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Dourado LA, Oliveira LL, Raimundo APP, Cossolin JFS, Oliveira JFD, Serrão JE. Hemocyte morphology of worker subcastes of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2023; 76:101301. [PMID: 37660416 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2023.101301] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Hemocytes are cells present in the hemolymph of insects that play a role in combating invasive pathogens, ensuring defense by the immune system in these organisms. While the types of hemocytes are well known in some insect representatives, data on these cells in Hymenoptera are limited to certain bees and wasps, with little information available for ants. Among ants, the genus Atta has environmental and economic importance, forming highly organized colonies consisting of the queen and workers, with the latter subdivided into subcastes: gardeners, waste removers, foragers, and soldiers, which are exposed to different pathogens. This study describes the morphology of hemocytes in the worker subcastes of Atta sexdens rubropilosa. Hemolymph samples from the ant were submitted to light, confocal, and scanning electron microscopy analyses. Five types of hemocytes were identified in the hemolymph of all ant subcastes, including prohemocytes, oenocytoids, spherulocytes, plasmatocytes, and granulocytes. They exhibited nuclei with a predominance of decondensed chromatin. The granulocytes were the most abundant cell type in the subcastes, followed by prohemocytes, plasmatocytes, oenocytoids, and spherulocytes. Phagocytosis assays reveal that plasmatocytes and granulocytes are the main phagocytic cells in all castes evaluated. This study fills an important gap in understanding the immune response in this ant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Aparecida Dourado
- Department of General Biology, Instituto de Bitecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | - Leandro Licursi Oliveira
- Department of General Biology, Instituto de Bitecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Pereira Raimundo
- Department of General Biology, Instituto de Bitecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | - Jamile Fernanda Silva Cossolin
- Department of General Biology, Instituto de Bitecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | | | - José Eduardo Serrão
- Department of General Biology, Instituto de Bitecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil.
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2
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Toxicity of Metarhizium flavoviride conidia virulence against Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its impact on physiological and biochemical activities. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16775. [PMID: 36202839 PMCID: PMC9537412 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20426-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect pests of agricultural crops have establish immunological tolerance against fungal infection caused by pathogens via different humoral and cellular processes. Fungal infection can be prevented by insect antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes, but there is no clear understanding of how they physiologically and biochemically interact. Our study aims to examine the antioxidant and detoxifying enzyme defense systems of the pest insect Spodoptera litura in response to infection by Metarhizium flavoviride. At 48 h following exposure to M. flavoviride, antioxidant enzyme levels were modified, and phenoloxidase and total hemocyte count were decreased significantly. The amount of detoxifying enzymes increased significantly. M. flavoviride appears to directly affect the S. litura immune system and results in decreased immunity. In a bioassay, M. flavoviride was found to be harmful to S. litura larvae in their third and fourth instar stage. M. flavoviride may be an effective tool in the control of S. litura larvae. Such entomopathogenic fungi represent cheaper, pollution free, target specific, promising alternatives to synthetic chemical tools in the for control insect pests.
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3
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Li S, Liu F, Kang Z, Li X, Lu Y, Li Q, Pang Y, Zheng F, Yin X. Cellular immune responses of the yellow peach moth, Conogethes punctiferalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), to the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae). J Invertebr Pathol 2022; 194:107826. [PMID: 36075444 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2022.107826] [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: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The yellow peach moth (YPM), Conogethes punctiferalis, is a destructive insect pest of maize in eastern China and adapts to diverse environments, especially against pathogens. In insects, innate immunity comprising both humoral and cellular defense responses, is the primary defense against invading microbial pathogens. In this study, we identified five types of circulating hemocytes from the hemolymph of YPM larvae and analyzed their alterations and functions in immune responses to the infection of Beauveria bassiana, an entomopathogenic fungus infesting many lepidopteran species. The identified hemocytes included prohemocytes, plasmatocytes, granulocytes, spherulocytes and oenocytoids. Significant decreases of total and differential hemocyte counts were recorded over time in larvae, after they were injected with B. bassiana conidia. Additionally, hemocyte-mediated phagocytosis and nodulation were initiated in the hemolymph of larvae from the B. bassiana conidia challenge. The introduction of DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow beads stained with Congo red also induced a strong encapsulation response in the larval hemolymph. Our observations unravel the occurrence of phagocytosis, nodulation and encapsulation in the hemocoel of YPM larvae to fight against the fungal infection, and offer the first insight into the YPM immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaohua Li
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
| | - Fanghua Liu
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China; College of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Zhiwei Kang
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China; College of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Xiangdong Li
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
| | - Yang Lu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
| | - Qiyun Li
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
| | - Yunshun Pang
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
| | - Fangqiang Zheng
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China.
| | - Xiangchu Yin
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China; College of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China.
