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Ramírez-Sotelo U, García-Carnero LC, Martínez-Álvarez JA, Gómez-Gaviria M, Mora-Montes HM. An ELISA-based method for Galleria mellonella apolipophorin-III quantification. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17117. [PMID: 38500532 PMCID: PMC10946395 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Mammalian models, such as murine, are used widely in pathophysiological studies because they have a high degree of similarity in body temperature, metabolism, and immune response with humans. However, non-vertebrate animal models have emerged as alternative models to study the host-pathogen interaction with minimal ethical concerns. Galleria mellonella is an alternative model that has proved useful in studying the interaction of the host with either bacteria or fungi, performing drug testing, and assessing the immunological response to different microorganisms. The G. mellonella immune response includes cellular and humoral components with structural and functional similarities to the immune effectors found in higher vertebrates, such as humans. An important humoral effector stimulated during infections is apolipophorin III (apoLp-III), an opsonin characterized by its lipid and carbohydrate-binding properties that participate in lipid transport, as well as immunomodulatory activity. Despite some parameters, such as the measurement of phenoloxidase activity, melanin production, hemocytes counting, and expression of antimicrobial peptides genes are already used to assess the G. mellonella immune response to pathogens with different virulence degrees, the apoLp-III quantification remains to be a parameter to assess the immune response in this invertebrate. Here, we propose an immunological tool based on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that allows apoLp-III quantification in the hemolymph of larvae challenged with pathogenic agents. We tested the system with hemolymph coming from larvae infected with Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix globosa, and Sporothrix brasiliensis. The results revealed significantly higher concentrations of apoLp-III when each microbial species was inoculated, in comparison with untouched larvae, or inoculated with phosphate-buffered saline. We also demonstrated that the apoLp-III levels correlated with the strains' virulence, which was already reported. To our knowledge, this is one of the first attempts to quantify apoLp-III, using a quick and easy-to-use serological technique.
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Johnpaul A, Arumugam M. Plasma β-1,3 Glucan Binding Protein Mediated Opsono-Phagocytosis by Hemocytes In Vitro of Marine Mussel Perna viridis. DNA Cell Biol 2023; 42:608-616. [PMID: 37695843 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2023.0221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
We have shown in the past decade, for the first time in a bivalve mollusc, detection, isolation, and purification of β-1,3 glucan binding protein (β-GBP) in the plasma of the marine mussel Perna viridis and demonstrated its role in a nonself-induced activation of plasma prophenoloxidase system. In this study, we present evidence for its ability to function as an opsonin during phagocytosis of trypsinized yeast cells by the hemocytes of P. viridis. The in vitro pretreatment of target cells (trypsinized yeast cells) with β-GBP enhanced the phagocytic response of hemocytes. Such β-GBP-mediated enhanced phagocytic response appeared to be dose dependent. This opsono-phagocytic response could be inhibited by the presence of laminarin (a polymer of β-1,3 glucans), glucose, as well as polyclonal antibodies raised against β-GBP. These observations clearly indicate that the plasma β-GBP can possibly recognize and bind to β-1,3 glucans on the surface of targets and facilitate hemocyte recognition processes possibly by forming a bridge between the hemocytes and the target, consequently leading to opsono-phagocytosis. These observations together with our earlier annotations indicate the multifunctional potential of plasma β-GBP in the marine mussel P. viridis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Johnpaul
- Department of Zoology, St. Joseph's University, Bangalore, India
| | - M Arumugam
- Laboratory of Pathobiology, Department of Zoology, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, India
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Tawidian P, Rhodes VL, Michel K. Mosquito-fungus interactions and antifungal immunity. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 111:103182. [PMID: 31265904 PMCID: PMC6639037 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.103182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The mosquito immune system has evolved in the presence of continuous encounters with fungi that range from food to foes. Herein, we review the field of mosquito-fungal interactions, providing an overview of current knowledge and topics of interest. Mosquitoes encounter fungi in their aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Mosquito larvae are exposed to fungi on plant detritus, within the water column, and at the water surface. Adult mosquitoes are exposed to fungi during indoor and outdoor resting, blood and sugar feeding, mating, and oviposition. Fungi enter the mosquito body through different routes, including ingestion and through active or passive breaches in the cuticle. Oral uptake of fungi can be beneficial to mosquitoes, as yeasts hold nutritional value and support larval development. However, ingestion of or surface contact with fungal