1
|
Ma L, Wang H, Liu Y, Sun J, Yan X, Lu Z, Hao C, Qie X. Single von Willebrand factor C-domain protein-2 confers immune defense against bacterial infections in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 279:135241. [PMID: 39233173 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.135241] [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: 07/13/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Single-domain von Willebrand factor type C proteins (SVWCs), primarily found in arthropods, responds to infections caused by various pathogens. Three SVWCs have been identified in the silkworm and BmSVWC2 might play a crucial role in the immune system. However, the regulatory mechanism of BmSVWC2 remains largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the biochemical functions of BmSVWC2 in the immune system of B. mori comprehensively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that BmSVWC1, BmSVWC3, and BmSVWC2 were distributed in diverse groups, suggesting distinct biochemical functions. The mRNA and protein levels of BmSVWC2 increased significantly in response to bacterial infection. BmSVWC2 exhibited clear binding activity to the polysaccharide pathogen-associated molecular patterns of bacteria and fungi, enhancing bacterial clearance in vivo but not in vitro. RNA-sequencing assays of the fat body and hemocytes showed that numerous immune genes were markedly up-regulated with higher level of BmSVWC2, primarily affecting recognition, signaling, and response production of the Toll and immune deficiency (IMD) signaling pathways. This led to the production of various antimicrobial peptides and significant antibacterial activities in the hemolymph. BmSVWC2 up-regulated phagocytosis-related genes in the fat body and hemocytes, and phagocytosis assays confirmed that BmSVWC2 improved the phagocytic ability of hemocytes against bacteria. Additionally, BmSVWC2 induced the expression of nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) in the fat body, and bioassays confirmed that BmSVWC2 increased NOS activity in the fat body and hemolymph, resulting in nitric oxide accumulation. However, BmSVWC2 did not affect phenoloxidase activity, despite it caused differential expression of a few serine proteases and serine protease inhibitors. Co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry assays showed that BmSVWC2 interacted with 30 K proteins, such as 30 K protein 2, 30 K pBmHPC-19, 30 K 19G1-like, 30 K protein 8, 30 K protein 7, 30 K pBmHPC-23, and low molecular mass lipoprotein 4-like. Our study provides a comprehensive characterization of BmSVWC2 and elucidates the mechanism underlying its regulation of immune responses activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Ma
- College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, China
| | - Han Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, China
| | - Yaya Liu
- College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, China
| | - Jing Sun
- College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, China
| | - Xizhong Yan
- College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, China
| | - Zhiqiang Lu
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
| | - Chi Hao
- College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, China.
| | - Xingtao Qie
- College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wan H, Yu L, Cui X, Guo S, Mu S, Kang X. Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals the different responding mechanisms of ovary and hepatopancreas following polyI:C challenge in Macrobrachium nipponense. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2024; 52:101289. [PMID: 38986341 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2024.101289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
The ovary in mammals has developed specialized mechanisms for protection against pathogen infections; however, the understanding of the innate immune system in the ovary of crustaceans is still limited. To elucidate the ovary's defense mechanisms in response to viral challenges, we subjected oriental river prawns (Macrobrachium nipponense) to poly I:C, a double-stranded RNA analog that emulates viral dsRNA, and analyzed the ovary's transcriptome profiles. Concurrently, RNA-seq analysis was performed on the hepatopancreas, a well-recognized immune-related tissue, following poly I:C challenge to investigate the distinct response mechanisms of the ovary and hepatopancreas and to gain a comprehensive understanding of the immune responses in both tissues. The results indicate that 1368 genes are differentially expressed in the ovary, with 903 genes upregulated and 465 genes downregulated. Subsequent analysis reveals that these differentially expressed genes (DEGs) include numerous genes associated with innate immunity, such as members of the C-type lectin, fibrinogen-related protein (Frep), Toll-like receptor, and NOD-like receptor (NLR) gene families, as well as acid phosphatase, scavenger receptor, crustin, Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (Dscam), hemocyanin, and lipopolysaccharide and beta-1,3-glucan binding protein (LGBP). Furthermore, the DEGs include several genes related to ovary development, such as sox8, vitellogenin, progranulin, cyclin-dependent kinase, ecdysone receptor, frizzled, and members of the Fox gene family. In the hepatopancreas, a total of 729 DEGs were identified. Comparison of the DEGs in both tissues indicates that only 91 genes are common to both groups, highlighting significant tissue-specific responses to poly I:C stimulation. This study aims to enhance our understanding of the immune protective mechanisms employed by the ovary in response to pathogen exposure and establishes a foundation for investigating ovarian reproductive immunity in crustaceans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haifu Wan
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Hebei Innovation Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Postdoctoral Research Station of Biology, Hebei University, Baoding City, Hebei Province 071002, China
| | - Lei Yu
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Hebei Innovation Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Xiaodong Cui
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Hebei Innovation Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Shuai Guo
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Hebei Innovation Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Shumei Mu
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Hebei Innovation Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Hebei University, Baoding, China.
