The role of extracellular nucleic acids in the immune system modulation of Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

COSTE GRAHL, MATHEUS V.; PERIN, ANA PAULA A.; LOPES, FERNANDA C.; PORTO, BÁRBARA N.; UBERTI, AUGUSTO F.; CANAVOSO, LILIAN E.; STANISÇUASKI, FERNANDA; FRUTTERO, LEONARDO L.

PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY

ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE

Año: 2020 vol. 167

0048-3575

xtracellular traps (ETs) are extracellular nucleic acids associated with cytoplasmic proteins that may aid in the capture and killing of pathogens. To date, only a few insects were shown to display this kind of immune response. Jaburetox, a peptide derived from jack bean urease, showed toxic effects in Rhodnius prolixus, affecting its immune response. The present study aims to evaluate the role of extracellular nucleic acids in R. prolixus´ immune response, using Jaburetox as a model entomotoxin. The insects were treated with extracellular nucleic acids and/or Jaburetox, and the cellular and humoral responses were assessed. We also evaluated the release of extracellular nucleic acids induced by toxins, and performed immunocompetence assays using pathogenic bacteria. Our results demonstrated that extracellular nucleic acids can modulate the insect immune responses, either alone or associated with the toxin. Although RNA and DNA induced a cellular immune response, only DNA was able to n