scholarly journals Risk-Induced Trait Responses and Non-consumptive Effects in Plants and Animals in Response to Their Invertebrate Herbivore and Parasite Natural Enemies

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Koprivnikar ◽  
Alicia Rochette ◽  
Mark R. Forbes
Keyword(s):  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Host Responses ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Animal Host ◽  
Invertebrate Species ◽  
Defensive Responses ◽  
Plant Herbivore ◽  
Direct Killing ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Invertebrate Herbivores

Predators kill and consume prey, but also scare living prey. Fitness of prey can be reduced by direct killing and consumption, but also by non-consumptive effects (NCEs) if prey show costly risk-induced trait responses (RITRs) to predators, which are meant to reduce predation risk. Recently, similarities between predators and parasites as natural enemies have been recognized, including their potential to cause victim RITRs and NCEs. However, plant-herbivore and animal host-parasite associations might be more comparable as victim-enemy systems in this context than either is to prey-predator systems. This is because plant herbivores and animal parasites are often invertebrate species that are typically smaller than their victims, generally cause lower lethality, and allow for further defensive responses by victims after consumption begins. Invertebrate herbivores can cause diverse RITRs in plants through various means, and animals also exhibit assorted RITRs to increased parasitism risk. This synthesis aims to broadly compare these two enemy-victim systems by highlighting the ways in which plants and animals perceive threat and respond with a range of induced victim trait responses that can provide pre-emptive defense against invertebrate enemies. We also review evidence that RITRs are costly in terms of reducing victim fitness or abundance, demonstrating how work with one victim-enemy system can inform the other with respect to the frequency and magnitude of RITRs and possible NCEs. We particularly highlight gaps in our knowledge about plant and animal host responses to their invertebrate enemies that may guide directions for future research. Comparing how potential plant and animal victims respond pre-emptively to the threat of consumption via RITRs will help to advance our understanding of natural enemy ecology and may have utility for pest and disease control.

scholarly journals Exotic plants accumulate and share herbivores yet dominate communities via rapid growth

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Warwick J. Allen ◽  
Lauren P. Waller ◽  
Barbara I. P. Barratt ◽  
Ian A. Dickie ◽  
Jason M. Tylianakis
Keyword(s):  
Plant Invasions ◽  
Exotic Plants ◽  
Apparent Competition ◽  
Indirect Interactions ◽  
Soil Biota ◽  
Exotic Plant Invasion ◽  
Plant Soil ◽  
Invasion Hypotheses ◽  
Plant Herbivore ◽  
Invertebrate Herbivores

AbstractHerbivores may facilitate or impede exotic plant invasion, depending on their direct and indirect interactions with exotic plants relative to co-occurring natives. However, previous studies investigating direct effects have mostly used pairwise native-exotic comparisons with few enemies, reached conflicting conclusions, and largely overlooked indirect interactions such as apparent competition. Here, we ask whether native and exotic plants differ in their interactions with invertebrate herbivores. We manipulate and measure plant-herbivore and plant-soil biota interactions in 160 experimental mesocosm communities to test several invasion hypotheses. We find that compared with natives, exotic plants support higher herbivore diversity and biomass, and experience larger proportional biomass reductions from herbivory, regardless of whether specialist soil biota are present. Yet, exotics consistently dominate community biomass, likely due to their fast growth rates rather than strong potential to exert apparent competition on neighbors. We conclude that polyphagous invertebrate herbivores are unlikely to play significant direct or indirect roles in mediating plant invasions, especially for fast-growing exotic plants.

scholarly journals Prospects of Using High-Throughput Proteomics to Underpin the Discovery of Animal Host–Nematode Interactions

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 825
Author(s):  
Tao Wang ◽  
Robin Gasser
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Anthelmintic Resistance ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Parasitic Nematodes ◽  
Public Health Burden ◽  
Host Parasite Interactions ◽  
Host Parasite