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4
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Brito DV, da Silva CGN, Rêgo LCN, Carvalho-Zilse GA. Expression of methyl farnesoate epoxidase (mfe) and juvenile hormone esterase (jhe) genes and their relation to social organization in the stingless bee Melipona interrupta (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Genet Mol Biol 2021; 44:e20200367. [PMID: 34387298 PMCID: PMC8361248 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2020-0367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Social organization in highly eusocial bees relies upon two important processes: caste differentiation in female larvae, and age polyethism in adult workers. Juvenile Hormone (JH) is a key regulator of both processes. Here we investigated the expression of two genes involved in JH metabolism - mfe (biosynthesis) and jhe (degradation) - in the context of social organization in the stingless bee Melipona interrupta. We found evidence that the expression of mfe and jhe genes is related to changes in JH levels during late larval development, where caste determination occurs. Also, both mfe and jhe were upregulated when workers engage in intranidal tasks, but only jhe expression was downregulated at the transition from nursing to foraging activities. This relation is different than expected, considering recent reports of lower JH levels in foragers than nurses in the closely related species Melipona scutellaris. Our findings suggest that highly eusocial bees have different mechanisms to regulate JH and, thus, to maintain their level of social organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Vieira Brito
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Grupo de Pesquisas em Abelhas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética, Conservação e Biologia Evolutiva, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | | | - Livia Cristina Neves Rêgo
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Grupo de Pesquisas em Abelhas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética, Conservação e Biologia Evolutiva, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Gislene Almeida Carvalho-Zilse
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Grupo de Pesquisas em Abelhas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética, Conservação e Biologia Evolutiva, Manaus, AM, Brazil
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5
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10-hydroxy-2E-decenoic acid (10HDA) does not promote caste differentiation in Melipona scutellaris stingless bees. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9882. [PMID: 33972627 PMCID: PMC8110752 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89212-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In bees from genus Melipona, differential feeding is not enough to fully explain female polyphenism. In these bees, there is a hypothesis that in addition to the environmental component (food), a genetic component is also involved in caste differentiation. This mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated and may involve epigenetic and metabolic regulation. Here, we verified that the genes encoding histone deacetylases HDAC1 and HDAC4 and histone acetyltransferase KAT2A were expressed at all stages of Melipona scutellaris, with fluctuations between developmental stages and castes. In larvae, the HDAC genes showed the same profile of Juvenile Hormone titers-previous reported-whereas the HAT gene exhibited the opposite profile. We also investigated the larvae and larval food metabolomes, but we did not identify the putative queen-fate inducing compounds, geraniol and 10-hydroxy-2E-decenoic acid (10HDA). Finally, we demonstrated that the histone deacetylase inhibitor 10HDA-the major lipid component of royal jelly and hence a putative regulator of honeybee caste differentiation-was unable to promote differentiation in queens in Melipona scutellaris. Our results suggest that epigenetic and hormonal regulations may act synergistically to drive caste differentiation in Melipona and that 10HDA is not a caste-differentiation factor in Melipona scutellaris.
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Prabhuling SH, Makwana P, Pradeep ANR, Vijayan K, Mishra RK. Release of Mediator Enzyme β-Hexosaminidase and Modulated Gene Expression Accompany Hemocyte Degranulation in Response to Parasitism in the Silkworm Bombyx mori. Biochem Genet 2021; 59:997-1017. [PMID: 33616803 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-021-10046-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
In insects infections trigger hemocyte-mediated immune reactions including degranulation by exocytosis; however, involvement of mediator enzymes in degranulation process is unknown in insects. We report here that in silkworm Bombyx mori, infection by endoparasitoid Exorista bombycis and microsporidian Nosema bombycis activated granulation in granulocytes and promoted degranulation of accumulated structured granules. During degranulation the mediator lysosomal enzyme β-hexosaminidase showed increased activity and expression of β-hexosaminidase gene was enhanced. The events were confirmed in vitro after incubation of uninfected hemocytes with E. bombycis larval tissue protein. On infection, cytotoxicity marker enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was released from the hemocytes illustrating cell toxicity. Strong positive correlation (R2 = 0.71) between LDH activity and β-hexosaminidase released after the infection showed parasitic-protein-induced hemocyte damage and accompanied release of the enzymes. Expression of β-hexosaminidase gene was enhanced in early stages after infection followed by down regulation. The expression showed positive correlation (R2 = 0.705) with hexosaminidase activity pattern. B. mori hexosaminidase showed 98% amino acid similarity with that of B. mandarina showing origin from same ancestral gene; however, 45-60% varied from other lepidopterans showing diversity. The observation signifies the less known association of hexosaminidase in degranulation of hemocytes induced by parasitic infection in B. mori and its divergence in different species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shambhavi H Prabhuling
- Seribiotech Research Laboratory, CSB-Kodathi Campus, Carmelaram. P.O, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560035, India
| | - Pooja Makwana
- Seribiotech Research Laboratory, CSB-Kodathi Campus, Carmelaram. P.O, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560035, India.,Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Berhampore, West Bengal, India
| | - Appukuttan Nair R Pradeep
- Seribiotech Research Laboratory, CSB-Kodathi Campus, Carmelaram. P.O, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560035, India.
