Immunohistochemical analysis of the role of hemocytin in nodule formation in the larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

J Insect Sci. 2013:13:125. doi: 10.1673/031.013.12501.

Abstract

Hemocytin, a multidomain protein from Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), is an ortholog of von Willebrand factor and is expected to be a major mediator of hemocyte aggregation. Antiserum was generated against hemocytin, and immune staining of hemocytes, hemolymph, and nodules was performed. Hemocytin was observed in steady-state hemocytes but not in plasma, even after bacterial injection. When hemolymph was smeared on glass slides, hemocytin-containing fibrous structures formed a cellular network mainly consisting of granulocytes and oenocytoids. Hemocytin was stained only in the granules of the granulocytes. When nodule-like aggregates formed 30 sec after bacterial injection, both granulocytes and bacterial cells were observed binding to hemocytin-containing fibrous structures. When nodule sections were stained with antiserum, hemocytin was seen in the matrix of the nodules surrounding the hemocytes. These data suggest that hemocytin plays a major role in nodule formation as a component of the sticky fibrous structure exocytosed from granulocytes.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Bombyx / growth & development
  • Bombyx / metabolism*
  • Bombyx / microbiology
  • Escherichia coli / physiology
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Hemocytes / metabolism*
  • Hemolymph / metabolism*
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Insect Proteins / metabolism*
  • Larva
  • Lectins / metabolism*
  • Micrococcus luteus / physiology

Substances

  • Insect Proteins
  • Lectins
  • hemocytin protein, Bombyx mori