Parasitic nematodes impose a significant public health burden, and cause major economic losses to agriculture worldwide. Due to the widespread of anthelmintic resistance and lack of effective vaccines for most nematode species, there is an urgent need to discover novel therapeutic and vaccine targets, informed through an understanding of host–parasite interactions. Proteomics, underpinned by genomics, enables the global characterisation proteins expressed in a particular cell type, tissue and organism, and provides a key to insights at the host–parasite interface using advanced high-throughput mass spectrometry-based proteomic technologies. Here, we (i) review current mass-spectrometry-based proteomic methods, with an emphasis on a high-throughput ‘bottom-up’ approach; (ii) summarise recent progress in the proteomics of parasitic nematodes of animals, with a focus on molecules inferred to be involved in host–parasite interactions; and (iii) discuss future research directions that could enhance our knowledge and understanding of the molecular interplay between nematodes and host animals, in order to work toward new, improved methods for the treatment, diagnosis and control of nematodiases.

scholarly journals Gut Microbiota, Fusobacteria, and Colorectal Cancer

Diseases ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dervla Kelly ◽  
Liying Yang ◽  
Zhiheng Pei
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Host Responses ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Bacterial Microbiota ◽  
Promote Tumor Growth ◽  
Tumor Environment ◽  
Protective Strategies

The gut microbiota has emerged as an environmental contributor to colorectal cancer (CRC) in both animal models and human studies. It is now generally accepted that bacteria are ubiquitous colonizers of all exposed human body surfaces, including the entire alimentary tract (5). Recently, the concept that a normal bacterial microbiota is essential for the development of inflammation-induced carcinoma has emerged from studies of well-known colonic bacterial microbiota. This review explores the evidence for a role of fusobacteria, an anaerobic gram-negative bacterium that has repeatedly been detected at colorectal tumor sites in higher abundance than surrounding histologically normal tissue. Mechanistic studies provide insight on the interplay between fusobacteria, other gut microbiota, barrier functions, and host responses. Studies have shown that fusobacteria activate host inflammatory responses designed to protect against pathogens that promote tumor growth. We discuss how future research identifying the pathophysiology underlying fusobacteria colon colonization during colorectal cancer may lead to new therapeutic targets for cancer. Furthermore, disease-protective strategies suppressing tumor development by targeting the local tumor environment via bacteria represent another exciting avenue for researchers and are highlighted in this review.

scholarly journals Ecophysiology of egg rejection in hosts of avian brood parasites: new insights and perspectives

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Ruiz-Raya
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Host Responses ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Egg Rejection ◽  
Fitness Costs ◽  
Brood Parasites ◽  
Proximate Mechanisms ◽  
Proximate Factors

Abstract Egg rejection is the most effective and widespread defence used by host species to counteract the extreme fitness costs frequently imposed by obligate avian brood parasites. Yet, the proximate mechanisms underlying between- and within-individual variation in host responses remain poorly explored. Emerging evidence suggests that egg rejection is dependent on individual physiological state, and draws attention to the role of hormones as mediators of flexible antiparasitic responses. In this perspective article, I outline recent advances in our understanding of the proximate factors that mediate egg rejection. I also point out some areas where knowledge remains still lacking, especially those related to the development and maintenance of effective cognitive functions, the potential role of oxidative stress, immunological state and developmental stressors. I propose new hypotheses that stimulate future research on behavioural host responses towards brood parasitism.

scholarly journals Conservation of Non-Pest Whiteflies and Natural Enemies of the Cabbage Whitefly Aleyrodes proletella on Perennial Plants for Use in Non-Crop Habitats

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 774
Author(s):  
Sebastian Laurenz ◽  
Rainer Meyhöfer
Keyword(s):  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Conservation Biological Control ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Brassica Crops ◽  
Aleyrodes Proletella ◽  
Local Abundance ◽  
Geum Urbanum

Aleyrodes proletella causes severe economic damage to several Brassica crops. Its naturally occurring enemies often immigrate late in the season or appear in low numbers on cabbage. This field study aims to permanently increase the local abundance of A. proletella’s natural enemies by providing the non-pest whitefly Aleyrodes lonicerae as an alternative and overwintering host/prey. Therefore, the population dynamics of natural enemies on different perennial herbaceous plants pre-infested with A. lonicerae were determined at two field locations over two winter periods. Most A. lonicerae colonized (on average 166.22 puparia per m²) and overwintered (342.19 adults per m²) on wood avens Geum urbanum. Furthermore, the abundance of A. proletella main parasitoid Encarsia tricolor (28.50 parasitized puparia per m²) and spiders (12.13 per m²) was 3–74 times and 3–14 times higher, respectively, on G. urbanum compared to the other experimental plants. Conclusively, G. urbanum pre-infested with A. lonicerae permanently promoted natural enemies of A. proletella by serving as shelter, reproduction, and overwintering habitat. A potential implementation of G. urbanum in conservation biological control strategies (e.g., tailored flower strips, hedgerows) against A. proletella are discussed and suggestions for future research are given.