entomopathogens leads to colonization of the mosquito with often lethal consequences to the host. The mosquito immune system recognizes fungi and mounts cellular and humoral immune responses in the hemocoel, and possibly epithelial immune responses in the gut. These responses are regulated transcriptionally through multiple signal transduction pathways. Proteolytic protease cascades provide additional regulation of antifungal immunity. Together, these immune responses provide an efficient barrier to fungal infections, which need to be overcome by entomopathogens. Therefore, fungi constitute an excellent tool to examine the molecular underpinnings of mosquito immunity and to identify novel antifungal peptides. In addition, recent advances in mycobiome analyses can now be used to examine the contribution of fungi to various mosquito traits, including vector competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Tawidian
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, 267 Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - V L Rhodes
- Missouri Southern State University, Biology Department, Reynolds Hall 220, 3950 E. Newman Rd., Joplin, MO, 64801-1595, USA
| | - K Michel
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, 267 Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA.
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Yi Y, Xu H, Li M, Wu G. RNA-seq profiles of putative genes involved in specific immune priming in Bombyx mori haemocytes. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2019; 74:103921. [PMID: 31207402 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2019.103921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The immune system of many invertebrates, including insects, has been shown to comprise memory, or specific immune priming. However, knowledge of the molecular mechanisms especially the candidate immune-related genes mediated the specificity of the immune priming are still very scarce and fragmentary. We therefore used two closely related Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria (Photorhabdus luminescens TT01 and P. luminescens H06) as the priming agents and employed Illumina/Solexa platform to investigate the transcriptional changes of the haemocytes of Bombyx mori larvae after priming. RESULTS In total, 23.0 Gbp of sequence data and 153,331,564 reads were generated, representing 10,496 genes. Approximately 89% of the genes or sequenced reads could be aligned to the silkworm reference genome. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of PBS-vs-TT01 (up-regulated expression of TT01 relative to PBS), PBS-vs-H06 (up-regulated expression of H06 relative to PBS) and TT01-vs-H06 (up-regulated expression of H06 relative to TT01) were 707, 159 and 461 respectively. In addition, expression patterns of 25 selected DEGs derived from quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were consistent with their transcript abundance changes obtained by transcriptomic analyses. The DEGs are mainly related to pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), signaling molecular, effector molecules, phagosome and spliceosome, indicating that they have participated in the regulation of the specific immune priming in the B. mori larvae. CONCLUSIONS The transcriptome profiling data sets from this study will provide valuable resources to better understand the molecular and biological mechanisms regulating the specificity of invertebrates' immune priming. All these will shed light on controlling insect pests or preventing epidemic of infectious diseases in economic invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhong Yi
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Zhongshan 528458, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Jingzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jingzhou 434000, China
| | - Mei Li
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Zhongshan Institute, Zhongshan 528402, China.
| | - Gongqing Wu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Zhongshan 528458, China.
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Immune Response of Galleria mellonella against Human Fungal Pathogens. J Fungi (Basel) 2018; 5:jof5010003. [PMID: 30587801 PMCID: PMC6463112 DOI: 10.3390/jof5010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In many aspects, the immune response against pathogens in insects is similar to the innate immunity in mammals. This has caused a strong interest in the scientific community for the use of this model in research of host⁻pathogen interactions. In recent years, the use of Galleria mellonella larvae, an insect belonging to the Lepidoptera order, has emerged as an excellent model to study the virulence of human pathogens. It is a model that offers many advantages; for example, it is easy to handle and establish in every laboratory, the larvae have a low cost, and they tolerate a wide range of temperatures, including human temperature 37 °C. The immune response of G. mellonella is innate and is divided into a cellular component (hemocytes) and humoral component (antimicrobial peptides, lytic enzymes, and peptides and melanin) that work together against different intruders. It has been shown that the immune response of this insect has a great specificity and has the ability to distinguish between different classes of microorganisms. In this review, we delve into the different components of the innate immune response of Galleria mellonella, and how these components manifest in the infection of fungal pathogens including Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Histoplasma capsulatum.
