6533b7ddfe1ef96bd1274eeb

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Modulation of immune responses of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Insecta: Coleoptera) induced by the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae (Nematoda: Rhabditida)

Mastore MVincenzo ArizzaManachini BBrivio Mf

subject

Encapsulation; Immune depression; Immune evasion; ProPO system; Rhynchophorus ferrugineus; Steinernema carpocapsae;Immune depressionEnzyme PrecursorsImmunity CellularHemocytesImmune evasionProPO systemSettore BIO/05 - ZoologiaRhynchophorus ferrugineusHost-Parasite InteractionsImmunity HumoralColeopteraRhabditidaSettore AGR/11 - Entomologia Generale E ApplicataLarvaAnimalsEncapsulationSettore BIO/06 - Anatomia Comparata E Citologiaencapsulation Immune depression Immune evasion proPO system Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Steinernema carpocapsaeSteinernema carpocapsaeCatechol Oxidase

description

Aim of this study was to investigate relationships between the red palm weevil (RPW) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) and the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae (EPN); particularly, the work was focused on the immune response of the insect host in naive larvae and after infection with the EPN. Two main immunological processes have been addressed: the activity and modulation of host prophenoloxidase-phenoloxidase (proPO) system, involved in melanization of not-self and hemocytes recognition processes responsible for not-self encapsulation. Moreover, immune depressive and immune evasive strategies of the parasite have been investigated. Our results suggest that RPW possess an efficient immune system, however in the early phase of infection, S. carpocapsae induces a strong inhibition of the host proPO system. In addition, host cell-mediated mechanisms of encapsulation, are completely avoided by the parasite, the elusive strategies of S. carpocapsae seem to be related to the structure of its body-surface, since induced alterations of the parasite cuticle resulted in the loss of its mimetic properties. S. carpocapsae before the release of its symbiotic bacteria, depress and elude RPW immune defenses, with the aim to arrange a favorable environment for its bacteria responsible of the septicemic death of the insect target.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2014-04-21
10.1111/1744-7917.12141http://hdl.handle.net/10447/100253