Immune tolerance of vector beetle to its partner plant parasitic nematode modulated by its insect parasitic nematode

What is it about?

The mechanisms of insect tracheal immunity are not well understood. Epithelial immunity plays a critical role in insect vector defense against plant parasitic nematode. In the field, we found that the number of plant parasitic nematode and insect parasitic nematode identified in Monochamus vector beetles in is mutually exclusive. Further study revealed that toll-like receptors mediated antioxidants counteract tracheal reactive oxygen species (ROS) level of vector beetle to tolerant plant-parasitic nematode. In contrast, inactivating antioxidants of vector beetle infected by insect parasitic nematode enriches tracheal ROS level. It worked together with increased melanization level to reduce the number of plant parasitic nematode been carried. This provides valuable implications to control this devastating pin wilt disease which is sweeping Eurasian continent.

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