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Rao XJ, Zhan MY, Pan YM, Liu S, Yang PJ, Yang LL, Yu XQ. Immune functions of insect βGRPs and their potential application. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 83:80-88. [PMID: 29229443 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2017.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Insects rely completely on the innate immune system to sense the foreign bodies and to mount the immune responses. Germ-line encoded pattern recognition receptors play crucial roles in recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns. Among them, β-1,3-glucan recognition proteins (βGRPs) and gram-negative bacteria-binding proteins (GNBPs) belong to the same pattern recognition receptor family, which can recognize β-1,3-glucans. Typical insect βGRPs are comprised of a tandem carbohydrate-binding module in the N-terminal and a glucanase-like domain in the C-terminal. The former can recognize triple-helical β-1,3-glucans, whereas the latter, which normally lacks the enzymatic activity, can recruit adapter proteins to initiate the protease cascade. According to studies, insect βGRPs possess at least three types of functions. Firstly, some βGRPs cooperate with peptidoglycan recognition proteins to recognize the lysine-type peptidoglycans upstream of the Toll pathway. Secondly, some directly recognize fungal β-1,3-glucans to activate the Toll pathway and melanization. Thirdly, some form the 'attack complexes' with other immune effectors to promote the antifungal defenses. The current review will focus on the discovery of insect βGRPs, functions of some well-characterized members, structure-function studies and their potential application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Jun Rao
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, China.
| | - Ming-Yue Zhan
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, China
| | - Yue-Min Pan
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, China
| | - Su Liu
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, China
| | - Pei-Jin Yang
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, China
| | - Li-Ling Yang
- School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, China
| | - Xiao-Qiang Yu
- Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
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Ye BH, Zhang YB, Shu JP, Wu H, Wang HJ. RNA-sequencing analysis of fungi-induced transcripts from the bamboo wireworm Melanotus cribricollis (Coleoptera: Elateridae) larvae. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0191187. [PMID: 29338057 PMCID: PMC5770045 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Larvae of Melanotus cribricollis, feed on bamboo shoots and roots, causing serious damage to bamboo in Southern China. However, there is currently no effective control measure to limit the population of this underground pest. Previously, a new entomopathogenic fungal strain isolated from M. cribricollis larvae cadavers named Metarhizium pingshaense WP08 showed high pathogenic efficacy indoors, indicated that the fungus could be used as a bio-control measure. So far, the genetic backgrounds of both M. cribricollis and M. pingshaense WP08 were blank. Here, we analyzed the whole transcriptome of M. cribricollis larvae, infected with M. pingshaense WP08 or not, using high-throughput next generation sequencing technology. In addition, the transcriptome sequencing of M. pingshaense WP08 was also performed for data separation of those two non-model species. The reliability of the RNA-Seq data was also validated through qRT-PCR experiment. The de novo assembly, functional annotation, sequence comparison of four insect species, and analysis of DEGs, enriched pathways, GO terms and immune related candidate genes were operated. The results indicated that, multiple defense mechanisms of M. cribricollis larvae are initiated to protect against the more serious negative effects caused by fungal infection. To our knowledge, this was the first report of transcriptome analysis of Melanotus spp. infected with a fungus, and it could provide insights to further explore insect-fungi interaction mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bi-huan Ye
- Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ya-bo Zhang
- Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jin-ping Shu
- Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou, China
- * E-mail: (JPS); (HW)
| | - Hong Wu
- Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou, China
- * E-mail: (JPS); (HW)
| | - Hao-jie Wang
- Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou, China
