Intestinal regeneration as an insect resistance mechanism to entomopathogenic bacteria.

The intestinal epithelium of insects is exposed to xenobiotics and entomopathogens during the feeding developmental stages. In these conditions, an effective enterocyte turnover mechanism is highly desirable to maintain integrity of the gut epithelial wall. As in other insects, the gut of lepidopteran larvae have stem cells that are capable of proliferation, which occurs during molting and pathogenic episodes. While much is known on the regulation of gut stem cell division during molting, there is a current knowledge gap on the molecular regulation of gut healing processes after entomopathogen exposure. Relevant information on this subject is emerging from studies of the response to exposure to insecticidal proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) as model intoxicants. In this work we discuss currently available data on the molecular cues involved in gut stem cell proliferation, insect gut healing, and the implications of enhanced healing as a potential mechanism of resistance against Bt toxins.