Abstract
Group living at high densities may result in the enhanced transmission of pathogens. Social insects are obligate group-living species, which often also exhibit high relatedness and frequent social interactions amongst individuals, resulting in a high risk of disease spread. Social species seem to exhibit immune systems that provide colonies of social insects with a certain level of flexibility for adjustment of immune activity according to the risk of disease spread. In bumblebees, Bombus terrestris, it was demonstrated that in group-kept individuals, immune component activity and immune gene expression is increased, potentially as a prophylactic adaptation. Here, I tested whether social environment influences the gene expression pattern of two lysozyme genes, which are components of the antimicrobial response of the bumblebee. In addition, I tested gene expression activation in different tissues (gut, fat body). The analysis revealed that the gene, the density of individuals, the tissue, and the interaction of the latter are the main factors that influence the expression of lysozyme genes. This is the first report of a tissue-specific response towards the social environment. This has implications for gene regulation, which must be responsive to social context-dependent information.
Highlights
Social insects typically live in colonies in which individuals are highly related and show frequent social interactions [1,2]
This provides excellent opportunities for parasites and pathogens to spread and establish themselves [3]. Besides their individual immune system which consists of the canonical humoral immune pathways and cellular immune responses, social insects show a range of adaptations at the group level known as social immunity [4]
Neofunctionalization of genes not associated with immunity in other insects, and changes in gene regulation might compensate for the lack of immune genes
Summary
Social insects typically live in colonies in which individuals are highly related and show frequent social interactions [1,2] This provides excellent opportunities for parasites and pathogens to spread and establish themselves [3]. Besides their individual immune system which consists of the canonical humoral immune pathways and cellular immune responses, social insects show a range of adaptations at the group level known as social immunity [4]. These consist of behavioural and physiological adaptations to combat pathogens and parasites. Neofunctionalization of genes not associated with immunity in other insects, and changes in gene regulation might compensate for the lack of immune genes
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