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Shafeeq T, UlAbdin Z, Lee KY. Induction of stress- and immune-associated genes in the Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella against envenomation by the ectoparasitoid Bracon hebetor. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 96:e21405. [PMID: 28730731 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Envenomation is an important process in parasitism by parasitic wasps; it suppresses the immune and development of host insects. However, the molecular mechanisms of host responses to envenomation are not yet clear. This study aimed to determine the transcription-level responses of the Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella against envenomation of the ectoparasitoid Bracon hebetor. Quantitative real-time reverse-transcription PCR was used to determine the transcriptional changes of 13 selected genes, which are associated with development, metabolism, stress, or immunity, in the feeding and wandering fifth instar larvae over a 4-day period after envenomation. The effects of envenomation on the feeding-stage larvae were compared with those of starvation in the transcriptional levels of the 13 genes. Most selected genes were altered in their expression by either envenomation or starvation. In particular, a heat shock protein, hsp70, was highly upregulated in envenomated larvae in both the feeding and wandering stages as well as in starved larvae. Further, some genes were upregulated by envenomation in a stage-specific manner. For example, hsp25 was upregulated after envenomation in the feeding larvae, but hsp90 and an immune-associated gene, hemolin, were upregulated in the wandering larvae. However, both envenomation and starvation resulted in the downregulation of genes associated with development and metabolism. Taken together, P. interpunctella upregulated stress- and immune-responsive genes, but downregulated genes associated with development and metabolism after envenomation. This study provides important information for understanding the molecular mechanisms of host responses to parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahir Shafeeq
- Division of Applied Biosciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Plant Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Zain UlAbdin
- Department of Entomology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Kyeong-Yeoll Lee
- Division of Applied Biosciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Plant Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Sustainable Agriculture Research Center, Kyungpook National University, Gunwi, Republic of Korea
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9
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Complete genome sequence of bacteriophage P2559Y, a marine phage that infects Croceibacter atlanticus HTCC2559. Mar Genomics 2016; 29:35-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Revised: 07/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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10
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García-Rodas R, Trevijano-Contador N, Román E, Janbon G, Moyrand F, Pla J, Casadevall A, Zaragoza O. Role of Cln1 during melanization of Cryptococcus neoformans. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:798. [PMID: 26322026 PMCID: PMC4532930 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that has several well-described virulence determinants. A polysaccharide capsule and the ability to produce melanin are among the most important. Melanization occurs both in vitro, in the presence of catecholamine and indole compounds, and in vivo during the infection. Despite the importance of melanin production for cryptococcal virulence, the component and mechanisms involved in its synthesis have not been fully elucidated. In this work, we describe the role of a G1/S cyclin (Cln1) in the melanization process. Cln1 has evolved specifically with proteins present only in other basidiomycetes. We found that Cln1 is required for the cell wall stability and production of melanin in C. neoformans. Absence of melanization correlated with a defect in the expression of the LAC1 gene. The relation between cell cycle elements and melanization was confirmed by the effect of drugs that cause cell cycle arrest at a specific phase, such as rapamycin. The cln1 mutant was consistently more susceptible to oxidative damage in a medium that induces melanization. Our results strongly suggest a novel and hitherto unrecognized role for C. neoformans Cln1 in the expression of virulence traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío García-Rodas
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Nuria Trevijano-Contador
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Elvira Román
- Department of Microbiology, Pharmacy Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid Madrid, Spain
| | - Guilhem Janbon
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Institut Pasteur Paris, France
| | - Frédérique Moyrand
- Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, Institut Pasteur Paris, France
| | - Jesús Pla
- Department of Microbiology, Pharmacy Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid Madrid, Spain
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore MD, USA
| | - Oscar Zaragoza
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III Majadahonda, Spain