| | - Xianjiang Kang
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Hebei Innovation Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Hebei University, Baoding, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chen M, Huang WK, Yao Y, Wu SM, Yang YX, Liu WX, Luo G, Wei SF, Zhang H, Liu HM, Wang B. Heterologous expression of the insect SVWC peptide WHIS1 inhibits Candida albicans invasion into A549 and HeLa epithelial cells. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1358752. [PMID: 38873147 PMCID: PMC11169590 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1358752] [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: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans (C. albicans), a microbe commonly isolated from Candida vaginitis patients with vaginal tract infections, transforms from yeast to hyphae and produces many toxins, adhesins, and invasins, as well as C. albicans biofilms resistant to antifungal antibiotic treatment. Effective agents against this pathogen are urgently needed. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been used to cure inflammation and infectious diseases. In this study, we isolated whole housefly larvae insect SVWC peptide 1 (WHIS1), a novel insect single von Willebrand factor C-domain protein (SVWC) peptide from whole housefly larvae. The expression pattern of WHIS1 showed a response to the stimulation of C. albicans. In contrast to other SVWC members, which function as antiviral peptides, interferon (IFN) analogs or pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs), which are the prokaryotically expressed MdWHIS1 protein, inhibit the growth of C. albicans. Eukaryotic heterologous expression of WHIS1 inhibited C. albicans invasion into A549 and HeLa cells. The heterologous expression of WHIS1 clearly inhibited hyphal formation both extracellularly and intracellularly. Furthermore, the mechanism of WHIS1 has demonstrated that it downregulates all key hyphal formation factors (ALS1, ALS3, ALS5, ECE1, HWP1, HGC1, EFG1, and ZAP1) both extracellularly and intracellularly. These data showed that heterologously expressed WHIS1 inhibits C. albicans invasion into epithelial cells by affecting hyphal formation and adhesion factor-related gene expression. These findings provide new potential drug candidates for treating C. albicans infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming Chen
- Engineering Research Center of Health Medicine Biotechnology of Guizhou Province & School of Biology and Engineering (Modern Industry College of Health Medicine) & School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, China Ministry of Education (Guizhou Medical University), Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Wei-Kang Huang
- Engineering Research Center of Health Medicine Biotechnology of Guizhou Province & School of Biology and Engineering (Modern Industry College of Health Medicine) & School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yang Yao
- Engineering Research Center of Health Medicine Biotechnology of Guizhou Province & School of Biology and Engineering (Modern Industry College of Health Medicine) & School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Shi-Mei Wu
- Engineering Research Center of Health Medicine Biotechnology of Guizhou Province & School of Biology and Engineering (Modern Industry College of Health Medicine) & School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yong-Xin Yang
- Engineering Research Center of Health Medicine Biotechnology of Guizhou Province & School of Biology and Engineering (Modern Industry College of Health Medicine) & School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Wen-Xia Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Health Medicine Biotechnology of Guizhou Province & School of Biology and Engineering (Modern Industry College of Health Medicine) & School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- School of Basic Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Gang Luo
- School of Basic Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Shao-Feng Wei
- Engineering Research Center of Health Medicine Biotechnology of Guizhou Province & School of Biology and Engineering (Modern Industry College of Health Medicine) & School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, China Ministry of Education (Guizhou Medical University), Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Hong-Mei Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Health Medicine Biotechnology of Guizhou Province & School of Biology and Engineering (Modern Industry College of Health Medicine) & School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, China Ministry of Education (Guizhou Medical University), Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Bing Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Health Medicine Biotechnology of Guizhou Province & School of Biology and Engineering (Modern Industry College of Health Medicine) & School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, China Ministry of Education (Guizhou Medical University), Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Labropoulou V, Wang L, Magkrioti C, Smagghe G, Swevers L. Single domain von Willebrand factor type C "cytokines" and the regulation of the stress/immune response in insects. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 115:e22071. [PMID: 38288483 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22071] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The single domain von Willebrand factor type C (SVWC) appears in small secreted peptides that are arthropod-specific and are produced following environmental stress or pathogen exposure. Most research has focused on proteins with SVWC domain that are induced after virus infection and are hypothesized to function as "cytokines" to regulate the innate immune response. The expansion of SVWC genes in insect species indicates that many other functions remain to be discovered. Research in shrimp has elucidated the adaptability of Vago-like peptides in the innate immune response against bacteria, fungi and viruses after activation by Jak-STAT and/or Toll/Imd pathways in which they can act as pathogen-recognition receptors or cytokine-like signaling molecules. SVWC factors also appear in scorpion venoms and tick saliva, underlining their versatility to acquire new functions. This review discusses the discovery and function of SVWC peptides from insects to crustaceans and chelicerates and reveals the enormous gaps in knowledge that remain to be filled to understand this enigmatic group of secreted peptides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vassiliki Labropoulou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, Athens, Greece
| | - Luoluo Wang
- Red Imported Fire Ant Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Christiana Magkrioti
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, Athens, Greece
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guizhou, China
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|