Article

Effect of acute ultraviolet radiation on Galleria mellonella health and immunity

Details

Citation

Sabockyte A, McAllister S, Coates CJ & Lim J (2023) Effect of acute ultraviolet radiation on Galleria mellonella health and immunity. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, p. 107899. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022201123000162; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2023.107899

Abstract
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.

Keywords
UVA, UVB, haemocytes, innate immunity, melanisation, immunotoxicology

Journal
Journal of Invertebrate Pathology

StatusPublished
FundersThe Carnegie Trust
Publication date28/02/2023
Publication date online16/02/2023
Date accepted by journal12/02/2023
PublisherElsevier BV
Publisher URLhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/…0022201123000162
ISSN0022-2011

People (1)

Dr Jenson Lim

Dr Jenson Lim

Lecturer, Biological and Environmental Sciences

Projects (1)

Research programmes

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