauveria bassiana under Cd stress. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 453:131420. [PMID: 37084517 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metal can affect the bio-control efficiency of entomopathogenic fungi on pests, but this has not been studied in the food chain. Here, the food chain of soil-Fraxinus mandshurica-Hyphantria cunea was constructed to investigate the effect of cadmium (Cd) exposure on the susceptibility of H. cunea larvae to Beauveria bassiana (Bb) and to analyze the corresponding mechanism through larval innate immunity and energy metabolism. Cd through the food chain synergistically enhanced the susceptibility of H. cunea larvae to Bb. Cellular immunity-related parameters decreased when the Cd treatment group was compared with the control group and when the combined treatment group of Cd and Bb was compared with the Bb treatment group. Cd exposure induced hormesis on pathogen recognition and signal transduction genes of humoral immunity, but reduced the expression of effector genes. The expression of the 13 humoral immunity-related genes in the combined treatment group was lower than in the Bb treatment group. Cd exposure decreased the energy storage of H. cunea larvae before Bb infection and aggravated the disorder level of energy metabolism after Bb infection. Taken together, disturbance of innate immunity and energy metabolism improves the susceptibility of H. cunea larvae to Bb in the Cd-polluted food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaning Li
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Mingtao Tan
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Hongfei Wu
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Aoying Zhang
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Jinsheng Xu
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Zhaojun Meng
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Shanchun Yan
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China.
| | - Dun Jiang
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China.
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Wrońska AK, Kaczmarek A, Boguś MI, Kuna A. Lipids as a key element of insect defense systems. Front Genet 2023; 14:1183659. [PMID: 37359377 PMCID: PMC10289264 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1183659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The relationship between insect pathogenic fungi and their insect hosts is a classic example of a co-evolutionary arms race between pathogen and target host: parasites evolve towards mechanisms that increase their advantage over the host, and the host increasingly strengthens its defenses. The present review summarizes the literature data describing the direct and indirect role of lipids as an important defense mechanism during fungal infection. Insect defense mechanisms comprise anatomical and physiological barriers, and cellular and humoral response mechanisms. The entomopathogenic fungi have the unique ability to digest the insect cuticle by producing hydrolytic enzymes with chitin-, lipo- and proteolytic activity; besides the oral tract, cuticle pays the way for fungal entry within the host. The key factor in insect resistance to fungal infection is the presence of certain types of lipids (free fatty acids, waxes or hydrocarbons) which can promote or inhibit fungal attachment to cuticle, and might also have antifungal activity. Lipids are considered as an important source of energy, and as triglycerides are stored in the fat body, a structure analogous to the liver and adipose tissue in vertebrates. In addition, the fat body plays a key role in innate humoral immunity by producing a range of bactericidal proteins and polypeptides, one of which is lysozyme. Energy derived from lipid metabolism is used by hemocytes to migrate to the site of fungal infection, and for phagocytosis, nodulation and encapsulation. One polyunsaturated fatty acid, arachidonic acid, is used in the synthesis of eicosanoids, which play several crucial roles in insect physiology and immunology. Apolipoprotein III is important compound with antifungal activity, which can modulate insect cellular response and is considered as important signal molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Katarzyna Wrońska
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Science, Warszawa, Poland
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agata Kaczmarek
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Science, Warszawa, Poland
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mieczysława Irena Boguś
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Science, Warszawa, Poland
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Kuna
- Independent Researcher, Warsaw, Poland
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Naccarato A, Vommaro ML, Amico D, Sprovieri F, Pirrone N, Tagarelli A, Giglio A. Triazine Herbicide and NPK Fertilizer Exposure: Accumulation of Heavy Metals and Rare Earth Elements, Effects on Cuticle Melanization, and Immunocompetence in the Model Species Tenebrio molitor. TOXICS 2023; 11:499. [PMID: 37368599 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11060499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The increasing use of agrochemicals, including fertilizers and herbicides, has led to worrying metal contamination of soils and waters and raises serious questions about the effects of their transfer to different levels of the trophic web. Accumulation and biomagnification of essential (K, Na, Mg, Zn, Ca), nonessential (Sr, Hg, Rb, Ba, Se, Cd, Cr, Pb, As), and rare earth elements (REEs) were investigated in newly emerged adults of Tenebrio molitor exposed to field-admitted concentrations of a metribuzin-based herbicide and an NPK blend fertilizer. Chemical analyses were performed using inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) supported by unsupervised pattern recognition techniques. Physiological parameters such as cuticle melanization, cellular (circulating hemocytes), and humoral (phenoloxidase enzyme activity) immune responses and mass loss were tested as exposure markers in both sexes. The results showed that NPK fertilizer application is the main cause of REE accumulation in beetles over time, besides toxic elements (Sr, Hg, Cr, Rb, Ba, Ni, Al, V, U) also present in the herbicide-treated beetles. The biomagnification of Cu and Zn suggested a high potential for food web transfer in agroecosystems. Gender differences in element concentrations suggested that males and females differ in element uptake and excretion. Differences in phenotypic traits show that exposure affects metabolic pathways involving sequestration and detoxification during the transition phase from immature-to-mature beetles, triggering a redistribution of resources between sexual maturation and immune responses. Our findings highlight the importance of setting limits for metals and REEs in herbicides and fertilizers to avoid adverse effects on species that provide ecosystem services and contribute to soil health in agroecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attilio Naccarato
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria,87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Maria Luigia Vommaro
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Domenico Amico
- CNR-Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Pirrone
- CNR-Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Antonio Tagarelli
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria,87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Anita Giglio
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
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22
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Xu J, Zheng L, Tan M, Wu H, Yan S, Jiang D. The susceptibility of Hyphantria cunea larvae to microbial pesticides Bacillus thuringiensis and Mamestra brassicae nuclear polyhedrosis virus under Cd stress. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 191:105383. [PMID: 36963948 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metal pollution is an abiotic factor that can affect the efficiency of pest control. In this study, two microbial pesticides, Bacillus thuringiensis and Mamestra brassicae nuclear polyhedrosis virus (MbNPV), were used to treat Hyphantria cunea larvae with Cd pre-exposure, and the humoral and cellular immunity of H. cunea larvae with Cd exposure were evaluated. The results showed that Cd exposure increased the susceptibility of H. cunea larvae to microbial pesticides B. thuringiensis and MbNPV, and the lethal effect of Cd exposure and microbial pesticides on H. cunea larvae was synergistic. Cd exposure significantly decreased the expression of pathogen recognition genes (GNBP1 and GNBP3), signal transduction genes (Relish, Myd88, Tube, and Imd), and antimicrobial peptide gene (Lebocin) in the humoral immunity of H. cunea larvae compared with the untreated larvae. Parameters of cellular immunity, including the number of hemocytes, phagocytic activity, melanization activity, encapsulation activity, and the expression of three phagocytic regulatory genes (HEM1, GALE1, GALE2), were also found to decrease significantly in Cd-treated larvae. TOPSIS analysis showed that humoral immunity, cellular immunity, and total immunity levels of H. cunea larvae with Cd exposure were weaker than those in untreated larvae. Correlation analysis showed that the mortality of two microbial pesticides investigated in H. cunea larvae was negatively correlated with the humoral and cellular immunity of larvae. Taken togther, Cd exposure results in immunotoxic effects on H. cunea larvae and the use of microbial pesticides are an effective strategy for pest control in heavy metal-polluted areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsheng Xu
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Lin Zheng
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Mingtao Tan
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Hongfei Wu
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Shanchun Yan
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Dun Jiang
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China.