| | | | - Rakesh Kumar Mishra
- Seribiotech Research Laboratory, CSB-Kodathi Campus, Carmelaram. P.O, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560035, India
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7
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Al-Ghamdi AA, Al-Ghamdi MS, Ahmed AM, Mohamed ASA, Shaker GH, Ansari MJ, Dorrah MA, Khan KA, Ayaad TH. Immune investigation of the honeybee Apis mellifera jemenitica broods: A step toward production of a bee-derived antibiotic against the American foulbrood. Saudi J Biol Sci 2020; 28:1528-1538. [PMID: 33732036 PMCID: PMC7938142 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Keeping honeybees healthy is essential, as bees are not only important for honey production but also cross-pollination of agricultural and horticultural crops; therefore, bees have a significant economic impact worldwide. Recently, the lethal disease, the American foulbrood (AFB), caused great losses of honeybee and decline of global apiculture. Recent studies have focused on using natural insect-derived antibiotics to overcome recently emerged AFB-resistance to conventional antibiotics. In support of these studies, here we investigate the possibility of producing bee-derived anti-AFB antibiotics from an indigenous honeybee, Apis mellifera jemenitica. The immune responses of the third instar stage were first induced against the standards Micrococcus luteus and Escherichia coli compared with the indigenous Paenibacillus larvae (ksuPL5). Data indicated a strong immune response against M. luteus, E. coli and P. larvae 24 h post-P. larvae-injection as revealed by the detection of lysozyme-like, cecropin-like and prophenoloxidase (PO) activities in the plasma of P. larvae-injected third instars. Nodulation activity against injected P. larvae as early as 4 h and peaking 48 h post-P. larvae injection were observed. Potentially active anti-P. larvae immune peptide fractions purified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed significant in vivo therapeutic effects on P. larvae-infected first instars. Mass spectrophotometric analysis and Orbitrap measurements of P. larvae-injected plasma indicated the expression of PO (Mr: 80 kDa), beta-1,3-glucan-binding protein (Mr: 52 kDa) and serine protease 44 isoform X1 (Mr: 46 kDa). This suggests that one or all of these immune peptides contribute to significant survivorship of P. larvae-infected broods, and could be a valuable clue in the search for honeybee-derived anti-AFB natural therapeutic agents. Further molecular characterization and description of the functional roles of these predicted antimicrobial peptides from both broods and adult honeybee may enrich the arsenal of insect-derived antibiotics of therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad A Al-Ghamdi
- Engineer Abdullah Bugshan Chair for Bee Research, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mariam S Al-Ghamdi
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Biology, College of Science, Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ashraf M Ahmed
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
| | - Abdel Salam A Mohamed
- Engineer Abdullah Bugshan Chair for Bee Research, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
| | - Ghada H Shaker
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Mohammad Javed Ansari
- Engineer Abdullah Bugshan Chair for Bee Research, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Botany, Hindu College Moradabad (M.J.P. Rohilkhand University Bareilly), India
| | - Moataza A Dorrah
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, P.O. Box 12613, Orman, Giza, Egypt
| | - Khalid Ali Khan
- Engineer Abdullah Bugshan Chair for Bee Research, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), Unit of Bee Research and Honey Production, Biology Department, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tahany H Ayaad
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, P.O. Box 12613, Orman, Giza, Egypt
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8
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Afraze Z, Sendi JJ, Karimi-Malati A, Zibaee A. Methanolic Extract of Winter Cherry Causes Morpho-Histological and Immunological Ailments in Mulberry Pyralid Glyphodes pyloalis. Front Physiol 2020; 11:908. [PMID: 32903720 PMCID: PMC7438863 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of Withania somnifera a medicinal plant seed extract was tested against lesser mulberry pyralid, a potential pest of mulberry. The mulberry leaves were used for silk production in rural areas of northern Iran. The extract was administered orally by leaf dipping method in two lower (5%W/V) and higher (15%W/V) dosages to third instar larvae (<24 h) for biological assays and to fifth instar larvae (<24 h) for Physiological studies. The results showed formation of larvoids (Ls), larval-pupal intermediates (LPIs), pupoids (Ps) and pupal-adult intermediates (PAIs). The results showed increased larval duration by 1.7 and 2 folds in 5 and 15% treatment, respectively. Fecundity of resultant adults was decreased by 1.2 and 1.3 in 5 and 15% treatment, respectively. Except approximate digestibility (AD) and consumption index (CI) all other feeding indices showed reduction. The feeding deterrence was prominent at 15% (87%) and 5% showing 48% deterrence. Our enzymatic and non-enzymatic assessments upon treatment showed reduction in key components, except detoxifying enzymes. However, the activity of an important enzyme involved in cuticle hardening and immunity called phenoloxidase was reduced. We also investigated the histology of midgut for further analysis and found drastic changes in main cellular elements. Immunological changes following treatment was noticeable in reduced Total Hemocyte Count but surprisingly increased Differential Hemocyte Count. However, the hemocytes structure was extremely damaged. The reduced number of eggs in treated but survived adults indicated reduced ovaries, with vacuolization both in trophocytes and oocytes. The key chemical compounds showed reductions particularly at 15%. The present results are concomitant with few earlier studies on this medicinal plant and deserve further studies particularly in deriving key chemicals that alter metamorphosis similar to insect growth regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Afraze
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
| | - Jalal J Sendi
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.,Department of Silk Research, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
| | - Azadeh Karimi-Malati
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
| | - Arash Zibaee
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
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9
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Freitas FCP, Depintor TS, Agostini LT, Luna-Lucena D, Nunes FMF, Bitondi MMG, Simões ZLP, Lourenço AP. Evaluation of reference genes for gene expression analysis by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) in three stingless bee species (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini). Sci Rep 2019; 9:17692. [PMID: 31776359 PMCID: PMC6881334 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53544-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Stingless bees are generalist pollinators distributed through the pantropical region. There is growing evidence that their wild populations are experiencing substantial decline in response to habitat degradation and pesticides. Policies for conservation of endangered species will benefit from studies focusing on genetic and molecular aspects of their development and behavior. The most common method for looking at gene expression is real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction preceded by reverse transcription (RT-qPCR) of the mRNA of interest. This method requires the identification of reliable reference genes to correctly estimate fluctuations in transcript levels. To contribute to molecular studies on stingless bees, we used Frieseomelitta varia, Melipona quadrifasciata, and Scaptotrigona bipunctata species to test the expression stability of eight reference genes (act, ef1-α, gapdh, rpl32, rps5, rps18, tbp, and tbp-af) in RT-qPCR procedures in five physiological and experimental conditions (development, sex, tissues, bacteria injection, and pesticide exposure). In general, the rpl32, rps5 and rps18 ribosomal protein genes and tpb-af gene showed the highest stability, thus being identified as suitable reference genes for the three stingless bee species and defined conditions. Our results also emphasized the need to evaluate the stability of candidate genes for any designed experimental condition and stingless bee species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flávia C P Freitas
- Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.,Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Thiago S Depintor
- Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Lucas T Agostini
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Danielle Luna-Lucena
- Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Francis M F Nunes
- Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.,Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Márcia M G Bitondi
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Zilá L P Simões
- Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.,Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Anete P Lourenço
- Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. .,Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, MG, Brazil.
