title: Drosophila Helical factor is an inducible protein acting as an immune-regulated cytokine in S2 cells.
abstract: The innate immunity of Drosophila melanogaster is based on cellular and humoral components. Drosophila Helical factor (Hf), is a molecule previously discovered using an in silico approach and whose expression is controlled by the immune deficiency (Imd) pathway. Here we present evidence demonstrating that Hf is an inducible protein constitutively produced by the S2 hemocyte-derived cell line. Hf expression is stimulated by bacterial extracts that specifically trigger the Imd pathway. In absence of any bacterial challenge, the recombinant form of Hf can influence the expression of the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) defensin but not drosomycin. These data suggest that in vitro Hf is an inducible and immune-regulated factor, with functions comparable to those of secreted vertebrate cytokines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Malagoli
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Accorsi
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sacchi
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Basile
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mandrioli
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pinti
authors.forename: Darrell
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Conklin
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ottaviani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology*; D017931:DNA Primers; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D017931:DNA Primers; D029721:Drosophila Proteins