We review recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of insect immune
defence, but do so in a framework defined by the ecological and evolutionary forces that …

Recognition of nonself is the first step in mounting immune responses. In the innate immune
systems of both vertebrates and arthropods, such recognition, termed pattern recognition, is …

There is increasing evidence of an intimate connection between participants in the innate
immune system and in development. Molecules involved in the determination of dorso …

Hemolin, a plasma protein from lepidopteran insects, is composed of four immunoglobulin
domains. Its synthesis is induced by microbial challenge. We investigated the biological …

Hemolin is one of the haemolymph proteins most strongly induced upon bacterial infection
in Lepidoptera. When we applied RNA interference (RNAi) to suppress Hemolin expression …

Innate immunity protects juvenile and adult vertebrates and invertebrates against potential
pathogens; however, it is unknown when developing embryos become immune competent …

Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are a type of pattern recognition molecules
(PRM) that recognize the unique cell wall component peptidoglycan (PGN) of bacteria and …

The recognition and inactivation of toxins and pathogens are mediated by a combination of
cell-free and cellular mechanisms. A number of soluble and membrane-bound pattern …

Melanization is regulated by the prophenoloxidase cascade and functions as a response to
intruding microorganisms in invertebrates. When injecting dsRNA of the lepidopteran …

Earthworms of the family Lumbricidae harbor specific and stable populations of Acidovorax-
like bacteria within their excretory organs, the nephridia. The symbionts of Eisenia foetida …