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Matrix Metalloproteinases Control Hemocyte Trafficking in Innate Immunity of Manduca sexta
Author(s) -
Vishnuvardhan Smitha,
Boe Jordan Paul,
Greenlee Kendra J
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.818.3
Subject(s) - innate immune system , manduca sexta , matrix metalloproteinase , biology , manduca , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , extracellular matrix , phagocytosis , immune system , biochemistry , insect , ecology
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of conserved, proteolytic enzymes. MMPs can degrade most extracellular matrix proteins. As such; they are key enzymes in remodeling processes, such as molting and metamorphosis. They are also known to be upregulated in many disease states, where they may cause tissue damage. Yet their presence may be beneficial, as their inhibition may result in worsening of symptoms or increased mortality. We tested the hypothesis that MMPs play a role in innate immunity in the tobacco hornworm caterpillar, Manduca sexta . We infected 5th instar caterpillars with E. coli DH5α in the presence or absence of the MMP inhibitor, GM6001. Larvae infected with E. coli DH5α had significantly more circulating hemocytes when compared to the larvae which received an MMP inhibitor, suggesting that MMPs may be important for hemocyte recruitment from the fat body. The majority of the circulating hemocytes were granulocytes, a cell type that phagocytoses forein bodies, including pathogens. In addition, we used flow cytometry to assess phagocytic ability. Hemocytes in the presence of the MMP inhibitor were less able to phagocytose sephadex beads, supporting the hypothesis that this MMP may contribute to cellular innate immune function. This work was funded in part by NDSU, NSFEPSCoR #EPS‐00447679, and NIH 2P20RR015566.