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10
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Hemocyte Changes During Immune Melanization in Bombyx Mori Infected with Escherichia coli. INSECTS 2019; 10:insects10090301. [PMID: 31527493 PMCID: PMC6780253 DOI: 10.3390/insects10090301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Hemolymph melanization is a conserved immune response in insects and other arthropods. However, the physiological process of the hemolymph system in the melanization response is hardly studied. Here, alterations of hemocytes in immune melanization were observed by Escherichia coli infection in Bombyx mori. Results first showed that there were cells aggregating into clusters. However, it vanished, and only part of clustered hemocytes were melanized during the period of intense immunity. The hemocyte numbers immediately decreased following an immune challenge, slowly increased to a peak, then reduced and finally returned to normalization. Granulocytes participated in cells aggregation at the early and later immune stage, while plasmatocytes were responsible for hemocytes agglomerate and melanization for the longest time, and more oenocytoids appeared at the peak stage of melanization. Moreover, hemocytes played a crucial role in resisting invasion of pathogens by agglomerate and melanization, and the circulatory system maintained higher hemocyte numbers and stronger antibacterial activity in fifth than fourth instar larvae after infection. In vitro immune melanization was most likely preferentially implemented in an independent process. These were the main characteristics reflecting the physiological process of hemolymph immune melanization, which provided an important foundation for further study of the complete mechanisms in the immunity of silkworm.
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11
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Ravaiano SV, Barbosa WF, Tomé HVV, Campos LADO, Martins GF. Acute and oral exposure to imidacloprid does not affect the number of circulating hemocytes in the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata post immune challenge. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 152:24-28. [PMID: 30497707 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2018.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In the present work, the effects of the neonicotinoid imidacloprid formulation on the total hemocyte counts (THC) and differential hemocyte counts (DHC) were investigated in foraging workers of the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata under (or not) the challenge with the bacteria Escherichia coli. The THC was not altered with the insecticide exposure and/or bacterial infection. However, the DHC of the bees changed with the imidacloprid exposure and/or bacterial infection. The number of prohemocytes (stem cells) increased in bees exposed to imidacloprid, but it did not change after the bacterial infection. The number of plasmatocytes (phagocytic cells) increased in imidacloprid-exposed and uninfected bees and decreased in infected bees regardless of the exposure to imidacloprid. On the other hand, there was a reduction of granulocytes, the most active immune cells, after imidacloprid exposure and an increase of granulocytes after the infection. Previous studies have shown that the neonicotinoids exposure can impair the immune system of bees. Our findings showed that the relative number of granulocytes declined with imidacloprid exposure, but the overall capacity of hemocyte responses in terms of total numbers after bacterial infection persisted even after the insecticide exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Veiga Ravaiano
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900 Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Wagner Faria Barbosa
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900 Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Hudson Vaner Ventura Tomé
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900 Viçosa, MG, Brazil; EAG Laboratories, 13709 Progress Boulevard no. 24, Suite S163, Alachua, FL 32615, USA
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de Morais CR, Travençolo BAN, Carvalho SM, Beletti ME, Vieira Santos VS, Campos CF, de Campos Júnior EO, Pereira BB, Carvalho Naves MP, de Rezende AAA, Spanó MA, Vieira CU, Bonetti AM. Ecotoxicological effects of the insecticide fipronil in Brazilian native stingless bees Melipona scutellaris (Apidae: Meliponini). CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 206:632-642. [PMID: 29778941 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.04.153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Melipona scutellaris Latreille, 1811 (Hymenoptera, Apidae) is a pollinator of various native and cultivated plants. Because of the expansion of agriculture and the need to ensure pest control, the use of insecticides such as fipronil (FP) has increased. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sublethal doses of FP insecticide on M. scutellaris at different time intervals (6, 12, and 24 h) after exposure, via individually analyzed behavioral biomarkers (locomotor activity, behavioral change) as well as the effect of FP on different brain structures of bees (mushroom bodies, antennal cells, and optic cells), using sub-individual cell biomarkers (heterochromatin dispersion, total nuclear and heterochromatic volume). Forager bees were collected when they were returning to the nest and were exposed to three different concentrations of FP (0.40, 0.040, and 0.0040 ng a.i/bee) by topical application. The results revealed a reduction in the mean velocity, lethargy, motor difficulty, paralysis, and hyperexcitation in all groups of bees treated with FP. A modification of the heterochromatic dispersion pattern and changes in the total volume of the nucleus and heterochromatin were also observed in the mushroom bodies (6, 12, and 24 h of exposure) and antennal lobes (6 and 12 h) of bees exposed to 0.0040 ng a.i/bee (LD50/100). FP is toxic to M. scutellaris and impairs the essential functions required for the foraging activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cássio Resende de Morais
- Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, 38900-402, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Bruno Augusto Nassif Travençolo
- Faculty of Computer Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Santa Mônica, 38400-902, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Stephan Malfitano Carvalho
- Departament of Entomology, Federal University of Lavras, PO Box 3037, 37200-000, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Emílio Beletti
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campos Umuarama, 38900-402, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Santana Vieira Santos
- Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, 38900-402, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Carlos Fernando Campos
- Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, 38900-402, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Boscolli Barbosa Pereira
- Institute of Geography, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Santa Mônica, 38400-902, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Maria Paula Carvalho Naves
- Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, 38900-402, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Mário Antônio Spanó
- Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, 38900-402, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Carlos Ueira Vieira
- Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, 38900-402, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Bonetti
- Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, 38900-402, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Ravaiano SV, Barbosa WF, Campos LA, Martins GF. Variations in circulating hemocytes are affected by age and caste in the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata. Naturwissenschaften 2018; 105:48. [DOI: 10.1007/s00114-018-1573-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Hystad EM, Salmela H, Amdam GV, Münch D. Hemocyte-mediated phagocytosis differs between honey bee (Apis mellifera) worker castes. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184108. [PMID: 28877227 PMCID: PMC5587260 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Honey bees as other insects rely on the innate immune system for protection against diseases. The innate immune system includes the circulating hemocytes (immune cells) that clear pathogens from hemolymph (blood) by phagocytosis, nodulation or encapsulation. Honey bee hemocyte numbers have been linked to hemolymph levels of vitellogenin. Vitellogenin is a multifunctional protein with immune-supportive functions identified in a range of species, including the honey bee. Hemocyte numbers can increase via mitosis, and this recruitment process can be important for immune system function and maintenance. Here, we tested if hemocyte mediated phagocytosis differs among the physiologically different honey bee worker castes (nurses, foragers and winter bees), and study possible interactions with vitellogenin and hemocyte recruitment. To this end, we adapted phagocytosis assays, which—together with confocal microscopy and flow cytometry—allow qualitative and quantitative assessment of hemocyte performance. We found that nurses are more efficient in phagocytic uptake than both foragers and winter bees. We detected vitellogenin within the hemocytes, and found that winter bees have the highest numbers of vitellogenin-positive hemocytes. Connections between phagocytosis, hemocyte-vitellogenin and mitosis were worker caste dependent. Our results demonstrate that the phagocytic performance of immune cells differs significantly between honey bee worker castes, and support increased immune competence in nurses as compared to forager bees. Our data, moreover, provides support for roles of vitellogenin in hemocyte activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Marit Hystad
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Heli Salmela
- Department of Biosciences, Centre of Excellence in Biological Interactions, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gro Vang Amdam
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Daniel Münch
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway
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15
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Cardoso-Júnior CAM, Silva RP, Borges NA, de Carvalho WJ, Walter SL, Simões ZLP, Bitondi MMG, Ueira Vieira C, Bonetti AM, Hartfelder K. Methyl farnesoate epoxidase (mfe) gene expression and juvenile hormone titers in the life cycle of a highly eusocial stingless bee, Melipona scutellaris. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 101:185-194. [PMID: 28800885 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2017.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In social insects, juvenile hormone (JH) has acquired novel functions related to caste determination and division of labor among workers, and this is best evidenced in the honey bee. In contrast to honey bees, stingless bees are a much more diverse group of highly eusocial bees, and the genus Melipona has long called special attention due to a proposed genetic mechanism of caste determination. Here, we examined methyl farnesoate epoxidase (mfe) gene expression, encoding an enzyme relevant for the final step in JH biosynthesis, and measured the hemolymph JH titers for all life cycle stages of Melipona scutellaris queens and workers. We confirmed that mfe is exclusively expressed in the corpora allata. The JH titer is high in the second larval instar, drops in the third, and rises again as the larvae enter metamorphosis. During the pupal stage, mfe expression is initialy elevated, but then gradually drops to low levels before adult emergence. No variation was, however, seen in the JH titer. In adult virgin queens, mfe expression and the JH titer are significantly elevated, possibly associated with their reproductive potential. For workers we found that JH titers are lower in foragers than in nurse bees, while mfe expression did not differ. Stingless bees are, thus, distinct from honey bee workers, suggesting that they have maintained the ancestral gonadotropic function for JH. Hence, the physiological circuitries underlying a highly eusocial life style may be variable, even within a monophyletic clade such as the corbiculate bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Antônio Mendes Cardoso-Júnior
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
| | - Renato Pereira Silva
- Departmento de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
| | - Naiara Araújo Borges
- Departmento de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
| | - Washington João de Carvalho
- Departmento de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
| | - S Leal Walter
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Sciences University of California at Davis, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Zilá Luz Paulino Simões
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirãp Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, 14040-901 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
| | - Marcia Maria Gentile Bitondi
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirãp Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, 14040-901 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
| | - Carlos Ueira Vieira
- Departmento de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
| | - Ana Maria Bonetti
- Departmento de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
| | - Klaus Hartfelder
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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16
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Cardoso-Júnior CAM, Fujimura PT, Santos-Júnior CD, Borges NA, Ueira-Vieira C, Hartfelder K, Goulart LR, Bonetti AM. Epigenetic modifications and their relation to caste and sex determination and adult division of labor in the stingless bee Melipona scutellaris. Genet Mol Biol 2017; 40:61-68. [PMID: 28257527 PMCID: PMC5409779 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2016-0242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Stingless bees of the genus Melipona, have long been considered an
enigmatic case among social insects for their mode of caste determination, where in
addition to larval food type and quantity, the genotype also has a saying, as
