Toll-deficient Drosophila is susceptible to Pythium insidiosum infection

Microbiol Immunol. 2013 Oct;57(10):732-5. doi: 10.1111/1348-0421.12082.

Abstract

There is a paucity of animal models of pythiosis, a life-threatening disease of humans and animals, the immunopathogenesis of which is poorly understood. A pythiosis model was developed by injecting Toll (Tl)-deficient Drosophila melanogaster flies with Pythium insidiosum zoospores. The infected Tl mutant flies had significantly lower survival rates (73.7%) than did control flies. This study reveals the important role of Tl pathway activation in fly immune response to pythiosis.

Keywords: Toll receptors; mini-host models; pythiosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Drosophila Proteins / deficiency
  • Drosophila Proteins / immunology*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / immunology*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / parasitology*
  • Pythium / growth & development*
  • Pythium / immunology*
  • Survival Analysis
  • Toll-Like Receptors / deficiency
  • Toll-Like Receptors / immunology*

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Tl protein, Drosophila
  • Toll-Like Receptors