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23
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Ferguson LV, Adamo SA. From perplexing to predictive: are we ready to forecast insect disease susceptibility in a warming world? J Exp Biol 2023; 226:288412. [PMID: 36825944 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.244911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Insects are critical to our ecosystems, but we do not fully understand their future in our warming world. Rising temperatures are affecting insect physiology in myriad ways, including changes to their immune systems and the ability to fight infection. Whether predicted changes in temperature will contribute to insect mortality or success, and the role of disease in their future survival, remains unclear. Although heat can enhance immunity by activating the integrated defense system (e.g. via the production of protective molecules such as heat-shock proteins) and accelerating enzyme activity, heat can also compromise the immune system through energetic-resource trade-offs and damage. The responses to heat are highly variable among species. The reasons for this variability are poorly known, and we are lagging in our understanding of how and why the immune system responds to changes in temperature. In this Commentary, we highlight the variation in insect immune responses to heat and the likely underlying mechanisms. We suggest that we are currently limited in our ability to predict the effects of rising temperatures on insect immunity and disease susceptibility, largely owing to incomplete information, coupled with a lack of tools for data integration. Moreover, existing data are concentrated on a relatively small number of insect Orders. We provide suggestions for a path towards making more accurate predictions, which will require studies with realistic temperature exposures and housing design, and a greater understanding of both the thermal biology of the immune system and connections between immunity and the physiological responses to heat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura V Ferguson
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Shelley A Adamo
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
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24
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Sukkar D, Laval-Gilly P, Bonnefoy A, Malladi S, Azoury S, Kanso A, Falla-Angel J. Differential Production of Nitric Oxide and Hydrogen Peroxide among Drosophila melanogaster, Apis mellifera, and Mamestra brassicae Immune-Activated Hemocytes after Exposure to Imidacloprid and Amitraz. INSECTS 2023; 14:174. [PMID: 36835742 PMCID: PMC9966094 DOI: 10.3390/insects14020174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Invertebrates have a diverse immune system that responds differently to stressors such as pesticides and pathogens, which leads to different degrees of susceptibility. Honeybees are facing a phenomenon called colony collapse disorder which is attributed to several factors including pesticides and pathogens. We applied an in vitro approach to assess the response of immune-activated hemocytes from Apis mellifera, Drosophila melanogaster and Mamestra brassicae after exposure to imidacloprid and amitraz. Hemocytes were exposed to the pesticides in single and co-exposures using zymosan A for immune activation. We measured the effect of these exposures on cell viability, nitric oxide (NO) production from 15 to 120 min and on extracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production after 3 h to assess potential alterations in the oxidative response. Our results indicate that NO and H2O2 production is more altered in honeybee hemocytes compared to D. melanogaster and M. brassicae cell lines. There is also a differential production at different time points after pesticide exposure between these insect species as contrasting effects were evident with the oxidative responses in hemocytes. The results imply that imidacloprid and amitraz act differently on the immune response among insect orders and may render honeybee colonies more susceptible to infection and pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dani Sukkar
- Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences I, Lebanese University, Hadath 1003, Lebanon
- Laboratoire Sols et Environnement, Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), Université de Lorraine, 54000 Nancy, France
| | - Philippe Laval-Gilly
- Laboratoire Sols et Environnement, Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), Université de Lorraine, 54000 Nancy, France
| | - Antoine Bonnefoy
- Plateforme de Recherche, Transfert de Technologie et Innovation (PRTI), Institut Universitaire de Technologie de Thionville-Yutz, Université de Lorraine, 57970 Yutz, France
| | - Sandhya Malladi
- Laboratoire Sols et Environnement, Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), Université de Lorraine, 54000 Nancy, France
| | - Sabine Azoury
- Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences I, Lebanese University, Hadath 1003, Lebanon
| | - Ali Kanso
- Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences I, Lebanese University, Hadath 1003, Lebanon
| | - Jairo Falla-Angel
- Laboratoire Sols et Environnement, Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), Université de Lorraine, 54000 Nancy, France
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25
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Xiao Z, Yao X, Bai S, Wei J, An S. Involvement of an Enhanced Immunity Mechanism in the Resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis in Lepidopteran Pests. INSECTS 2023; 14:151. [PMID: 36835720 PMCID: PMC9965922 DOI: 10.3390/insects14020151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is the safest, economically successful entomopathogen to date. It is extensively produced in transgenic crops or used in spray formulations to control Lepidopteran pests. The most serious threat to the sustainable usage of Bt is insect resistance. The resistance mechanisms to Bt toxins depend not only on alterations in insect receptors, but also on the enhancement of insect immune responses. In this work, we review the current knowledge of the immune response and resistance of insects to Bt formulations and Bt proteins, mainly in Lepidopteran pests. We discuss the pattern recognition proteins for recognizing Bt, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and their synthetic signaling pathways, the prophenoloxidase system, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, nodulation, encapsulation, phagocytosis, and cell-free aggregates, which are involved in immune response reactions or resistance to Bt. This review also analyzes immune priming, which contributes to the evolution of insect resistance to Bt, and puts forward strategies to improve the insecticidal activity of Bt formulations and manage insect resistance, targeting the insect immune responses and resistance.
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26
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Liu L, Wang D. Four antimicrobial peptides of Asian gypsy moth respond to infection of its viral pathogen, nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV). PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 190:105335. [PMID: 36740343 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2022.105335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play essential roles in defending against various invading pathogens. Although antibacterial or antifungal properties of AMPs have been well characterized, the contribution of AMPs to immune defenses against viruses especially baculoviruses is still unclear. In this study, four full-length AMP genes (Ldcec, Ldatt, Ldglo and Ldmor) that encode the cecropin, attacin, gloverin and moricin, respectively, were characterized in Lymantria dispar (Asian gypsy moth). All four AMPs were cationic peptides and exhibited hydrophilicity. Structural analysis showed that the Ldcec and Ldmor were α-helical peptides. Tissue-specific Ldcec expression was the highest in fat body, while expression of Ldatt, Ldglo and Ldmor was the highest in epidermis. All four AMP genes were expressed during all developmental stages with the highest expression in the pupa and adult. Compared to mock infection, expression of these four AMP genes were significantly induced following Lymantria dispar multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV) challenge and sharply increased at 72 h post infection. After Ldglo gene silencing, the DNA replication levels of LdMNPV in L. dispar larvae significantly increased at 48 and 72 h post infection, indicating that the Ldglo could suppress the DNA replication of LdMNPV. Our results suggest that four AMPs of L. dispar may play important roles in antiviral immunity against LdMNPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Dun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China.