proposed over 50 years ago by Warwick E. Kerr. Several attempts have since tried to
test his Mendelian two-loci/two-alleles segregation hypothesis, but only recently a
single gene crucial for sex determination in bees was evidenced to be
sex-specifically spliced and also caste-specifically expressed in a
Melipona species. Since alternative splicing is frequently
associated with epigenetic marks, and the epigenetic status plays a major role in
setting the caste phenotype in the honey bee, we investigated here epigenetic
chromatin modification in the stingless bee Melipona scutellaris. We
used an ELISA-based methodology to quantify global methylation status and western
blot assays to reveal histone modifications. The results evidenced DNA
methylation/demethylation events in larvae and pupae, and significant differences in
histone methylation and phosphorylation between newly emerged adult queens and
workers. The epigenetic dynamics seen in this stingless bee species represent a new
facet in the caste determination process in Melipona bees and
suggest a possible mechanism that is likely to link a genotype component to the
larval diet and adult social behavior of these bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A M Cardoso-Júnior
- Departamento de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.,Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Tieme Fujimura
- Departamento de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Naiara Araújo Borges
- Departamento de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Carlos Ueira-Vieira
- Departamento de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Klaus Hartfelder
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz Ricardo Goulart
- Departamento de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Bonetti
- Departamento de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
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17
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Wu G, Liu Y, Ding Y, Yi Y. Ultrastructural and functional characterization of circulating hemocytes from Galleria mellonella larva: Cell types and their role in the innate immunity. Tissue Cell 2016; 48:297-304. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2016.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Revised: 05/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Khosravi R, Sendi JJ, Brayner FA, Alves LC, Feitosa APS. Hemocytes of the Rose Sawfly Arge ochropus (Gmelin) (Hymenoptera: Argidae). NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2016; 45:58-65. [PMID: 26429582 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-015-0339-9] [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: 10/31/2014] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We characterized individual morphological types of the rose sawfly, Arge ochropus (Gmelin) (Hymenoptera: Argidae), hemocytes for the first time by means of light and differential interference contrast microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Four types of hemocytes were identified in the hemolymph of larvae and pupae of A. ochropus: prohemocytes, plasmatocytes, granulocytes, and oenocytoids. Prohemocytes are the smallest type of hemocytes, rounded to ovoid cells with large nuclei. Plasmatocytes are polymorphic and variable in size. Granulocytes are oval and spherical cells variable in size, with variable number of rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and microtubules in the cytoplasm. Oenocytoids contain eccentric nucleus and cytoplasm with small mitochondria and few rough endoplasmic reticula. Differential hemocyte counts indicated that plasmatocytes are the most abundant hemocyte type during early instars while granulocytes are the most abundant hemocyte type in the last instar. The pattern of total hemocyte count changed during rose sawfly development and reached its peak in prepupae and then declined slowly in the pupal stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Khosravi
- Dept of Plant Protection, Fac of Agriculture, Univ of Guilan, Rasht,, 41635-1314, Iran
| | - J J Sendi
- Dept of Plant Protection, Fac of Agriculture, Univ of Guilan, Rasht,, 41635-1314, Iran.
| | - F A Brayner
- Centro de Pesquisa Aggeu Magalhães (CPqAM-FIOCRUZ), Lab de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami (LIKA-UFPE), Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - L C Alves
- Centro de Pesquisa Aggeu Magalhães (CPqAM-FIOCRUZ), Lab de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami (LIKA-UFPE), Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - A P S Feitosa
- Centro de Pesquisa Aggeu Magalhães (CPqAM-FIOCRUZ), Lab de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami (LIKA-UFPE), Recife, PE, Brasil
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Brito DV, Silva CGN, Hasselmann M, Viana LS, Astolfi-Filho S, Carvalho-Zilse GA. Molecular characterization of the gene feminizer in the stingless bee Melipona interrupta (Hymenoptera: Apidae) reveals association to sex and caste development. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 66:24-30. [PMID: 26393998 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2015.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Revised: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In highly eusocial insects, development of reproductive traits are regulated not only by sex determination pathway, but it also depends on caste fate. The molecular basis of both mechanisms in stingless bees and possible interaction with each other is still obscure. Here, we investigate sex determination in Melipona interrupta, focusing on characterization and expression analysis of the feminizer gene (Mi-fem), and its association to a major component of caste determination, the juvenile hormone (JH). We present evidence that Mi-fem mRNA is sex-specifically spliced in which only the female splice variant encodes the full length protein, following the same principle known for other bee species. We quantified Mi-fem expression among developmental stages, sexes and castes. Mi-fem expression varies considerably throughout development, with higher expression levels in embryos. Also, fem levels in pupae and newly emerged adults were significantly higher in queens than workers and males. Finally, we ectopically applied JH in cocoon spinning larvae, which correspond to the time window where queen/worker phenotypes diverge. We observed a significantly increase in Mi-fem expression compared to control groups. Since up to 100% of females turn into queens when treated with JH (while control groups are composed mainly of workers), we propose that fem might act to regulate queens' development. Our findings provide support for the conserved regulatory function of fem in Melipona bees and demonstrate a significant correlation between key elements of sex and caste determination pathways, opening the avenue to further investigate the molecular basis of these complex traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana V Brito
- Grupo de Pesquisas em Abelhas, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus 69080-971, AM, Brazil; Department of Livestock Population Genomics, Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart 70599, BW, Germany.