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Zheng X, Xia Y. β-1,3-Glucan recognition protein (βGRP) is essential for resistance against fungal pathogen and opportunistic pathogenic gut bacteria in Locusta migratoria manilensis. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 36:602-609. [PMID: 22062247 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2011.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2011] [Revised: 10/17/2011] [Accepted: 10/21/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Pattern recognition proteins, which form part of the innate immune system, initiate host defense reactions in response to pathogen surface molecules. The pattern recognition protein β-1,3-glucan recognition protein (βGRP) binds to β-1,3-glucan on fungal surfaces to mediate melanization via the prophenoloxidase (PPO)-activating cascade. In this study, cDNA encoding a 53-kDa βGRP (LmβGRP) was cloned from Locusta migratoria manilensis. LmβGRP mRNA shown to be constitutively expressed specifically in hemocytes and was highly upregulated following fungal infection. LmβGRP-silenced (LmβGRP-RNAi) mutant locusts exhibited significantly reduced survival rate following fungal infection (Metarhizium acridum) compared with the wild-type. Furthermore, LmβGRP-RNAi mutants exhibited abnormally loose stools indicative of a gut defect. 16S rRNA gene analysis detected the opportunistic pathogenic bacterium, Vibrio vulnificus in LmβGRP mutant but not wild-type locusts, suggesting changes in the composition of gut bacterial communities. These results indicate that LmβGRP is essential to gut immunity in L. migratoria manilensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Zheng
- Genetic Engineering Research Center, School of Bioengineering, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticide, The Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Expression Regulation, Chongqing University Chongqing 400044, China
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Abstract
Parasitic diseases cause important losses in public and veterinary health worldwide. Novel drugs, more reliable diagnostic techniques and vaccine candidates are urgently needed. Due to the complexity of parasites and the intricate relationship with their hosts, development of successful tools to fight parasites has been very limited to date. The growing information on individual parasite genomes is now allowing the use of a broader range of potential strategies to gain deeper insights into the host-parasite relationship and has increased the possibilities to develop molecular-based tools in the field of parasitology. Nevertheless, functional studies of respective genes are still scarce. The RNA interference phenomenon resulting in the regulation of protein expression through the specific degradation of defined mRNAs, and more specifically the possibility of artificially induce it, has shown to be a powerful tool for the investigation of proteins function in many organisms. Recent advances in the design and delivery of targeting molecules allow efficient and highly specific gene silencing in different types of parasites, pointing out this technology as a powerful tool for the identification of novel vaccine candidates or drug targets at the high-throughput level in the near future, and could enable researchers to functionally annotate parasite genomes. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview on the current advances and pitfalls in gene silencing mechanisms, techniques, applications and prospects in animal parasites.
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Abstract
Throughout their lifetime, mosquitoes are exposed to pathogens during feeding, through breaks in their cuticle and following pathogen-driven cuticular degradation. To resist infection, mosquitoes mount innate cellular and humoral immune responses that are elicited within minutes of exposure and can lead to pathogen death via three broadly defined mechanisms: lysis, melanization and hemocyte-mediated phagocytosis. This chapter reviews our current understanding of the mosquito immune system, with an emphasis on the physical barriers that prevent pathogens from entering the body, the organs and tissues that regulate immune responses and the mechanistic and molecular bases of immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julián F Hillyer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
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14
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Kim CH, Shin YP, Noh MY, Jo YH, Han YS, Seong YS, Lee IH. An insect multiligand recognition protein functions as an opsonin for the phagocytosis of microorganisms. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:25243-50. [PMID: 20519517 PMCID: PMC2919087 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.134940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2010] [Revised: 05/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We characterize a novel pathogen recognition protein obtained from the lepidopteran Galleria mellonella. This protein recognizes Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, and Candida albicans via specific binding to lipopolysaccharides, lipoteichoic acid, and beta-1,3-glucan, respectively. As a multiligand receptor capable of coping with a broad variety of invading pathogens, it is constitutively produced in the fat body, midgut, and integument but not in the hemocytes and is secreted into the hemolymph. The protein was confirmed to be relevant to cellular immune response and to further function as an opsonin that promotes the uptake of invading microorganisms into hemocytes. Our data reveal that the mechanism by which a multiligand receptor recognizes microorganisms contributes substantially to their phagocytosis by hemocytes. A better understanding of an opsonin with the required repertoire for detecting diverse invaders might provide us with critical insights into the mechanisms underlying insect phagocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Han Kim
