Activation of Cellular Immune Response in Insect Model Host Galleria Mellonella by Fungal α-1,3-glucan

Overview

Journal Pathog Dis

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialties Infectious Diseases
Microbiology

Date 2020 Nov 24

PMID 33232457

Citations 13

Authors

Sylwia Staczek

Agnieszka Zdybicka-Barabas

Adrian Wiater

Malgorzata Pleszczynska

Malgorzata Cytrynska

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Alpha-1,3-glucan, in addition to β-1,3-glucan, is an important polysaccharide component of fungal cell walls. It is reported for many fungal species, including human pathogenic genera: Aspergillus, Blastomyces, Coccidioides, Cryptococcus, Histoplasma and Pneumocystis, plant pathogens, e.g. Magnaporthe oryzae and entomopathogens, e.g. Metarhizium acridum. In human and plant pathogenic fungi, α-1,3-glucan is considered as a shield for the β-1,3-glucan layer preventing recognition of the pathogen by the host. However, its role in induction of immune response is not clear. In the present study, the cellular immune response of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella to Aspergillus niger α-1,3-glucan was investigated for the first time. The changes detected in the total hemocyte count (THC) and differential hemocyte count (DHC), formation of hemocyte aggregates and changes in apolipophorin III localization indicated activation of G. mellonella cellular mechanisms in response to immunization with A. niger α-1,3-glucan. Our results, which have clearly demonstrated the response of the insect immune system to this fungal cell wall component, will help in understanding the α-1,3-glucan role in immune response against fungal pathogens not only in insects but also in mammals, including humans.

Citing Articles

Innate Immunity in Insects: The Lights and Shadows of Phenoloxidase System Activation.

Zdybicka-Barabas A, Staczek S, Kunat-Budzynska M, Cytrynska M Int J Mol Sci. 2025; 26(3).

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Models for Inducing Experimental Cryptococcosis in Mice.

Castro-Lopez N, Wormley Jr F Methods Mol Biol. 2024; 2775:29-46.

PMID: 38758309 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3722-7_3.

A Falciformispora senegalensis grain model in Galleria mellonella larvae.

Ma J, Konings M, Verbon A, van de Sande W Med Mycol. 2023; 61(8).

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Immune functions of pattern recognition receptors in Lepidoptera.

Zhao L, Niu J, Feng D, Wang X, Zhang R Front Immunol. 2023; 14:1203061.

PMID: 37398667 PMC: 10312389. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1203061.

Lipids as a key element of insect defense systems.

Wronska A, Kaczmarek A, Bogus M, Kuna A Front Genet. 2023; 14:1183659.

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