| | - Carlos Gustavo N Silva
- Centro de Apoio Multidisciplinar, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus 69077-000, AM, Brazil
| | - Martin Hasselmann
- Department of Livestock Population Genomics, Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart 70599, BW, Germany
| | - Luciana S Viana
- Grupo de Pesquisas em Abelhas, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus 69080-971, AM, Brazil
| | - Spartaco Astolfi-Filho
- Centro de Apoio Multidisciplinar, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus 69077-000, AM, Brazil
| | - Gislene A Carvalho-Zilse
- Grupo de Pesquisas em Abelhas, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus 69080-971, AM, Brazil
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Ruiz E, Moncada LI, López MC, Rivas F, Sánchez Y. Comparison of hemocytes of 5th-instar nymphs of Rhodnius prolixus (Stal) and Rhodnius robustus (Larousse 1927), before and after molting. REVISTA DE LA FACULTAD DE MEDICINA 2015. [DOI: 10.15446/revfacmed.v63n1.44901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
<p>The immune response of insects involve humoral factors and celular elements named as hemocytes. There are different reports exploting the response of hemocytes against infections but the molting effect on this response has not been explored so far. The aim of this work was to compare the hemogram: the formula and the differential counting of hemocytes in 4th and 5th instar nymphs of Rhodnius prolixus and Rhodnius robustus, 24 hours after molting. We assayed different staining methodologies including Giemsa, Alcian Blue pH 2.0, Alcian Blue pH 2.6, Gomori substrate, PAS (Schiff), Sudan Black and Papanicolau with positive controls for each one. On the Gomori staining, we observed lysosomes in the granulocytes and plasmatocytes but the differentiation was better detected using Giemsa staining. The plasmatocytes were abundant across the 4th instar nymphs of R. robustus and 5th instar nymphs of R. prolixus. The cell counting of prohemocytes was higher, the oenocitoids, spherulocytes and adipohemocytes did not reach 1%. In the two species studied, there were no statistically significant differences across plasmatocytes (p=0,05319), not even in granulocytes (p=0,5) but significant in the prohemocytes (p=0,001).</p>
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Giglio A, Brandmayr P, Pasqua T, Angelone T, Battistella S, Giulianini PG. Immune challenges trigger cellular and humoral responses in adults of Pterostichus melas italicus (Coleoptera, Carabidae). ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2015; 44:209-217. [PMID: 25656553 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2015.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Revised: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 01/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The present study focuses on the ability of Pterostichus melas italicus Dejean to mount cellular and humoral immune responses against invading pathogens. Ultrastructural analyses revealed the presence of five morphologically distinct types of hemocytes: prohemocytes, plasmatocytes, granulocytes, oenocytoids and macrophage-like cells. Differential hemocyte counts showed that plasmatocytes and granulocytes were the most abundant circulating cell types and plasmatocytes exhibited phagocytic activity following the latex bead immune challenge. Macrophage-like cells were recruited after the immune challenge to remove exhausted phagocytizing cells, apoptotic cells and melanotic capsules formed to immobilize the latex beads. Total hemocyte counts showed a significant reduction of hemocytes after latex bead treatment. Phenoloxidase (PO) assays revealed an increase of total PO in hemolymph after immune system activation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Moreover, the LPS-stimulated hemocytes showed increased protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, indicating that the cytotoxic action of nitric oxide was engaged in this antimicrobial collaborative response. These results provide a knowledge base for further studies on the sensitivity of the P. melas italicus immune system to the environmental perturbation in order to evaluate the effect of chemicals on non-target species in agroecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Giglio
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra, Università della Calabria, Via P. Bucci, I-87036 Rende, Italy.