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27
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Tafesh-Edwards G, Eleftherianos I. Functional role of thioester-containing proteins in the Drosophila anti-pathogen immune response. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 139:104578. [PMID: 36270515 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2022.104578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Thioester-containing proteins (TEPs) are present in many animal species ranging from deuterostomes to protostomes, which emphasizes their evolutionary conservation and importance in animal physiology. Phylogenetically, insect TEPs share sequence similarity with mammalian α2-macroglobulin. Drosophila melanogaster is specifically considered a superb model for teasing apart innate immune processes. Here we review recent discoveries on the involvement of Drosophila TEPs in the immune response against bacterial pathogens, nematode parasites, and parasitoid wasps. This information generates novel insights into the role of TEPs as regulators of homeostasis in Drosophila and supports the complexity of immune recognition and specificity in insects and more generally in invertebrates. These developments together with recent advances in gene editing and multi-omics will enable the fly immunity community to appreciate the molecular and mechanistic contributions of TEPs to the modulation of the host defense against infectious disease and possibly to translate this information into tangible therapeutic benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghada Tafesh-Edwards
- Infection and Innate Immunity Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington DC, 20052, USA.
| | - Ioannis Eleftherianos
- Infection and Innate Immunity Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington DC, 20052, USA.
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28
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Perveen N, Muhammad K, Muzaffar SB, Zaheer T, Munawar N, Gajic B, Sparagano OA, Kishore U, Willingham AL. Host-pathogen interaction in arthropod vectors: Lessons from viral infections. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1061899. [PMID: 36817439 PMCID: PMC9929866 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1061899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Haematophagous arthropods can harbor various pathogens including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and nematodes. Insects possess an innate immune system comprising of both cellular and humoral components to fight against various infections. Haemocytes, the cellular components of haemolymph, are central to the insect immune system as their primary functions include phagocytosis, encapsulation, coagulation, detoxification, and storage and distribution of nutritive materials. Plasmatocytes and granulocytes are also involved in cellular defense responses. Blood-feeding arthropods, such as mosquitoes and ticks, can harbour a variety of viral pathogens that can cause infectious diseases in both human and animal hosts. Therefore, it is imperative to study the virus-vector-host relationships since arthropod vectors are important constituents of the ecosystem. Regardless of the complex immune response of these arthropod vectors, the viruses usually manage to survive and are transmitted to the eventual host. A multidisciplinary approach utilizing novel and strategic interventions is required to control ectoparasite infestations and block vector-borne transmission of viral pathogens to humans and animals. In this review, we discuss the arthropod immune response to viral infections with a primary focus on the innate immune responses of ticks and mosquitoes. We aim to summarize critically the vector immune system and their infection transmission strategies to mammalian hosts to foster debate that could help in developing new therapeutic strategies to protect human and animal hosts against arthropod-borne viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nighat Perveen
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Khalid Muhammad
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sabir Bin Muzaffar
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Tean Zaheer
- Department of Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Nayla Munawar
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Bojan Gajic
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Olivier Andre Sparagano
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Uday Kishore
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Arve Lee Willingham
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
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Potentially Virulent Multi-Drug Resistant Escherichia fergusonii Isolated from Inanimate Surface in a Medical University: Omphisa fuscidentalis as an Alternative for Bacterial Virulence Determination. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13020279. [PMID: 36673089 PMCID: PMC9858318 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13020279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria are becoming a worldwide problem due to limited options for treatment. Moreover, patients infected by MDR with highly virulent accessories are worsening the symptoms, even to the point of causing death. In this study, we isolated bacteria from 14 inanimate surfaces that could potentially be reservoirs for the spread of bacterial infections in the medical university. Blood agar media was used for bacterial isolation. The bacterial colony that showed hemolytic activities on each surface was tested for antimicrobial susceptibility against eight different antibiotics. We found that MDR bacterium, namely TB1, which was isolated from a toilet bowl, was non-susceptible to ampicillin, imipenem, chloramphenicol, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, gentamicin, and tetracycline. Another MDR bacterium isolated from the mobile phone screen of security officers, namely HSO, was resistant to chloramphenicol, gentamicin, tetracycline, and cefixime. An in vivo virulence test of bacterial isolates used Omphisa fuscidentalis larvae as an alternative to Galleria mellonella larvae for the infection model. A virulence test of TB1 in O. fuscidentalis larvae revealed 20% survival in the bacterial density of 104 and 105 CFU/larvae; and 0% survival in the bacterial density of 106 CFU/larvae at 24 h after injection. Bacterial identification was performed for TB1 as a potential virulent isolate. Bacterial identification using partial 16s rRNA gene showed that TB1 exhibited 99.84% identity to Escherichia fergusonii 2611. This study concludes that TB1 is a potentially virulent MDR E. fergusonii isolated from toilet bowls at a medical university.
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Duan H, Zuo J, Pan N, Cui X, Guo J, Sui L. 3-Hydroxybutyrate helps crayfish resistant to Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection in versatile ways. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 132:108444. [PMID: 36436688 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2022.11.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The bacterial storage compound poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a potential bio-control agent in aquaculture. It has been reported that PHB benefit to the survival and growth, and improve their immunity of aquatic animals. However, the cellular and molecular regulation mechanisms of PHB in immunity process remain unclear. This study investigated the immune mechanism of hemocytes regulated by Halomonas-PHB (PHB-HM) and PHB monomer 3-HB. Red claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus was used as the experimental animal in cytological study. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry (FCM) analysis indicated that PHB-HM labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) could be engulfed by granulocytes (Gs) and semi-granulocytes (SGs) upon in vitro incubation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) further showed the ongoing degradation of PHB granules inside Gs and SGs after the injection of PHB-HM into crayfish sinus, but phagocytosis of PHB-HM by hyalinocyte (H) was not observed. Therefore, Gs and SGs are considered the main effector cells of cellular immunity induced by PHB-HM, and SGs likely played a particular important role in this process. To study the biosafety and molecular mechanism of PHB monomer 3-HB, hemocyte viability and expression of the related genes were determined after being exposed to 0-1 mg/mL of 3-HB, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VP) was used as the pathogenic bacterium. The results confirmed that 3-HB had no toxic effect on hemocytes by means of cell viability assay, and supplementation with 1 mg/mL of 3-HB suppressed the growth rate of VP in TSB medium. Moreover, injection of 3-HB into the blood sinus of crayfish remarkably improved the phagocytic rate of Gs and SGs on VP. Furthermore, transcriptome assay was designed to illuminate the molecular mechanism of 3-HB regulation using red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii as experimental animals. RNA-seq analysis and qRT-PCR verification revealed that the microtubule and cytoskeleton-related genes were high expressed 3 h after 3-HB injection, indicating both genes might involve in building up the innate immunity. In summary, bacterial storage PHB could be phagocytosed by main effector blood cells and likely to be degraded within the cells. 3-HB helped the crayfish resistant to pathogens through improving phagocytosis, suppressing the growth of pathogenic bacteria, and increasing the expression of microtubule-related genes. The findings in this work provide cytological and molecular evidence which will facilitate the application of PHB and 3-HB as immune-control agents in farming of aquatic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Duan
- Asian Regional Artemia Reference Center, College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin, 300457, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Chemistry and Food Technology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Jiajun Zuo
- Asian Regional Artemia Reference Center, College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Namin Pan
- Asian Regional Artemia Reference Center, College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Xueping Cui
- Asian Regional Artemia Reference Center, College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Jianlin Guo
- Agriculture Ministry Key Laboratory of Healthy Freshwater Aquaculture, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou, 313001, China
| | - Liying Sui
- Asian Regional Artemia Reference Center, College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin, 300457, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Chemistry and Food Technology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin, 300457, China.