Host–parasite interactions in rodent nematode infections

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.R. Mahida
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Host Response ◽  
Trichinella Spiralis ◽  
Host Responses ◽  
Nippostrongylus Brasiliensis ◽  
Trichuris Muris ◽  
Epithelial Phenotype ◽  
Worm Expulsion ◽  
Genetically Manipulated ◽  
Host Parasite

AbstractIn rodents,Trichinella spiralisandNippostrongylus brasiliensisinfect the small intestine andTrichuris murisresides in the colon. The intestinal host response in these animals is characterized by changes in mucosal architecture and inflammation and is associated with worm expulsion. The requirement of T cell-mediated host response in worm expulsion has been demonstrated over many years. Subsequent studies have shown that Th2-type, but not Th1-type, responses mediate resistance to the nematodes. Investigations using neutralizing antibodies and genetically manipulated mice have characterized the contribution of individual Th2-type cytokines in not only worm expulsion, but also specific cellular changes that occur in the mucosa, such as alterations in epithelial phenotype and smooth muscle. There is also increasing appreciation of the contribution of non-bone marrow-derived cells in innate and adaptive host responses in these models.

scholarly journals Airway Inflammation and Host Responses in the Era of CFTR Modulators

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (17) ◽  
pp. 6379
Author(s):  
Karen Keown ◽  
Ryan Brown ◽  
Declan F. Doherty ◽  
Claire Houston ◽  
Michael C. McKelvey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Lung Function ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Airway Inflammation ◽  
Host Responses ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Clinical Endpoints ◽  
New Class ◽  
Cftr Modulators

The arrival of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators as a new class of treatment for cystic fibrosis (CF) in 2012 represented a pivotal advance in disease management, as these small molecules directly target the upstream underlying protein defect. Further advancements in the development and scope of these genotype-specific therapies have been transformative for an increasing number of people with CF (PWCF). Despite clear improvements in CFTR function and clinical endpoints such as lung function, body mass index (BMI), and frequency of pulmonary exacerbations, current evidence suggests that CFTR modulators do not prevent continued decline in lung function, halt disease progression, or ameliorate pathogenic organisms in those with established lung disease. Furthermore, it remains unknown whether their restorative effects extend to dysfunctional CFTR expressed in phagocytes and other immune cells, which could modulate airway inflammation. In this review, we explore the effects of CFTR modulators on airway inflammation, infection, and their influence on the impaired pulmonary host defences associated with CF lung disease. We also consider the role of inflammation-directed therapies in light of the widespread clinical use of CFTR modulators and identify key areas for future research.

scholarly journals Bacteriophage Migration via Nematode Vectors: Host-Parasite-Consumer Interactions in Laboratory Microcosms

2006 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 1974-1979 ◽  
Author(s):  
John J. Dennehy ◽  
Nicholas A. Friedenberg ◽  
Yul W. Yang ◽  
Paul E. Turner
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Growth Dynamics ◽  
Model System ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Evolution Of Virulence ◽  
Consumer Interactions ◽  
Host Parasite

