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Abbas MN, Kausar S, Asma B, Ran W, Li J, Lin Z, Li T, Cui H. MicroRNAs reshape the immunity of insects in response to bacterial infection. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1176966. [PMID: 37153604 PMCID: PMC10161253 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1176966] [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: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The interaction between bacteria and insects can significantly impact a wide range of different areas because bacteria and insects are widely distributed around the globe. The bacterial-insect interactions have the potential to directly affect human health since insects are vectors for disease transmission, and their interactions can also have economic consequences. In addition, they have been linked to high mortality rates in economically important insects, resulting in substantial economic losses. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are types of non-coding RNAs involved in regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally. The length of miRNAs ranges from 19 to 22 nucleotides. MiRNAs, in addition to their ability to exhibit dynamic expression patterns, have a diverse range of targets. This enables them to govern various physiological activities in insects, like innate immune responses. Increasing evidence suggests that miRNAs have a crucial biological role in bacterial infection by influencing immune responses and other mechanisms for resistance. This review focuses on some of the most recent and exciting discoveries made in recent years, including the correlation between the dysregulation of miRNA expression in the context of bacterial infection and the progression of the infection. Furthermore, it describes how they profoundly impact the immune responses of the host by targeting the Toll, IMD, and JNK signaling pathways. It also emphasizes the biological function of miRNAs in regulating immune responses in insects. Finally, it also discusses current knowledge gaps about the function of miRNAs in insect immunity, in addition to areas that require more research in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Nadeem Abbas
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Saima Kausar
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bibi Asma
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenhao Ran
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Gastrointestinal Vascular Surgery, The Chongqing Ninth People’s Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Jingui Li
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Gastrointestinal Vascular Surgery, The Chongqing Ninth People’s Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Zini Lin
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Gastrointestinal Vascular Surgery, The Chongqing Ninth People’s Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Tiejun Li
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Gastrointestinal Vascular Surgery, The Chongqing Ninth People’s Hospital, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Tiejun Li, ; Hongjuan Cui,
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Tiejun Li, ; Hongjuan Cui,
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Liu Q, Kausar S, Tang Y, Huang W, Tang B, Abbas MN, Dai L. The Emerging Role of STING in Insect Innate Immune Responses and Pathogen Evasion Strategies. Front Immunol 2022; 13:874605. [PMID: 35619707 PMCID: PMC9127187 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.874605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence reveals that the stimulator of the interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway in insects and other animal cells helps them to sense and effectively respond to infection caused by numerous types of microbial pathogens. Recent studies have shown that genomic material from microbial pathogens induces the STING signaling pathway for the production of immune factors to attenuate infection. In contrast, microbial pathogens are equipped with various factors that assist them in evading the STING signaling cascade. Here we discuss the STING signaling pathway different animal groups compared to human and then focus on its crucial biological roles and application in the microbial infection of insects. In addition, we examine the negative and positive modulators of the STING signaling cascade. Finally, we describe the microbial pathogen strategies to evade this signaling cascade for successful invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuning Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, School of Wetlands, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Saima Kausar
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yingyu Tang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, School of Wetlands, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng, China.,Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Wuren Huang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Boping Tang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, School of Wetlands, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng, China
| | - Muhammad Nadeem Abbas
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lishang Dai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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Luo J, Wang Z, Tang F, Feng K. Immune Defense Mechanism of Reticulitermes chinensis Snyder (Blattodea: Isoptera) against Serratia marcescens Bizio. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13030226. [PMID: 35323524 PMCID: PMC8954430 DOI: 10.3390/insects13030226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Reticulitermes chinensis Snyder is the most important pest in China. Serratia marcescens (SM1) can infect insects. In our lab, we found that SM1 can kill R. chinensis. However, the mechanisms underlying the immune defense of R. chinensis against SM1 is unknown. Therefore, understanding the interaction between R. chinensis and SM1 is important for termite control. In this study, immune-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in R. chinensis were identified and analyzed after SM1 infection. The results increased our understanding of immune responses in pests. This study was helpful for the development of immune suppressive agents in R. chinensis management. Abstract Reticulitermes chinensis Snyder is an important pest species in China. Serratia marcescens Bizio (SM1) is a potent biological bacterium. In our lab, we found that SM1 can kill R. chinensis. To date, the interaction between R. chinensis and SM1 has not been studied. Here, we explored immune responses of R. chinensis against SM1 using transcriptome sequencing. To elucidate immune-related genes, we identified 126,153 unigenes from R. chinensis. In total, 178 immune-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that many cellular responses were enriched in the top 20 terms. Then, we systematically analyzed several cellular immune pathways involved in the response of R. chinensis to SM1, including phagocytosis, autophagy, and endocytosis pathways. Furthermore, the expression profiles of the cellular immune-related genes were assessed using quantitative reverse-transcription PCR, and the expression levels of the selected genes were upregulated. Further results revealed SM1-mediated activation of humoral immune responses genes, including Toll, IMD, and melanization pathways, which suggested the involvement of humoral immune responses in the defense against SM1. This research elucidated the mechanisms underlying the immune defense of R. chinensis against SM1, providing a solid theoretical basis for exploiting new immune suppressive agents to control R. chinensis. Moreover, this study will facilitate the better control of R. chinensis using SM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Luo
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; (J.L.); (Z.W.); (K.F.)
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; (J.L.); (Z.W.); (K.F.)
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Fang Tang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; (J.L.); (Z.W.); (K.F.)
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-138-1396-6269
| | - Kai Feng
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; (J.L.); (Z.W.); (K.F.)
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
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