Changes in histamine, HSF1, Cysteinyl leukotriene, TLR1 and TLR2 in Galleria mellonella hemolymph after Conidiobolus coronatus infection

Abstract

Non-mammal models are gaining popularity due to their ease of maintenance, low cost and lack of ethical restrictions. As some processes taking place in insect hemocytes are mirrored in human immunocytes, many immunological studies are now turning to the use of insect models like Galleria mellonella. G. mellonella larvae are susceptible to infection by Conidiobolus coronatus: an entomopathogenic fungus causing rhinofacial mycosis in humans. The study examines G. mellonella larvae during C. coronatus infection for the presence of certain compounds known to be involved in the human immunological response (histamine, HSF1, Cysteinyl leukotriene TLR1 and TLR2). G. mellonella larvae were exposed to fully grown fungus, and the results were determined by ELISA tests, fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. CysLT showed no significant changes between the control group and the infected larvae. Both histamine and HSF1 levels increased significantly after exposure to C. coronatus. Immunolocalization and flow cytometry of TLR1 and TLR2 proves that both receptors increase their levels due to the fungus infection. Our findings show that the cellular response of the G. mellonella is similar to the human response, indicating that G. mellonella larvae may be considered as a human-like immunological model in further studies.