Abstract
Recently, invertebrate models have been widely used for the study of innate immunity. Nematodes are novel potential candidates because of the experimental advantages of Caenorhabditis elegans. However, whether nematodes have active immune responses is still ambiguous. Previously, we reported ASABF (Ascaris suum antibacterial factor)-type antimicrobial peptides in the parasitic nematode Ascaris suum and the genetic model nematode C. elegans. Further screening of a cDNA library and an expressed-sequence-tag database search detected five novel members of ASABF (ASABF-beta, -gamma, -delta, - epsilon and -zeta) in A. suum. The transcripts for ASABF-alpha, -beta, -gamma, and -delta clearly increased in the body wall, and also in the intestine for ASABF-delta, 4 h after injection of heat-killed bacteria into the pseudocoelom (body cavity), suggesting that these peptides are inducible in the acute phase of immune response. These results also suggest that the nematodes can recognize bacteria in the pseudocoelomic fluid and evoke an active immune response.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