- From the Department of Biotechnology, Hoseo University, Asan City, Chungnam 336-795, South Korea
| | - Yong Pyo Shin
- From the Department of Biotechnology, Hoseo University, Asan City, Chungnam 336-795, South Korea
| | - Mi Young Noh
- the Department of Agricultural Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-257, South Korea, and
| | - Yong Hun Jo
- the Department of Agricultural Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-257, South Korea, and
| | - Yeon Soo Han
- the Department of Agricultural Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-257, South Korea, and
| | - Yeon Sun Seong
- the Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, Chungnam 330-714, South Korea
| | - In Hee Lee
- From the Department of Biotechnology, Hoseo University, Asan City, Chungnam 336-795, South Korea
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15
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Garlatti V, Belloy N, Martin L, Lacroix M, Matsushita M, Endo Y, Fujita T, Fontecilla-Camps JC, Arlaud GJ, Thielens NM, Gaboriaud C. Structural insights into the innate immune recognition specificities of L- and H-ficolins. EMBO J 2007; 26:623-33. [PMID: 17215869 PMCID: PMC1783469 DOI: 10.1038/sj.emboj.7601500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2006] [Accepted: 10/31/2006] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Innate immunity relies critically upon the ability of a few pattern recognition molecules to sense molecular markers on pathogens, but little is known about these interactions at the atomic level. Human L- and H-ficolins are soluble oligomeric defence proteins with lectin-like activity, assembled from collagen fibers prolonged by fibrinogen-like recognition domains. The X-ray structures of their trimeric recognition domains, alone and in complex with various ligands, have been solved to resolutions up to 1.95 and 1.7 A, respectively. Both domains have three-lobed structures with clefts separating the distal parts of the protomers. Ca(2+) ions are found at sites homologous to those described for tachylectin 5A (TL5A), an invertebrate lectin. Outer binding sites (S1) homologous to the GlcNAc-binding pocket of TL5A are present in the ficolins but show different structures and specificities. In L-ficolin, three additional binding sites (S2-S4) surround the cleft. Together, they define an unpredicted continuous recognition surface able to sense various acetylated and neutral carbohydrate markers in the context of extended polysaccharides such as 1,3-beta-D-glucan, as found on microbial or apoptotic surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Garlatti
- Laboratoire de Cristallographie et Cristallogénèse des Protéines, Grenoble, France
| | - Nicolas Belloy
- Laboratoire de Cristallographie et Cristallogénèse des Protéines, Grenoble, France
| | - Lydie Martin
- Laboratoire de Cristallographie et Cristallogénèse des Protéines, Grenoble, France
| | - Monique Lacroix
- Laboratoire d'Enzymologie Moléculaire, Institut de Biologie Structurale Jean-Pierre Ebel, CEA; CNRS; Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France
| | - Misao Matsushita
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Glycotechnology, Tokai University, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yuichi Endo
- Department of Biochemistry, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Teizo Fujita
- Department of Biochemistry, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | | | - Gérard J Arlaud
- Laboratoire d'Enzymologie Moléculaire, Institut de Biologie Structurale Jean-Pierre Ebel, CEA; CNRS; Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France
| | - Nicole M Thielens
- Laboratoire d'Enzymologie Moléculaire, Institut de Biologie Structurale Jean-Pierre Ebel, CEA; CNRS; Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France
| | - Christine Gaboriaud
- Laboratoire de Cristallographie et Cristallogénèse des Protéines, Grenoble, France
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16
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Terenius O, Bettencourt R, Lee SY, Li W, Söderhäll K, Faye I. RNA interference of Hemolin causes depletion of phenoloxidase activity in Hyalophora cecropia. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2007; 31:571-5. [PMID: 17129606 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2006.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2006] [Revised: 09/20/2006] [Accepted: 09/30/2006] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Melanization is regulated by the prophenoloxidase cascade and functions as a response to intruding microorganisms in invertebrates. When injecting dsRNA of the lepidopteran immune protein hemolin in pupae of Hyalophora cecropia (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), we observed a significant reduction in phenoloxidase activity after 24 h, but not after 72 h. The link between hemolin and the prophenoloxidase system suggests that hemolin is a pattern recognition protein important for the triggering of the prophenoloxidase cascade in the defence against bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olle Terenius
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Toxicology, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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