Work

Synergistic host-parasitoid antimicrobial peptide interactions ensure the survival of parasitized hosts

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: during the process of parasitism, focusing on AMPs. We found that the suppression of parasitism on host AMPs diminished as the process went on and selected AMPs responded differently in parasitized hosts following bacterial challenges. We then demonstrated that the host-expressed gloverin was extremely sensitive to pathogen infection after parasitism and was vital for host survival. Furthermore, we found that parasitoid teratocytes expressed antimicrobial peptides, especially hymenopteacin, which were significantly upregulated following bacterial infection. With a broad antimicrobial spectrum, the presence of hymenopteacin in the hemolymph of parasitized hosts significantly decreased bacterial load and increased the survival of the parasitized host. Our study provides a systematic perspective on host-parasitoid immune interaction by highlighting the significance of AMPs.

Source: Virulence

DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2025.2566243