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The immunotoxicity of ten insecticides against insect hemocyte cells in vitro. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2022; 58:912-921. [PMID: 36443536 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-022-00738-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Hemocytes in the hemolymph of insects perform innate immunity, but systematic studies to compare immunotoxicity of pesticides on hemocytes are still few. In this study, an insect hemocyte system was used to assess the impact of pesticides with different modes of action, which included loss of cell viability, inhibition of hemophagocytosis, and reduction of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity. Results showed that piericidin A was the most cytotoxic to hemocytes, chlorfluazuron and hexaflumuron were the next. Also, piericidin A, chlorfenapyr, and fipronil had strong inhibitory effects on hemophagocytosis, and the effects of piericidin A and chlorfenapyr were persistent, while that of fipronil was short-lived. Moreover, fenoxycarb and hexaflumuron selectively inhibited granulocyte phagocytosis, tebufenozide only showed inhibition on plasmatocyte phagocytosis, but both inhibitory effects were transient. Furthermore, fenoxycarb and hexaflumuron showed a short-term strong inhibitory effect on the activity of NOS, chlorfenapyr and piericidin A showed a weak induction of NOS activity, while other pesticides exhibited a strong induction. Taken together, piericidin A was the most toxic and imidacloprid was the least toxic to hemocytes, and the alterations in hemocyte functions compromised immunity.
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Guevara T, Rodríguez-Banqueri A, Stöcker W, Becker-Pauly C, Gomis-Rüth FX. Zymogenic latency in an ∼250-million-year-old astacin metallopeptidase. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2022; 78:1347-1357. [PMID: 36322418 PMCID: PMC9629494 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798322009688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus is one of few extant Limulus species, which date back to ∼250 million years ago under the conservation of a common Bauplan documented by fossil records. It possesses the only proteolytic blood-coagulation and innate immunity system outside vertebrates and is a model organism for the study of the evolution and function of peptidases. The astacins are a family of metallopeptidases that share a central ∼200-residue catalytic domain (CD), which is found in >1000 species across holozoans and, sporadically, bacteria. Here, the zymogen of an astacin from L. polyphemus was crystallized and its structure was solved. A 34-residue, mostly unstructured pro-peptide (PP) traverses, and thus blocks, the active-site cleft of the CD in the opposite direction to a substrate. A central `PP motif' (F35-E-G-D-I39) adopts a loop structure which positions Asp38 to bind the catalytic metal, replacing the solvent molecule required for catalysis in the mature enzyme according to an `aspartate-switch' mechanism. Maturation cleavage of the PP liberates the cleft and causes the rearrangement of an `activation segment'. Moreover, the mature N-terminus is repositioned to penetrate the CD moiety and is anchored to a buried `family-specific' glutamate. Overall, this mechanism of latency is reminiscent of that of the other three astacins with known zymogenic and mature structures, namely crayfish astacin, human meprin β and bacterial myroilysin, but each shows specific structural characteristics. Remarkably, myroilysin lacks the PP motif and employs a cysteine instead of the aspartate to block the catalytic metal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibisay Guevara
- Proteolysis Laboratory, Department of Structural Biology, Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona (IBMB), Higher Scientific Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona Science Park, Baldiri Reixac 15–21, Helix Building, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Arturo Rodríguez-Banqueri
- Proteolysis Laboratory, Department of Structural Biology, Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona (IBMB), Higher Scientific Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona Science Park, Baldiri Reixac 15–21, Helix Building, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Walter Stöcker
- Institut für Molekulare Physiologie (IMP), Johannes-Gutenberg Universität Mainz (JGU), Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 7, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Christoph Becker-Pauly
- Biochemical Institute, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Otto-Hahn-Platz 9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - F. Xavier Gomis-Rüth
- Proteolysis Laboratory, Department of Structural Biology, Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona (IBMB), Higher Scientific Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona Science Park, Baldiri Reixac 15–21, Helix Building, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain,Correspondence e-mail:
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Intracellular cytokine detection based on flow cytometry in hemocytes from Galleria mellonella larvae: A new protocol. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274120. [PMID: 36173940 PMCID: PMC9521830 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Invertebrates are becoming increasingly popular models for research on the immune system. The innate immunity possessed by insects shows both structural and functional similarity to the resistance displayed by mammals, and many processes occurring in insect hemocytes are similar to those that occur in mammals. However, the use of insects as research models requires the development of methods for working with hemocytes. The aim of this study was to develop a protocol for intracellular cytokine detection in Galleria mellonella larvae hemocytes based on flow cytometry. It describes the anticoagulant composition of the buffer, the optimal conditions for hemocyte permeabilization and fixation, as well as the conditions of cell centrifugation to prevent cell disintegration. A key element is the selection of staining conditions, especially the length of the incubation time with the primary antibody, which turned out to be much longer than recommended for mammalian cells. The development of these individual steps allowed for the creation of a reproducible protocol for cytokine detection using flow cytometry in wax moth hemocytes. This will certainly facilitate the development of further protocols allowing for wider use of insect cells in immunological research.
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Characterization of New Defensin Antimicrobial Peptides and Their Expression in Bed Bugs in Response to Bacterial Ingestion and Injection. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911505. [PMID: 36232802 PMCID: PMC9570333 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Common bed bugs, Cimex lectularius, can carry, but do not transmit, pathogens to the vertebrate hosts on which they feed. Some components of the innate immune system of bed bugs, such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), eliminate the pathogens. Here, we determined the molecular characteristics, structural properties, and phylogenetic relatedness of two new defensins (CL-defensin1 (XP_024085718.1), CL-defensin2 (XP_014240919.1)), and two new defensin isoforms (CL-defensin3a (XP_014240918.1), CL-defensin3b (XP_024083729.1)). The complete amino acid sequences of CL-defensin1, CL-defensin2, CL-defensin3a, and CL-defensin3b are strongly conserved, with only minor differences in their signal and pro-peptide regions. We used a combination of comparative transcriptomics and real-time quantitative PCR to evaluate the expression of these defensins in the midguts and the rest of the body of insects that had been injected with bacteria or had ingested blood containing the Gram-positive (Gr+) bacterium Bacillus subtilis and the Gram-negative (Gr–) bacterium Escherichia coli. We demonstrate, for the first time, sex-specific and immunization mode-specific upregulation of bed bug defensins in response to injection or ingestion of Gr+ or Gr– bacteria. Understanding the components, such as these defensins, of the bed bugs’ innate immune systems in response to pathogens may help unravel why bed bugs do not transmit pathogens to vertebrates.
