1. Ascarosides and Symbiotic Bacteria of Entomopathogenic Nematodes Regulate Host Immune Response in Galleria mellonella Larvae.
- Author
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Chantab, Kanjana, Rao, Zhongchen, Zheng, Xuehong, Han, Richou, and Cao, Li
- Subjects
INSECT pheromones ,PHOTORHABDUS luminescens ,GREATER wax moth ,INSECT hosts ,HETERORHABDITIS ,INSECT nematodes - Abstract
Simple Summary: Entomopathogenic nematodes and their symbiotic bacteria are widely utilized for biological control. However, whether nematode-derived signals influence the immune response of insects remains unexplored. In this study, we provide comprehensive insight into the interactions among symbiotic bacteria, nematode pheromone ascarosides, and the G. mellonella insect host. Our findings reveal that under the induction of Photorhabdus bacteria, ascarosides enhance the host's immunity response. Specifically, they suppress the intensity of body color change and increase the expression of related-immunity gene expression. Additionally, ascarosides reduce the Photorhabdus cell load and delay G. mellonella larval mortality. These results imply that G. mellonella larvae may employ nematode pheromones to enhance insect immunity in the presence of symbiotic bacteria, thereby enhancing the resistance to invasive bacteria. Insects protect themselves through their immune systems. Entomopathogenic nematodes and their bacterial symbionts are widely used for the biocontrol of economically important pests. Ascarosides are pheromones that regulate nematode behaviors, such as aggregation, avoidance, mating, dispersal, and dauer recovery and formation. However, whether ascarosides influence the immune response of insects remains unexplored. In this study, we co-injected ascarosides and symbiotic Photorhabdus luminescens subsp. kayaii H06 bacteria derived from Heterorhabditis bacteriophora H06 into the last instar larvae of Galleria mellonella. We recorded larval mortality and analyzed the expressions of AMPs, ROS/RNS, and LPSs. Our results revealed a process in which ascarosides, acting as enhancers of the symbiotic bacteria, co-induced G. mellonella immunity by significantly increasing oxidative stress responses and secreting AMPs (gallerimycin, gloverin, and cecropin). This led to a reduction in color intensity and the symbiotic bacteria load, ultimately resulting in delayed host mortality compared to either ascarosides or symbiotic bacteria. These findings demonstrate the cross-kingdom regulation of insects and symbiotic bacteria by nematode pheromones. Furthermore, our results suggest that G. mellonella larvae may employ nematode pheromones secreted by IJs to modulate insect immunity during early infection, particularly in the presence of symbiotic bacteria, for enhancing resistance to invasive bacteria in the hemolymph. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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