Open AccessConidiobolus coronatus induces oxidative stress and autophagy response in Galleria mellonella larvae
Author(s) -
Michalina Kazek,
Agata Kaczmarek,
Anna Katarzyna Wrońska,
Mieczysława Irena Boguś
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0228407
Subject(s) - galleria mellonella , autophagy , oxidative stress , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , programmed cell death , immune system , reactive oxygen species , lipid peroxidation , oxidative phosphorylation , immunology , biochemistry , apoptosis , virulence , gene
Cell homeostasis requires the correct levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to be maintained as these regulate the proliferation and differentiation of cells, and control the immune response and inflammation. High levels of ROS can cause oxidative stress, leading to protein, lipid and DNA damage, or even cell death. Under physiological conditions, the rate of autophagy remains stable; however, it can be accelerated by a number of exogenous stimuli such as oxidative stress, starvation or hypoxia, leading to cell death. The present paper examines the effect of Conidiobolus coronatus infection on the immune response, oxidative stress processes and autophagy in the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella . Fungal infection was found to result in the disorganization of the cytoskeleton of the larval immune cells and the enhancement of oxidative defense processes. Lipid peroxidation and autophagy were also induced in the hemocytes. Our findings show that G . mellonella is an ideal model for exploring immune mechanisms.