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Cardoso-Jaime V, Tikhe CV, Dong S, Dimopoulos G. The Role of Mosquito Hemocytes in Viral Infections. Viruses 2022; 14:v14102088. [PMID: 36298644 PMCID: PMC9608948 DOI: 10.3390/v14102088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect hemocytes are the only immune cells that can mount a humoral and cellular immune response. Despite the critical involvement of hemocytes in immune responses against bacteria, fungi, and parasites in mosquitoes, our understanding of their antiviral potential is still limited. It has been shown that hemocytes express humoral factors such as TEP1, PPO, and certain antimicrobial peptides that are known to restrict viral infections. Insect hemocytes also harbor the major immune pathways, such as JAK/STAT, TOLL, IMD, and RNAi, which are critical for the control of viral infection. Recent research has indicated a role for hemocytes in the regulation of viral infection through RNA interference and autophagy; however, the specific mechanism by which this regulation occurs remains uncharacterized. Conversely, some studies have suggested that hemocytes act as agonists of arboviral infection because they lack basal lamina and circulate throughout the whole mosquito, likely facilitating viral dissemination to other tissues such as salivary glands. In addition, hemocytes produce arbovirus agonist factors such as lectins, which enhance viral infection. Here, we summarize our current understanding of hemocytes’ involvement in viral infections.
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Zhang W, Xie M, Eleftherianos I, Mohamed A, Cao Y, Song B, Zang LS, Jia C, Bian J, Keyhani NO, Xia Y. An odorant binding protein is involved in counteracting detection-avoidance and Toll-pathway innate immunity. J Adv Res 2022:S2090-1232(22)00194-1. [PMID: 36064181 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2022.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are a class of small molecular weight soluble proteins that exist as expanded gene families in all insects, acting as ligand carriers mediating olfaction and other physiological processes. During fungal infection, a subset of insect OBPs were shown to be differentially expressed. OBJECTIVES We tested whether the altered expression of insect OBPs during pathogenic infection plays a role in behavioral or immune interactions between insect hosts and their pathogens. METHODS A wide range of techniques including RNAi-directed knockdown, heterologous protein expression, electrophysiological/behavioral analyses, transcriptomics, gut microbiome analyses, coupled with tandem mass spectrometry ion monitoring, were used to characterize the function of a locust OBP in host behavioral and immune responses. RESULTS The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae produces the volatile compound phenylethyl alcohol (PEA) that causes behavioral avoidance in locusts. This is mediated by the locust odorant binding protein 11 (LmOBP11). Expression of LmOBP11 is induced by M. anisopliae infection and PEA treatment. LmOBP11 participates in insect detection of the fungal-produced PEA and avoidance of PEA-contaminated food, but the upregulation of LmOBP11 upon M. anisopliae infection negatively affects the insect immune responses to ultimately benefit successful mycosis by the pathogen. RNAi knockdown of LmOBP11 increases the production of antimicrobial peptides and enhances locust resistance to M. anisopliae infection, while reducing host antennal electrophysiological responses to PEA and locust avoidance of PEA treated food. Also, transcriptomic and gut microbiome analyses reveal microbiome dysbiosis and changes in host genes involved in behavior and immunity. These results are consistent with the elevated expression of LmOBP11 leading to enhanced volatile detection and suppression of immune responses. CONCLUSION These findings suggest a crosstalk between olfaction and immunity, indicating manipulation of host OBPs as a novel target exploited by fungal pathogens to alter immune activation and thus promote the successful infection of the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Huaxi District, Guiyang 550025, China.
| | - Mushan Xie
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Ioannis Eleftherianos
- Infection and Innate Immunity Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Amr Mohamed
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Yueqing Cao
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Baoan Song
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Huaxi District, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Lian-Sheng Zang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Huaxi District, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Chen Jia
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Huaxi District, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Jing Bian
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Nemat O Keyhani
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
| | - Yuxian Xia
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China.
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Bruno D, Montali A, Gariboldi M, Wrońska AK, Kaczmarek A, Mohamed A, Tian L, Casartelli M, Tettamanti G. Morphofunctional characterization of hemocytes in black soldier fly larvae. INSECT SCIENCE 2022. [PMID: 36065570 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In insects, the cell-mediated immune response involves an active role of hemocytes in phagocytosis, nodulation, and encapsulation. Although these processes have been well documented in multiple species belonging to different insect orders, information concerning the immune response, particularly the hemocyte types and their specific function in the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens, is still limited. This is a serious gap in knowledge given the high economic relevance of H. illucens larvae in waste management strategies and considering that the saprophagous feeding habits of this dipteran species have likely shaped its immune system to efficiently respond to infections. The present study represents the first detailed characterization of black soldier fly hemocytes and provides new insights into the cell-mediated immune response of this insect. In particular, in addition to prohemocytes, we identified five hemocyte types that mount the immune response in the larva, and analyzed their behavior, role, and morphofunctional changes in response to bacterial infection and injection of chromatographic beads. Our results demonstrate that the circulating phagocytes in black soldier fly larvae are plasmatocytes. These cells also take part in nodulation and encapsulation with granulocytes and lamellocyte-like cells, developing a starting core for nodule/capsule formation to remove/encapsulate large bacterial aggregates/pathogens from the hemolymph, respectively. These processes are supported by the release of melanin precursors from crystal cells and likely by mobilizing nutrient reserves in newly circulating adipohemocytes, which could thus trophically support other hemocytes during the immune response. Finally, the regulation of the cell-mediated immune response by eicosanoids was investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Bruno
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Aurora Montali
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Marzia Gariboldi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Anna Katarzyna Wrońska
- Host Parasites Molecular Interaction Research Unit, Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agata Kaczmarek
- Host Parasites Molecular Interaction Research Unit, Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Amr Mohamed
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ling Tian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Guangdong Provincial Sericulture and Mulberry Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Morena Casartelli
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-environmental Technology (BAT Center), University of Napoli Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Gianluca Tettamanti
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-environmental Technology (BAT Center), University of Napoli Federico II, Portici, Italy
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Polenogova OV, Noskov YA, Artemchenko AS, Zhangissina S, Klementeva TN, Yaroslavtseva ON, Khodyrev VP, Kruykova NA, Glupov VV. Citrobacter freundii, a natural associate of the Colorado potato beetle, increases larval susceptibility to Bacillus thuringiensis. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:3823-3835. [PMID: 35238478 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We assume that certain representatives of gut microflora mediate immune changes during dysbiosis, accelerating septicemia caused by Bacillus thuringiensis. RESULTS Co-introduction of Citrobacter freundii with Bacillus thuringiensis var. tenebrionis (morrisoni) (Bt) led to an increase in Colorado potato beetle (CPB) larval mortality to 69.0% (1.3-5×) and a synergistic effect was observed from day 1 to day 6. Ultrathin sections of the CPB midgut showed autophagosome formation and partial destruction of gut microvilli under the influence of Bt, which was accompanied by pronounced hypersecretion of the endoplasmic reticulum with apocrine vesicle formation and oncotic changes in cells under the action of C. freundii. The destruction of gut tissues was accompanied by suppression of detoxification processes under the action of the bacteria and a decrease (2.8-3.5×) in the concentration of lipid oxidation products during Bt infection. In the first hours post combined treatment, we registered a slight increase in the total hemocyte count (THC) especially a predomination (1.4×) of immune-competent plasmatocytes. Oral administration of symbiotic and entomopathogenic bacteria to the CPB larvae significantly decreased the THC (1.4×) after 24 h and increased (1.1-1.5×) the detoxifying enzymes level in the lymph. These changes are likely to be associated with the destruction of hemocytes and the need to remove the toxic products of reactive oxygen species. CONCLUSION The obtained results indicate that feeding of C. freundii and B. thuringiensis to the CPB larvae is accompanied by tissue changes that significantly affect the cellular and humoral immunity of the insect, increasing its susceptibility to Bt. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga V Polenogova
