Prostaglandin E2 modulates the expression of antimicrobial peptides in the fat body and midgut of Anopheles albimanus.
Prostaglandins (PGs) participate in the regulation of vertebrate and in at least six insect orders' immune responses. We identified PGE2 in midgut, fat body, Malpighian tubules, and ovarioles of Anopheles albimanus (Aa) mosquitoes. Our data indicate that PGE2 synthesis in cultured midguts responds to the presence of two bacterial species, Micrococcus luteus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The production of mRNA coding for antimicrobial peptides Aa-Attacin, Aa-Cecropin, and Aa-Gambicin was observed in cultured fat bodies and midguts. The production of these messengers was reduced in the presence of dexamethasone, and this effect was reversed by arachidonic acid. Adding PGE2 to cultures resulted in increased Aa-cecropin mRNA and decreased Aa-attacin and Aa-gambicin mRNAs.
García Gil de Muñoz
F L
FL
Experimental Pathology Department, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico City, México.
Martínez-Barnetche
J
J
Lanz-Mendoza
H
H
Rodríguez
M H
MH
Hernández-Hernández
F C
FC
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D054807:Cecropins / Q000378:metabolism; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D003907:Dexamethasone; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism*; D005216:Fat Body / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007052:Ibuprofen; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008317:Malpighian Tubules / Q000378:metabolism*; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism
D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D054807:Cecropins; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D019476:Insect Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C039711:attacin antibacterial protein, insect; D003907:Dexamethasone; D010741:Phospholipases A; D015232:Dinoprostone; D007052:Ibuprofen