ABSTRACT Pathogens vectored by nematodes pose serious agricultural, economic, and health threats; however, little is known of the ecological and evolutionary aspects of pathogen transmission by nematodes. Here we describe a novel model system with two trophic levels, bacteriophages and nematodes, each of which competes for bacteria. We demonstrate for the first time that nematodes are capable of transmitting phages between spatially distinct patches of bacteria. This model system has considerable advantages, including the ease of maintenance and manipulation at the laboratory bench, the ability to observe many generations in short periods, and the capacity to freeze evolved strains for later comparison to their ancestors. More generally, experimental studies of complex multispecies interactions, host-pathogen coevolution, disease dynamics, and the evolution of virulence may benefit from this model system because current models (e.g., chickens, mosquitoes, and malaria parasites) are costly to maintain, are difficult to manipulate, and require considerable space. Our initial explorations centered on independently assessing the impacts of nematode, bacterium, and phage population densities on virus migration between host patches. Our results indicated that virus transmission increases with worm density and host bacterial abundance; however, transmission decreases with initial phage abundance, perhaps because viruses eliminate available hosts before migration can occur. We discuss the microbial growth dynamics that underlie these results, suggest mechanistic explanations for nematode transmission of phages, and propose intriguing possibilities for future research.

scholarly journals Role for Parasite Genetic Diversity in Differential Host Responses to Trypanosoma brucei Infection

2010 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 1096-1108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liam J. Morrison ◽  
Sarah McLellan ◽  
Lindsay Sweeney ◽  
Chi N. Chan ◽  
Annette MacLeod ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Brucei ◽  
Interleukin 10 ◽  
Host Responses ◽  
Response Modulation ◽  
Product Analysis ◽  
Differential Host ◽  
Experimental Systems ◽  
Immune Response Modulation ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Host Genes

ABSTRACT The postgenomic era has revolutionized approaches to defining host-pathogen interactions and the investigation of the influence of genetic variation in either protagonist upon infection outcome. We analyzed pathology induced by infection with two genetically distinct Trypanosoma brucei strains and found that pathogenesis is partly strain specific, involving distinct host mechanisms. Infections of BALB/c mice with one strain (927) resulted in more severe anemia and greater erythropoietin production compared to infections with the second strain (247), which, contrastingly, produced greater splenomegaly and reticulocytosis. Plasma interleukin-10 (IL-10) and gamma interferon levels were significantly higher in strain 927-infected mice, whereas IL-12 was higher in strain 247-infected mice. To define mechanisms underlying these differences, expression microarray analysis of host genes in the spleen at day 10 postinfection was undertaken. Rank product analysis (RPA) showed that 40% of the significantly differentially expressed genes were specific to infection with one or the other trypanosome strain. RPA and pathway analysis identified LXR/RXR signaling, IL-10 signaling, and alternative macrophage activation as the most significantly differentially activated host processes. These data suggest that innate immune response modulation is a key determinant in trypanosome infections, the pattern of which can vary, dependent upon the trypanosome strain. This strongly suggests that a parasite genetic component is responsible for causing disease in the host. Our understanding of trypanosome infections is largely based on studies involving single parasite strains, and our results suggest that an integrated host-parasite approach is required for future studies on trypanosome pathogenesis. Furthermore, it is necessary to incorporate parasite variation into both experimental systems and models of pathogenesis.

scholarly journals Immune Evasion Strategies of Schistosomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob R. Hambrook ◽  
Patrick C. Hanington
Keyword(s):  
Immune Evasion ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Molecular Mimicry ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Host Responses ◽  
Immune Recognition ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Treatment Plans ◽  
Host Parasite

Human schistosomes combat the unique immune systems of two vastly different hosts during their indirect life cycles. In gastropod molluscs, they face a potent innate immune response composed of variable immune recognition molecules and highly phagocytic hemocytes. In humans, a wide variety of innate and adaptive immune processes exist in proximity to these parasites throughout their lifespan. To survive and thrive as the second most common parasitic disease in humans, schistosomes have evolved many techniques to avoid and combat these targeted host responses. Among these techniques are molecular mimicry of host antigens, the utilization of an immune resistant outer tegument, the secretion of several potent proteases, and targeted release of specific immunomodulatory factors affecting immune cell functions. This review seeks to describe these key immune evasion mechanisms, among others, which schistosomes use to survive in both of their hosts. After diving into foundational observational studies of the processes mediating the establishment of schistosome infections, more recent transcriptomic and proteomic studies revealing crucial components of the host/parasite molecular interface are discussed. In order to combat this debilitating and lethal disease, a comprehensive understanding of schistosome immune evasion strategies is necessary for the development of novel therapeutics and treatment plans, necessitating the discussion of the numerous ways in which these parasitic flatworms overcome the immune responses of both hosts.

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