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Yury A Noskov
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
- National Research Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Anna S Artemchenko
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Saule Zhangissina
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Tatyana N Klementeva
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Olga N Yaroslavtseva
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Viktor P Khodyrev
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Natalya A Kruykova
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Viktor V Glupov
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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Montali A, Berini F, Saviane A, Cappellozza S, Marinelli F, Tettamanti G. A Bombyx mori Infection Model for Screening Antibiotics against Staphylococcus epidermidis. INSECTS 2022; 13:748. [PMID: 36005373 PMCID: PMC9409246 DOI: 10.3390/insects13080748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The increasing number of microorganisms that are resistant to antibiotics is prompting the development of new antimicrobial compounds and strategies to fight bacterial infections. The use of insects to screen and test new drugs is increasingly considered a promising tool to accelerate the discovery phase and limit the use of mammalians. In this study, we used for the first time the silkworm, Bombyx mori, as an in vivo infection model to test the efficacy of three glycopeptide antibiotics (GPAs), against the nosocomial pathogen Staphylococcus epidermidis. To reproduce the human physiological temperature, the bacterial infection was performed at 37 °C and it was monitored over time by evaluating the survival rate of the larvae, as well the response of immunological markers (i.e., activity of hemocytes, activation of the prophenoloxidase system, and lysozyme activity). All the three GPAs tested (vancomycin, teicoplanin, and dalbavancin) were effective in curing infected larvae, significantly reducing their mortality and blocking the activation of the immune system. These results corroborate the use of this silkworm infection model for the in vivo studies of antimicrobial molecules active against staphylococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurora Montali
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Francesca Berini
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Alessio Saviane
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), 35143 Padova, Italy
| | - Silvia Cappellozza
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), 35143 Padova, Italy
| | - Flavia Marinelli
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Gianluca Tettamanti
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology (BAT Center), University of Napoli Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
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Hultmark D, Andó I. Hematopoietic plasticity mapped in Drosophila and other insects. eLife 2022; 11:78906. [PMID: 35920811 PMCID: PMC9348853 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemocytes, similar to vertebrate blood cells, play important roles in insect development and immunity, but it is not well understood how they perform their tasks. New technology, in particular single-cell transcriptomic analysis in combination with Drosophila genetics, may now change this picture. This review aims to make sense of recently published data, focusing on Drosophila melanogaster and comparing to data from other drosophilids, the malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae, and the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Basically, the new data support the presence of a few major classes of hemocytes: (1) a highly heterogenous and plastic class of professional phagocytes with many functions, called plasmatocytes in Drosophila and granular cells in other insects. (2) A conserved class of cells that control melanin deposition around parasites and wounds, called crystal cells in D. melanogaster, and oenocytoids in other insects. (3) A new class of cells, the primocytes, so far only identified in D. melanogaster. They are related to cells of the so-called posterior signaling center of the larval hematopoietic organ, which controls the hematopoiesis of other hemocytes. (4) Different kinds of specialized cells, like the lamellocytes in D. melanogaster, for the encapsulation of parasites. These cells undergo rapid evolution, and the homology relationships between such cells in different insects are uncertain. Lists of genes expressed in the different hemocyte classes now provide a solid ground for further investigation of function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Hultmark
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - István Andó
- Biological Research Centre, Institute of Genetics, Innate Immunity Group, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Szeged, Hungary
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von Bredow YM, Müller A, Popp PF, Iliasov D, von Bredow CR. Characterization and mode of action analysis of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larva-derived hemocytes. INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 29:1071-1095. [PMID: 34687131 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
With the growing importance of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) for both sustainable food production and waste management as well as for science, a great demand of understanding its immune system arises. Here, we present the first description of the circulating larval hemocytes with special emphasis on uptake of microorganisms and distinguishing hemocyte types. With histological, zymographic, and cytometric methods and with a set of hemocyte binding lectins and antibodies, the hemocytes of H. illucens are identified as plasmatocytes, crystal cells, and putative prohemocytes. Total hemocyte counts (THC) are determined, and methods for THC determination are compared. Approximately 1100 hemocytes per microliter hemolymph are present in naive animals, while hemocyte density decreases dramatically shortly after wounding, indicating a role of hemocytes in response to wounding (and immune response in general). The determination of the relative abundance of each hemocyte type (differential hemocyte count, DHC) revealed that plasmatocytes are highly abundant, whereas prohemocytes and crystal cells make up only a small percentage of the circulating cells. Plasmatocytes are not only the most abundant but also the professional phagocytes in H. illucens. They rapidly engulf and take up bacteria both in vivo and in vitro, indicating a very potent cellular defense against invading pathogens. Larger bioparticles such as yeasts are also removed from circulation by phagocytosis, but slower than bacteria. This is the first analysis of the potent cellular immune response in the black soldier fly, and a first toolbox that helps to identify hemocyte (types) is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvette M von Bredow
- Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Institut für Allgemeine Zoologie und Entwicklungsbiologie, Zelluläre Erkennungs- und Abwehrprozesse, Gießen, Germany
| | - Ariane Müller
- Technische Universität Dresden, Fakultät Biologie, Institut für Zoologie, Dresden, Germany
| | - Philipp F Popp
- Technische Universität Dresden, Fakultät Biologie, Institut für Mikrobiologie, Dresden, Germany
- Present address: Philipp F. Popp, Institute for Biology-Bacterial Physiology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Denis Iliasov
- Technische Universität Dresden, Fakultät Biologie, Institut für Mikrobiologie, Dresden, Germany
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Wang Q, Yin M, Yuan C, Liu X, Jiang H, Wang M, Zou Z, Hu Z. The Micrococcus luteus infection activates a novel melanization pathway of cSP10, cSP4, and cSP8 in Helicoverpa armigera. