The reproductive status determines tolerance and resistance to Mycobacterium marinum in Drosophila melanogaster

Sex and reproductive status of the host have a major impact on the immune response against infection. Our aim was to understand their impact on host tolerance or resistance in the systemic Mycobacterium marinum infection of Drosophila melanogaster. We measured host survival and bacillary load at tim...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Arch Sisquella, Marta|||0000-0002-2120-1667, Vidal Ramos, Maria|||0000-0003-2705-9873, Fuentes, Esther|||0000-0002-6151-8204, Abat, Anmaw Shite, Cardona, Pere-Joan|||0000-0001-5623-7873
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:310559
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/310559
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.1093/emph/eoad029
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Drosophila melanogaster
Immunity
Sexual dimorphism
Reproductive status
Mycobacterial infections
Mycobacterium marinum
Descripción
Sumario:Sex and reproductive status of the host have a major impact on the immune response against infection. Our aim was to understand their impact on host tolerance or resistance in the systemic Mycobacterium marinum infection of Drosophila melanogaster. We measured host survival and bacillary load at time of death, as well as expression by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction of immune genes (diptericin and drosomycin). We also assessed the impact of metabolic and hormonal regulation in the protection against infection by measuring expression of upd3, impl2 and ecR. Our data showed increased resistance in actively mating flies and in mated females, while reducing their tolerance to infection. Data suggests that Toll and immune deficiency (Imd) pathways determine tolerance and resistance, respectively, while higher basal levels of ecR favours the stimulation of the Imd pathway. A dual role has been found for upd3 expression, linked to increased/decreased mycobacterial load at the beginning and later in infection, respectively. Finally, impl2 expression has been related to increased resistance in non-actively mating males. These results allow further assessment on the differences between sexes and highlights the role of the reproductive status in D. melanogaster to face infections, demonstrating their importance to determine resistance and tolerance against M. marinum infection.