| | - Pietro Brandmayr
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra, Università della Calabria, Via P. Bucci, I-87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Teresa Pasqua
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra, Università della Calabria, Via P. Bucci, I-87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Tommaso Angelone
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra, Università della Calabria, Via P. Bucci, I-87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Silvia Battistella
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via Giorgieri 5, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Piero G Giulianini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Via Giorgieri 5, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
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Marringa WJ, Krueger MJ, Burritt NL, Burritt JB. Honey bee hemocyte profiling by flow cytometry. PLoS One 2014; 9:e108486. [PMID: 25285798 PMCID: PMC4186811 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple stress factors in honey bees are causing loss of bee colonies worldwide. Several infectious agents of bees are believed to contribute to this problem. The mechanisms of honey bee immunity are not completely understood, in part due to limited information about the types and abundances of hemocytes that help bees resist disease. Our study utilized flow cytometry and microscopy to examine populations of hemolymph particulates in honey bees. We found bee hemolymph includes permeabilized cells, plasmatocytes, and acellular objects that resemble microparticles, listed in order of increasing abundance. The permeabilized cells and plasmatocytes showed unexpected differences with respect to properties of the plasma membrane and labeling with annexin V. Both permeabilized cells and plasmatocytes failed to show measurable mitochondrial membrane potential by flow cytometry using the JC-1 probe. Our results suggest hemolymph particulate populations are dynamic, revealing significant differences when comparing individual hive members, and when comparing colonies exposed to diverse conditions. Shifts in hemocyte populations in bees likely represent changing conditions or metabolic differences of colony members. A better understanding of hemocyte profiles may provide insight into physiological responses of honey bees to stress factors, some of which may be related to colony failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J. Marringa
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Michael J. Krueger
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Nancy L. Burritt
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - James B. Burritt
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, Wisconsin, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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de Sousa CS, Serrão JE, Bonetti AM, Amaral IMR, Kerr WE, Maranhão AQ, Ueira-Vieira C. Insights into the Melipona scutellaris (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini) fat body transcriptome. Genet Mol Biol 2013; 36:292-7. [PMID: 23885214 PMCID: PMC3715298 DOI: 10.1590/s1415-47572013000200022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2012] [Accepted: 03/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The insect fat body is a multifunctional organ analogous to the vertebrate liver. The fat body is involved in the metabolism of juvenile hormone, regulation of environmental stress, production of immunity regulator-like proteins in cells and protein storage. However, very little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved in fat body physiology in stingless bees. In this study, we analyzed the transcriptome of the fat body from the stingless bee Melipona scutellaris. In silico analysis of a set of cDNA library sequences yielded 1728 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and 997 high-quality sequences that were assembled into 29 contigs and 117 singlets. The BLAST X tool showed that 86% of the ESTs shared similarity with Apis mellifera (honeybee) genes. The M. scutellaris fat body ESTs encoded proteins with roles in numerous physiological processes, including anti-oxidation, phosphorylation, metabolism, detoxification, transmembrane transport, intracellular transport, cell proliferation, protein hydrolysis and protein synthesis. This is the first report to describe a transcriptomic analysis of specific organs of M. scutellaris. Our findings provide new insights into the physiological role of the fat body in stingless bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Soares de Sousa
- Laboratório de Genética, Instituto de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
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Giglio A, Giulianini PG. Phenoloxidase activity among developmental stages and pupal cell types of the ground beetle Carabus (Chaetocarabus) lefebvrei (Coleoptera, Carabidae). JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2013; 59:466-474. [PMID: 23384937 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2013.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2012] [Revised: 01/22/2013] [Accepted: 01/24/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
In ecological immunology is of great importance the study of the immune defense plasticity as response to a variable environment. In holometabolous insects the fitness of each developmental stage depends on the capacity to mount a response (i.e. physiological, behavioral) under environmental pressure. The immune response is a highly dynamic trait closely related to the ecology of organism and the variation in the expression of an immune system component may affect another fitness relevant trait of organism (i.e. growth, reproduction). The present research quantified immune function (total and differential number of hemocytes, phagocytosis in vivo and activity of phenoloxidase) in the pupal stage of Carabus (Chaetocarabus) lefebvrei. Moreover, the cellular and humoral immune function was compared across the larval, pupal and adult stages to evaluate the changes in immunocompetence across the developmental stages. Four types of circulating hemocytes were characterized via transmission electron microscopy in the pupal stage: prohemocytes, plasmatocytes, granulocytes and oenocytoids. The artificial non-self-challenge treatments performed in vivo have shown that plasmatocytes and granulocytes are responsible for phagocytosis. The level of active phenoloxidase increases with the degree of pigmentation of the cuticle in each stage. In C. lefebvrei, there are different strategies in term of immune response to enhance the fitness of each life stage. The results have shown that the variation in speed and specificity of immune function across the developmental stages is correlated with differences in infection risk, life expectancy and biological function of the life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Giglio
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, I-87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy.
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Manachini B, Arizza V, Parrinello D, Parrinello N. Hemocytes of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and their response to Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Bacillus thuringiensis. J Invertebr Pathol 2010; 106:360-5. [PMID: 21147119 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2010.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2010] [Revised: 11/23/2010] [Accepted: 12/04/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Originally from tropical Asia, the Red Palm Weevil (RPW Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier)) is the most dangerous and deadly pest of many palm trees, and there have been reports of its recent detection in France, Greece and Italy. At present, emphasis is on the development of integrated pest management based on biological control rather than on chemical insecticides, however the success of both systems is often insufficient. In this regard, RPW appears to be one pest that is very difficult to control. Thus investigations into the natural defences of this curculionid are advisable. RPW hemocytes, the main immunocompetent cells in the insect, are described for the first time. We identified five hemocyte cell types from the hemolymph of R. ferrugineus: plasmatocytes (~50%), granulocytes (~35%), prohemocytes (~8%), oenocytes (~4%) and spherulocytes (~3%). SEM observations were also carried out. Some aspects of RPW interaction with non-self organisms, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the entomopathogen bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), are discussed. Plasmatocytes and granulocytes were involved in nodules and capsule formation as well as in the phagocytosis of yeast. The hemocyte response of RPW larvae to sub-lethal doses of commercial products containing Bt was examined. In vivo assays were carried out and Bt in vegetative form was found in the hemolymph. After a diet containing Bt, the number of total hemocytes, mainly plasmatocytes, in the RPW larva hemolymph declined sharply (~12%) and then remained at a low level, while the number of other circulating cells was almost unchanged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Manachini
- Dipartimento di Biologia Animale G. Reverberi, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
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