A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Previous encapsulation response enhances within individual protection against fungal parasite in the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor
Authors: Krams I, Daukste J, Kivleniece I, Krama T, Rantala MJ
Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL
Publication year: 2013
Journal:: Insect Science
Journal name in source: INSECT SCIENCE
Journal acronym: INSECT SCI
Number in series: 6
Volume: 20
Issue: 6
First page : 771
Last page: 777
Number of pages: 7
ISSN: 1672-9609
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7917.2012.01574.x
Abstract
Immune defenses of insects show either broad reactions or specificity and durability of induced protection against attacking parasites and pathogens. In this study, we tested whether encapsulation response against nylon monofilament increases between two attempts of activation of immune system in mealworm beetles Tenebrio molitor, and whether previous exposure to nylon monofilament may also increase protection against an entomopathogenic fungus. We found that survival of beetles subjected to immune activation by nylon implant and subsequent fungal exposure a week later was significantly higher than survival of beetles which had been subjected to fungal infection only. This result suggests that previous immune activation by the nylon implant may be considered as broad spectrum immune priming which helps to fight not only the same intruder but also other parasites.
Immune defenses of insects show either broad reactions or specificity and durability of induced protection against attacking parasites and pathogens. In this study, we tested whether encapsulation response against nylon monofilament increases between two attempts of activation of immune system in mealworm beetles Tenebrio molitor, and whether previous exposure to nylon monofilament may also increase protection against an entomopathogenic fungus. We found that survival of beetles subjected to immune activation by nylon implant and subsequent fungal exposure a week later was significantly higher than survival of beetles which had been subjected to fungal infection only. This result suggests that previous immune activation by the nylon implant may be considered as broad spectrum immune priming which helps to fight not only the same intruder but also other parasites.
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