Stress responses sculpt the insect immune system, optimizing defense in an ever-changing world.
A whole organism, network approach can help explain the adaptive purpose of stress-induced changes in immune function. In insects, mediators of the stress response (e.g. stress hormones) divert molecular resources away from immune function and towards tissues necessary for fight-or-flight behaviours. For example, molecules such as lipid transport proteins are involved in both the stress and immune responses, leading to a reduction in disease resistance when these proteins are shifted towards being part of the stress response system. Stress responses also alter immune system strategies (i.e. reconfiguration) to compensate for resource losses that occur during fight-or flight events. In addition, stress responses optimize immune function for different physiological conditions. In insects, the stress response induces a pro-inflammatory state that probably enhances early immune responses.
Dept. Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada. Electronic address: sadamo@dal.ca.
Shelley Anne
SA
Adamo
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D006728:Hormones / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D007109:Immunity; D007313:Insecta / Q000276:immunology*; D011587:Psychology, Comparative; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000276:immunology*; D014714:Vertebrates
D006728:Hormones
Adipokinetic hormone; Ecoimmunology; Gene expression; Insect; Lipid transport proteins; Octopamine