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 147:103775. [PMID: 35504546 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Melanization is a key immune response mediated by serine protease (SP) cascade in insects. Multiple SP pathways exist in different species and it is unclear how conserved these cascades are. The cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera is a major worldwide agricultural pest. We reported a conserved melanization pathway in this species, which consists of SP41, cSP1, and cSP6. In this study, we attempted to identify an insect pathogen that elicits the cascade and test whether or not there are other SP cascades in H. armigera. After Micrococcus luteus, Enterobacter cloacae, Beauveria bassiana, or Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus were injected into larvae, pathogen-induced hemolymph samples were collected for in vitro biochemical assays, which failed to detect proSP41 or procSP1 activation. In contrast, we found that procSP4, a protein proposed to participate in H. armigera melanization, was activated in M. luteus infected hemolymph. We further revealed that cSP8 was a prophenoloxidase (PPO) activating protease downstream of cSP4, and cSP4 was activated by cSP10. The pathway of cSP10-cSP4-cSP8 activated PPO in vitro. Efficiently cleaved procSPH11 and procSPH50 by cSP8 substantially enhanced phenoloxidase activity, suggesting they work together as a cofactor for cSP8 mediated PPO activation. Hemolymph from larvae challenged with M. luteus or its peptidoglycan effectively activated procSP10. Collectively, these results revealed a new PPO activation cascade specifically triggered by the bacterium. In addition, we found that the PPO activation cascades in H. armigera and Manduca sexta are conserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianran Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Mengyi Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Chuanfei Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xijia Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Haobo Jiang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Manli Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Zhihong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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Chen K, Wang X, Wei X, Chen J, Wei Y, Jiang H, Lu Z, Feng C. Nitric Oxide-Induced Calcineurin A Mediates Antimicrobial Peptide Production Through the IMD Pathway. Front Immunol 2022; 13:905419. [PMID: 35663981 PMCID: PMC9157438 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.905419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) at a high concentration is an effector to kill pathogens during insect immune responses, it also functions as a second messenger at a low concentration to regulate antimicrobial peptide (AMP) production in insects. Drosophila calcineurin subunit CanA1 is a ubiquitous serine/threonine protein phosphatase involved in NO-induced AMP production. However, it is unclear how NO regulates AMP expression. In this study, we used a lepidopteran pest Ostrinia furnacalis and Drosophila S2 cells to investigate how NO signaling affects the AMP production. Bacterial infections upregulated the transcription of nitric oxide synthase 1/2 (NOS1/2), CanA and AMP genes and increased NO concentration in larval hemolymph. Inhibition of NOS or CanA activity reduced the survival of bacteria-infected O. furnacalis. NO donor increased NO level in plasma and upregulated the production of CanA and certain AMPs. In S2 cells, killed Escherichia coli induced NOS transcription and boosted NO production, whereas knockdown of NOS blocked the NO level increase caused by E. coli. As in O. furnacalis larvae, supplementation of the NO donor increased NO level in the culture medium and AMP expression in S2 cells. Suppression of the key pathway genes showed that the IMD (but not Toll) pathway was involved in the upregulation of CecropinA1, Defensin, Diptericin, and Drosomycin by killed E. coli. Knockdown of NOS also reduced the expression of CanA1 and AMPs induced by E. coli, indicative of a role of NO in the AMP expression. Furthermore, CanA1 RNA interference and inhibition of its phosphatase activity significantly reduced NO-induced AMP expression, and knockdown of IMD suppressed NO-induced AMP expression. Together, these results suggest that NO-induced AMP production is mediated by CanA1 via the IMD pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangkang Chen
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xinyan Wang
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xiangyi Wei
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jiaqian Chen
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Youheng Wei
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Haobo Jiang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Zhiqiang Lu
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Congjing Feng
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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Host–Pathogen Interactions between Metarhizium spp. and Locusts. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8060602. [PMID: 35736085 PMCID: PMC9224550 DOI: 10.3390/jof8060602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The progress in research on the interactions between Metarhizium spp. and locusts has improved our understanding of the interactions between fungal infection and host immunity. A general network of immune responses has been constructed, and the pathways regulating fungal pathogenicity have also been explored in depth. However, there have been no systematic surveys of interaction between Metarhizium spp. and locusts. The pathogenesis of Metarhizium comprises conidial attachment, germination, appressorial formation, and colonization in the body cavity of the host locusts. Meanwhile, the locust resists fungal infection through humoral and cellular immunity. Here, we summarize the crucial pathways that regulate the pathogenesis of Metarhizium and host immune defense. Conidial hydrophobicity is mainly affected by the contents of hydrophobins and chitin. Appressorial formation is regulated by the pathways of MAPKs, cAMP/PKA, and Ca2+/calmodulin. Lipid droplets degradation and secreted enzymes contributed to fungal penetration. The humoral response of locust is coordinated by the Toll pathway and the ecdysone. The regulatory mechanism of hemocyte differentiation and migration is elusive. In addition, behavioral fever and density-dependent population immunity have an impact on the resistance of hosts against fungal infection. This review depicts a prospect to help us understand host–pathogen interactions and provides a foundation for the engineering of entomopathogenic fungi and the discovery of insecticidal targets to control insect pests.
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Zhang R, Zhang XF, Chi Y, Xu Y, Chen H, Guo Z, Wei T. Nucleoprotein of a Rice Rhabdovirus Serves as the Effector to Attenuate Hemolymph Melanization and Facilitate Viral Persistent Propagation in its Leafhopper Vector. Front Immunol 2022; 13:904244. [PMID: 35655780 PMCID: PMC9152149 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.904244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanization in the hemolymph of arthropods is a conserved defense strategy against infection by invading pathogens. Numerous plant viruses are persistently transmitted by insect vectors, and must overcome hemolymph melanization. Here, we determine that the plant rhabdovirus rice stripe mosaic virus (RSMV) has evolved to evade the antiviral melanization response in the hemolymph in leafhopepr vectors. After virions enter vector hemolymph cells, viral nucleoprotein N is initially synthesized and directly interacts with prophenoloxidase (PPO), a core component of the melanization pathway and this process strongly activates the expression of PPO. Furthermore, such interaction could effectively inhibit the proteolytic cleavage of the zymogen PPO to active phenoloxidase (PO), finally suppressing hemolymph melanization. The knockdown of PPO expression or treatment with the PO inhibitor also suppresses hemolymph melanization and causes viral excessive accumulation, finally causing a high insect mortality rate. Consistent with this function, microinjection of N into leafhopper vectors attenuates melanization and promotes viral infection. These findings demonstrate that RSMV N serves as the effector to attenuate hemolymph melanization and facilitate viral persistent propagation in its insect vector. Our findings provide the insights in the understanding of ongoing arms race of insect immunity defense and viral counter-defense.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Taiyun Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Plant Virology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
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Kaczmarek A, Wrońska AK, Kazek M, Boguś MI. Octanoic Acid-An Insecticidal Metabolite of Conidiobolus coronatus (Entomopthorales) That Affects Two Majors Antifungal Protection Systems in Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera): Cuticular Lipids and Hemocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23095204. [PMID: 35563592 PMCID: PMC9101785 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The food flavour additive octanoic acid (C8:0) is also a metabolite of the entomopathogenic fungus Conidiobolus coronatus, which efficiently infects and rapidly kills Galleria mellonella. GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of C8:0 in insecticidal fraction FR3 extracted from C. coronatus filtrate. Topical administration of C8:0 had a dose-dependent effect on survival rates of larvae but not on pupation or adult eclosion times of the survivors. Topically applied C8:0 was more toxic to adults than larvae (LD100 for adults 18.33 ± 2.49 vs. 33.56 ± 2.57 µg/mg of body mass for larvae). The administration of C8:0 on the cuticle of larvae and adults, in amounts corresponding to their LD50 and LD100 doses, had a considerable impact on the two main defense systems engaged in protecting against pathogens, causing serious changes in the developmental-stage-specific profiles of free fatty acids (FFAs) covering the cuticle of larvae and adults and damaging larval hemocytes. In vitro cultures of G. mellonella hemocytes, either directly treated with C8:0 or taken from C8:0 treated larvae, revealed deformation of hemocytes, disordered networking, late apoptosis, and necrosis, as well as caspase 1-9 activation and elevation of 8-OHdG level. C8:0 was also confirmed to have a cytotoxic effect on the SF-9 insect cell line, as determined by WST-1 and LDH tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Kaczmarek
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 00-875 Warsaw, Poland; (A.K.W.); (M.K.); (M.I.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Anna Katarzyna Wrońska
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 00-875 Warsaw, Poland; (A.K.W.); (M.K.); (M.I.B.)
| | - Michalina Kazek
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 00-875 Warsaw, Poland; (A.K.W.); (M.K.); (M.I.B.)
| | - Mieczysława Irena Boguś
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 00-875 Warsaw, Poland; (A.K.W.); (M.K.); (M.I.B.)
