Open AccessGalleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Hemocytes Release Extracellular Traps That Confer Protection Against Bacterial Infection in the Hemocoel
Author(s) -
Robin Y Chen,
B. A. Keddie
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of insect science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.551
H-Index - 49
ISSN - 1536-2442
DOI - 10.1093/jisesa/ieab092
Subject(s) - galleria mellonella , pyralidae , biology , hemolymph , microbiology and biotechnology , extracellular , lepidoptera genitalia , innate immune system , insect , neutrophil extracellular traps , bacteria , immune system , ex vivo , in vivo , botany , immunology , biochemistry , virulence , inflammation , genetics , gene
Extracellular traps (ETs) released from vertebrate and invertebrate immune cells consist of chromatin and toxic granule contents that are capable of immobilizing and killing microbes. This recently described innate immune response is not well documented in insects. The present study found that ETs were released by hemocytes of Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in vivo and ex vivo after bacterial stimulation. ET release (ETosis), hemolymph coagulation, and melanization likely contributed to the immobilization and killing of the bacteria. The injection of G. mellonella hemocyte deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the presence of bacteria increased bacterial clearance rate and prolonged insect survival. Taken together, these results indicate the presence of insect hemocyte extracellular traps (IHETs) that protect the insect against microbial infection in the hemocoel and represent the first documentation of ETs in insects in vivo.