Work

The multifunctional role of IFN-γ in Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera) immunocompetent cells

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: • The treatment with IFN-γ enhanced wound healing, chemotaxis activity and impedance of hemocyte. • The reducing phagocytosis and oxidative stress were detected after INF-γ application. • The levels of Jak-2- and NF-κB-like molecules increased after INF-γ treatment. Cytokines are highly conserved between mammals and insects. The present study examines the multiple effects of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) application on the immunological defence mechanisms of Galleria mellonella larvae, invertebrates which are gaining popularity as a replacement for mammalian research models in immunological studies. G. mellonella hemolymph is known to contain an IFN-γ homolog that shares 33 % similarity with its mammalian analogue, and its level in insect hemocytes increases during exposition to entomopathogenic fungus Conidiobolus coronatus . The present research examines the impact of IFN-γ on larval development, the effectiveness of fungal infection, and the morphology and physiology of wax moth immunocompetent cells. Treatment with IFN-γ enhanced wound healing, chemotaxis activity and hemocyte impedance, while reducing hemocyte phagocytosis and oxidative stress in cultured immunocompetent cells; it also appears to increase the levels of Jak-2- and NF-κB-like molecules in hemocytes. Our findings suggest that IFN-γ demonstrated considerable similarity between mammals and humans, thus further demonstrating the evolutionary conservatism of cytokines.

Source: Cytokine

DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2024.156804

Authors: Agata Kaczmarek, Anna Katarzyna Wrońska, Justyna Sobich, Mieczysława Irena Boguś

Institutions: Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms

Subfield: Immunology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,910