Browne, Niall and Heelan, Michelle and Kavanagh, Kevin (2013) An analysis of the structural and functional similarities of insect hemocytes and mammalian phagocytes. Virulence, 4 (4). pp. 1-7. ISSN 2150-5594

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Abstract

The insect immune response demonstrates a number of structural and functional similarities to the innate immune system of mammals. As a result of these conserved features insects have become popular choices for evaluating the virulence of microbial pathogens or for assessing the efficacy of antimicrobial agents and give results which are comparable to those that can be obtained using mammals. Analysis of the cellular component of the insect and mammalian immune systems demonstrates many similarities. Insect hemocytes recognize pathogens and phagocytose material in a similar manner to neutrophils. The killing of ingested microbes is achieved in both cell types by the production of superoxide and by the release of enzymes in the process of degranulation. Insect hemocytes and mammalian neutrophils are sensitive to the same inhibitors. This review highlights the strong similarities between the phagocytic cells of both groups of animals and demonstrates the potential benefits of using selected insects as in vivo screening systems.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Galleria; hemocytes; insect; invertebrate immunity; immunity; mini-model; neutrophil; vertebrate immunity;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > Biology
Item ID:	4815
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.4161/viru.25906
Depositing User:	Dr. Kevin Kavanagh
Date Deposited:	11 Mar 2014 16:34
Journal or Publication Title:	Virulence
Publisher:	Landes Bioscience
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	Publisher
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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