Insect Immunology

This work is the first book-length publication on the topic of insect immunology since 1991, complementing earlier works by offering a fresh perspective on current research. Interactions of host immune systems with both parasites and pathogens are presented in detail, as well as the genomics and proteomics, approaches which have been lacking in other publications. Beckage provides comprehensive coverage of topics important to medical researchers, including Drosophila as a model for studying cellular and humoral immune mechanisms, biochemical mediators of immunity, and insect blood cells and their functions. Encompasses the most important topics of insect immunology including mechanisms, genes, proteins, evolution and phylogeny Provides comprehensive coverage of topics important to medical researchers including Drosophila as a model for studying cellular and humoral immune mechanisms, biochemical mediators of immunity, and insect blood cells and their functions Most up-to-date information published with contributions from international leaders in the field

The importance of insects for human welfare is unquestionable. This laboratory manual summarizes a number of key methods used by insect immunologists around the world. It should be helpful for those already working in this field & especially for scientists with general interest in this research topic as a methodical guide for the first steps. The experiments are described in detail, with step-by-step directions. Basic procedure for activation, detection, quantification & characterization of cellular & humoral defense reactions are given, along with protocols for more detailed investigations of cell differentiation & isolation of insect immune factors. Population genetic aspect, viral pathology & comparative studies revealing similarities with the vertebrate immune system are also included. The result described in the chapters show remarkable progress in our understanding of insect immunology. Simultaneously, the large number of still-unanswered questions make us realize that we have a lot left to learn about these fascinating animals. From future investigation we can expect a better understanding of the immune system's evolution, the discovery of new antimicrobial & regulatory insect molecules potentially useful in the therapy of human disease & new strategies for insect control.

Under continual attack from both microbial pathogens and multicellular parasites, insects must cope with immune challenges every day of their lives. However, this has not prevented them from becoming the most successful group of animals on the planet. Insects possess highly-developed innate immune systems which have been fine-tuned by an arms race with pathogens spanning hundreds of millions of years of evolutionary history. Recent discoveries are revealing both an unexpected degree of specificity and an indication of immunological memory - the functional hallmark of vertebrate immunity. The study of insect immune systems has accelerated rapidly in recent years and is now becoming an important interdisciplinary field. Furthermore, insects are a phenomenally rich and diverse source of antimicrobial chemicals. Some of these are already being seriously considered as potential therapeutic agents to control microbes such as MRSA. Despite a burgeoning interest in the field, this is the first book to provide a coherent synthesis and is clearly structured around two broadly themed sections: mechanisms of immunity and evolutionary ecology. This novel text adopts an interdisciplinary and concept-driven approach, integrating insights from immunology, molecular biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, parasitology, and epidemiology. It features contributions from an international team of leading experts. Insect Infection and Immunity is suitable for both graduate students and researchers interested in insect immunity from either an evolutionary, genetical, physiological or molecular perspective. Due to its interdisciplinary and concept-driven approach, it will also appeal to a broader audience of immunologists, parasitologists and evolutionary biologists requiring a concise overview.

Immunity in insects is different from immunity in vertebrates. Insects lack immunoglobulins even though they are capable of reacting against foreign components with effective defense mechanism. There has been a marked advancement in most of the fields of science in the past two decades. Insect immunity is also one of them. It is a developing subject which is now established as a new branch in insect study. This treatise is an attempt to compile meaningful articles of leading workers in this field, nevertheless we do not claim that leadership in insect immunity is by any means restricted to them. The idea is to provide a vibrant description of various aspects of "Insect Immunity". With the rapid development of the subject, it is difficult for any one author to discuss all the aspects of an area in a limited number of pages, even then they have done their utmost to include the entire development of the subject in their articles. The treatise deals with insect haemocytes, their population, isolation and role in defense mechanism, humoral encapsulation, inducible humoral antibacterial immunity, cellular immune reactions, role of endocrines, role of prophenol oxidase system in cellular communication, haemagglutinins and impact of parasite on insect immune system. Some topics could not be covered because experts in those area though willing could not complete their commitment within time limits.

In insect and other arthropod immune systems, discrimination between self and nonself tissues is accomplished through the combined actions of two immunocytes and several humoral factors. Immunology of Insects and Other Arthropods presents a comprehensive look at this and other important topics in arthropod immunology. Issues discussed include insect immunocytes and other hemocytes, including computer image analysis of immunocyte serial sections; the two basic cellular immune reactions (phagocytosis and encapsulation), including the molecular basis and roles of gap junctions in encapsulation; how encapsulation is affected by polydnavirus and encapsulation-promoting factors; why insect cells are immune to HIV; humoral factors; and antibacterial factors in Lepidoptera, Diptera, and other insect orders. Other topics include hemolymph proteins interacting with mammalian complement cascade; adaptive humoral response in the American cockroach; antigenic stimulation of hemaglutinin production in insects; and the applications of the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) in detecting endotoxins in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, clinical diagnosis, and hygienic control. This book represents an important reference source for hematologists, pathologists, immunologists, AIDS researchers, comparative immunologists, and pharmaceutical companies.

Insect Immunity, Volume 52 provides readers with the latest interdisciplinary reviews on the topic. It is an essential reference source for invertebrate physiologists, neurobiologists, entomologists, zoologists and insect chemists. Presents a comprehensive overview of recent insect immunity science Written by leaders in their respective areas of research Ideal resource for invertebrate physiologists, neurobiologists, entomologists, zoologists and insect chemists

This eBook is a collection of articles from a Frontiers Research Topic. Frontiers Research Topics are very popular trademarks of the Frontiers Journals Series: they are collections of at least ten articles, all centered on a particular subject. With their unique mix of varied contributions from Original Research to Review Articles, Frontiers Research Topics unify the most influential researchers, the latest key findings and historical advances in a hot research area! Find out more on how to host your own Frontiers Research Topic or contribute to one as an author by contacting the Frontiers Editorial Office: frontiersin.org/about/contact.

The publication of the extensive seven-volume work Comprehensive Molecular Insect Science provided a complete reference encompassing important developments and achievements in modern insect science. One of the most swiftly moving areas in entomological and comparative research is molecular biology, and this volume, Insect Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, is designed for those who desire a comprehensive yet concise work on important aspects of this topic. This volume contains ten fully revised or rewritten chapters from the original series as well as five completely new chapters on topics such as insect immunology, insect genomics, RNAi, and molecular biology of circadian rhythms and circadian behavior. The topics included are key to an understanding of insect development, with emphasis on the cuticle, digestive properties, and the transport of lipids; extensive and integrated chapters on cytochrome P450s; and the role of transposable elements in the developmental processes as well as programmed cell death. This volume will be of great value to senior investigators, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and advanced undergraduate research students. It can also be used as a reference for graduate courses and seminars on the topic. Chapters will also be valuable to the applied biologist or entomologist, providing the requisite understanding necessary for probing the more applied research areas related to insect control. Topics specially selected by the editor-in-chief of the original major reference work Fully revised and new contributions bring together the latest research in the rapidly moving fields of insect molecular biology and insect biochemistry, including coverage of development, physiology, immunity and proteomics Full-color provides readers with clear, useful illustrations to highlight important research findings