Alterations of Immune Parameters on Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae Exposed to Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields.
Worldwide mobile telephone and microwave use have resulted in an increasing presence of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field radiations (ELF-EMFs) in ecosystems. ELF-EMFs have been associated with altered physiological processes that can adversely affect exposed organisms. In this study, Trichoplusia ni Hübner larvae were exposed for 24, 48, or 72 h to ELF-EMFs (60 Hz and 2.0 mT) to assess effects on immune response parameters and fertility. Trichoplusia ni life cycle and fertility were not affected by 24-h exposure. However, the number of apoptotic-like cells and cellular immune response significantly increased (P < 0.01) after 72-h exposure (2- and 1.1-fold, respectively), whereas hemolymph total protein and hemocyte cells were reduced (P < 0.01; 16 and 50%, respectively) after 48-h exposure. Hemocyte cell type analysis resulted in significantly (P < 0.01) higher granulocytes number in the unexposed (2-fold increase) and oenocytoids in the 72-h-exposed larvae (28.6-fold increase). Quantitative retrotranscription (RT-qPCR) showed that after 72-h ELF-EMF exposure, the antimicrobial peptides cecropin, lysozyme, gallerimycin, and pgrp were downregulated by 24,866.0, 2.69-, 119.1-, and 1.45-fold, respectively, whereas attacin and defensin were upregulated by 1.59- and 1.85-fold, respectively. The effect of ELF-EMFs on the T. ni larvae immune response and their potential impact on its physiology and susceptibility to pathogens are discussed. This information may provide new insight of ELF-EMFs on other pest species, as well as for the preservation of ecologically important species.
Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, 66455 (jalvali@hotmail.com; nahuimedina@hotmail.com; lacxelo@gmail.com; rgomez60@hotmail.com; juan.alcocergn@uanl.edu.mx; patricia.tamezgr@uanl.edu.mx).
Jose A
JA
Valadez-Lira
Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, 66455 (jalvali@hotmail.com; nahuimedina@hotmail.com; lacxelo@gmail.com; rgomez60@hotmail.com; juan.alcocergn@uanl.edu.mx; patricia.tamezgr@uanl.edu.mx).
Nahui O
NO
Medina-Chavez
Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, 66455 (jalvali@hotmail.com; nahuimedina@hotmail.com; lacxelo@gmail.com; rgomez60@hotmail.com; juan.alcocergn@uanl.edu.mx; patricia.tamezgr@uanl.edu.mx).
Alonso A
AA
Orozco-Flores
Departamento de Ciencias Exactas y Desarrollo Humano, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, 66455 (jose.herediarj@uanl.edu.mx; abraham.rodriguezd@uanl.edu.mx).
J Antonio
JA
Heredia-Rojas
Departamento de Ciencias Exactas y Desarrollo Humano, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, 66455 (jose.herediarj@uanl.edu.mx; abraham.rodriguezd@uanl.edu.mx).
Abraham O
AO
Rodriguez-de la Fuente
Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, 66455 (jalvali@hotmail.com; nahuimedina@hotmail.com; lacxelo@gmail.com; rgomez60@hotmail.com; juan.alcocergn@uanl.edu.mx; patricia.tamezgr@uanl.edu.mx).
Ricardo
R
Gomez-Flores
Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, 66455 (jalvali@hotmail.com; nahuimedina@hotmail.com; lacxelo@gmail.com; rgomez60@hotmail.com; juan.alcocergn@uanl.edu.mx; patricia.tamezgr@uanl.edu.mx).
Juan M
JM
Alcocer-Gonzalez
Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, 66455 (jalvali@hotmail.com; nahuimedina@hotmail.com; lacxelo@gmail.com; rgomez60@hotmail.com; juan.alcocergn@uanl.edu.mx; patricia.tamezgr@uanl.edu.mx).
Patricia
P
Tamez-Guerra
D000818:Animals; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000528:radiation effects*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000528:radiation effects*; D056724:Immunity, Humoral / Q000528:radiation effects*; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects; D007915:Lepidoptera / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male
Lepidopteran antimicrobial peptide; apoptosis; hemocyte; hemolymph; immunomodulation