Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK.
Zoology, Ryan Institute, School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland.
J Invertebr Pathol. 2023 Jun;198:107899. doi: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.107899. Epub 2023 Feb 16.
For humans, acute and chronic overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause tissue damage in the form of sunburn and promote cancer(s). The immune-modulating properties of UV radiation and health-related consequences are not well known. Herein, we used the larvae of the wax moth Galleria mellonella, to determine UV-driven changes in cellular components of innate immunity. From immune cell (haemocyte) reactivity and the production of antimicrobial factors, these insects share many functional similarities with mammalian cellular innate immunity. After exposing insects to UVA or UVB for up to two hours, we monitored larval viability, susceptibility to infection, haemolymph (blood) physiology and faecal discharge. Prolonged exposure of larvae to UVB coincided with decreased survival, enhanced susceptibility to bacterial challenge, melanin synthesis in the haemolymph, compromised haemocyte functionality and changes in faecal (bacterial) content. We contend G. mellonella is a reliable in vivo model for assessing the impact of UV exposure at the whole organism and cellular levels.
对于人类来说，急性和慢性的紫外线（UV）辐射过度暴露会导致晒伤等组织损伤，并促进癌症的发生。UV 辐射的免疫调节特性及其与健康相关的后果尚不清楚。在这里，我们使用黄粉甲幼虫来确定 UV 驱动的先天免疫细胞成分的变化。这些昆虫与哺乳动物的细胞先天免疫具有许多相似的功能，包括免疫细胞（血细胞）的反应性和抗菌因子的产生。在将昆虫暴露于 UVA 或 UVB 长达两小时后，我们监测了幼虫的存活率、对感染的易感性、血淋巴（血液）生理学和粪便排出。幼虫长时间暴露于 UVB 会导致存活率降低、对细菌挑战的易感性增加、血淋巴中黑色素的合成、血细胞功能受损以及粪便（细菌）含量的变化。我们认为黄粉甲幼虫是评估整个生物体和细胞水平 UV 暴露影响的可靠体内模型。
