Histopathological observations and comparative transcriptome analysis of Ophiocordyceps sinensis infection of Hepialus xiaojinensis in the early stage

Xiuwen Bao; Haoran Song; Liying He; Yong Li; Shuqi Niu; Jinlin Guo

doi:10.1016/j.dci.2023.105067

Histopathological observations and comparative transcriptome analysis of Ophiocordyceps sinensis infection of Hepialus xiaojinensis in the early stage

Dev Comp Immunol. 2024 Jan:150:105067. doi: 10.1016/j.dci.2023.105067. Epub 2023 Oct 4.

Authors

Xiuwen Bao¹, Haoran Song¹, Liying He¹, Yong Li¹, Shuqi Niu², Jinlin Guo³

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Characteristic Chinese Medicine Resources in Southwest China, College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China.
² College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, China. Electronic address: niushuqi@cdutcm.edu.cn.
³ Key Laboratory of Characteristic Chinese Medicine Resources in Southwest China, College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China; College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, China. Electronic address: guo596@cdutcm.edu.cn.

PMID: 37797777
DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2023.105067

Abstract

Hepialus xiaojinensis is a Lepidopteran insect and one of the hosts for the artificial cultivation of Cordyceps. Ophiocordyceps sinensis can infect and coexist with H. xiaojinensis larvae for a long time. Little studies focused on the interaction process through its early infection stage. In this research, we particularly study the interaction of infected and uninfected larvae in the 3rd (OS-3, CK-3) and 4th (OS-4, CK-4) instars. O. sinensis was distributed within the larvae and accompanied by pathological changes in some tissue structures. In response to O. sinensis infection, OS-3 enhanced the antioxidant defense ability, while OS-4 decreased. The transcriptome analysis showed that OS-3 resisted the invasion of O. sinensis by the immune and nervous systems. Correspondingly, OS-4 reduced immune response and utilized more energy for growth and development. This study provides a comprehensive resource for analyzing the mechanism of H. xiaojinensis and O. sinensis interaction.

Keywords: Cordyceps; Hepialus xiaojinensis; Immune; Infection; Ophiocordyceps sinensis; Transcriptome.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Cordyceps* / genetics
Gene Expression Profiling
Insecta
Larva
Lepidoptera*