- Biomibo, 04-872 Warsaw, Poland
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47
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Feng M, Swevers L, Sun J. Hemocyte Clusters Defined by scRNA-Seq in Bombyx mori: In Silico Analysis of Predicted Marker Genes and Implications for Potential Functional Roles. Front Immunol 2022; 13:852702. [PMID: 35281044 PMCID: PMC8914287 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.852702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the hemolymph, insect hemocytes constitute a heterogeneous population of macrophage-like cells that play important roles in innate immunity, homeostasis and development. Classification of hemocytes in different subtypes by size, morphology and biochemical or immunological markers has been difficult and only in Drosophila extensive genetic analysis allowed the construction of a coherent picture of hemocyte differentiation from pro-hemocytes to granulocytes, crystal cells and plasmatocytes. However, the advent of high-throughput single cell technologies, such as single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), is bound to have a high impact on the study of hemocytes subtypes and their phenotypes in other insects for which a sophisticated genetic toolbox is not available. Instead of averaging gene expression across all cells as occurs in bulk-RNA-seq, scRNA-seq allows high-throughput and specific visualization of the differentiation status of individual cells. With scRNA-seq, interesting cell types can be identified in heterogeneous populations and direct analysis of rare cell types is possible. Next to its ability to profile the transcriptomes of individual cells in tissue samples, scRNA-seq can be used to propose marker genes that are characteristic of different hemocyte subtypes and predict their functions. In this perspective, the identities of the different marker genes that were identified by scRNA-seq analysis to define 13 distinct cell clusters of hemocytes in larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, are discussed in detail. The analysis confirms the broad division of hemocytes in granulocytes, plasmatocytes, oenocytoids and perhaps spherulocytes but also reveals considerable complexity at the molecular level and highly specialized functions. In addition, predicted hemocyte marker genes in Bombyx generally show only limited convergence with the genes that are considered characteristic for hemocyte subtypes in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Aghia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece
| | - Jingchen Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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48
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Cheung YP, Park S, Pagtalunan J, Maringer K. The antiviral role of NF-κB-mediated immune responses and their antagonism by viruses in insects. J Gen Virol 2022; 103. [PMID: 35510990 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The antiviral role of innate immune responses mediated by the NF-κB family of transcription factors is well established in vertebrates but was for a long time less clear in insects. Insects encode two canonical NF-κB pathways, the Toll and Imd ('immunodeficiency') pathways, which are best characterised for their role in antibacterial and antifungal defence. An increasing body of evidence has also implicated NF-κB-mediated innate immunity in antiviral responses against some, but not all, viruses. Specific pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and molecular events leading to NF-κB activation by viral pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) have been elucidated for a number of viruses and insect species. Particularly interesting are recent findings indicating that the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway detects viral RNA to activate NF-κB-regulated gene expression. We summarise the literature on virus-NF-κB pathway interactions across the class Insecta, with a focus on the dipterans Drosophila melanogaster and Aedes aegypti. We discuss potential reasons for differences observed between different virus-host combinations, and highlight similarities and differences between cGAS-STING signalling in insects versus vertebrates. Finally, we summarise the increasing number of known molecular mechanisms by which viruses antagonise NF-κB responses, which suggest that NF-κB-mediated immunity exerts strong evolutionary pressures on viruses. These developments in our understanding of insect antiviral immunity have relevance to the large number of insect species that impact on humans through their transmission of human, livestock and plant diseases, exploitation as biotechnology platforms, and role as parasites, pollinators, livestock and pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin P Cheung
- The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Sohyun Park
- The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Justine Pagtalunan
- The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Kevin Maringer
- The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK
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49
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Wu H, Tan M, Li Y, Zheng L, Xu J, Jiang D. The immunotoxicity of Cd exposure to gypsy moth larvae: An integrated analysis of cellular immunity and humoral immunity. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 235:113434. [PMID: 35338967 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metal exposure-triggered growth retardation and physiology disorder in phytophagous insects have been widely understood, but only a few studies have investigated its immunomodulatory effects on herbivorous insects. Here, the innate immunity of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) larvae under Cd stress was evaluated by integrating cellular and humoral immunity, and the immunomodulation mechanism of Cd stress was further understood by the proteomics analysis of larval hemolymph. Our results showed that the total hemocyte count, as well as phagocytic, encapsulation and bacteriostatic activity, of hemolymph in gypsy moth larvae exposed to Cd stress was significantly lower than that in un-treated larvae. Further proteomic analysis revealed that Cd exposure may reduce the total hemocyte count in larval hemolymph by inducing endoplasmic reticulum pathway-mediated hemocyte apoptosis, thereby causing the collapse of cellular immunity in gypsy moth larvae. In addition, the transcriptional level of signal transduction genes (IMD, Toll, Relish, JAK and STAT) and antimicrobial peptide genes (cecropin and lebocin), as well as the protein abundance of pattern recognition receptors (PGRP and GNBP3) in the Toll, IMD and JAK/STAT signaling pathways was significantly decreased in Cd-treated larvae, clearly implying an immunosuppresive effect of Cd stress on pathogen recognition, signal transduction and effector synthesis of humoral immunity in gypsy moth larvae. Taken together, these results suggest that Cd exposure decreases both cellular immunity and humoral immunity of gypsy moth larvae, and provides a new entry point for systematically and comprehensively unraveling the heavy metal pollutants-caused immunotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongfei Wu
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Mingtao Tan
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Yaning Li
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Lin Zheng
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Jinsheng Xu
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Dun Jiang
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China.
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50
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Lazzaro BP, Tate AT. Balancing sensitivity, risk, and immunopathology in immune regulation. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 50:100874. [PMID: 35051619 PMCID: PMC9133098 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2022.100874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Activation of an immune response is energetically costly and excessive immune system activity can result in immunopathology, yet a slow or insufficient immune response carries the risk of pathogen establishment with consequent pathology arising from the infection. Mathematical theory and empirical data demonstrate that hosts balance the costs of immunity against the risk of infection by closely regulating immunological dynamics. An optimal immune system is rapidly and robustly deployed against a true infectious threat and rapidly deactivated once the threat has been controlled. Genetic variation in the sensitivity of an immune system, as well as in the activation and shutdown kinetics of host immune responses, can contribute to the evolution of pathogen virulence and host tolerance of infection. Improved understanding of the adaptive forces that operate on immune regulatory dynamics will clarify fundamental principles governing the evolution and maintenance of innate immune systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian P Lazzaro
- Departments of Entomology and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Cornell Institute of Host-Microbe Interactions and Disease, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Ann T Tate
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
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