An introduction to ecological immunology

Martin, Lynn B.; Hawley, Dana M.; Ardia, Daniel R.

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2435.2010.01820.x

Cited by 105 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…However, if this were the case, one would expect to find a decrease in immune function in dehydrated Gila monsters, as prolonged exposure to glucocorticoids like CORT usually inhibits immune function (Sapolsky et al, 2000; though there are exceptions, see Martin et al, 2011). Thus, contrary to the trend, but in accordance with our previous result of enhanced innate immune function in dehydrated Gila monsters (Moeller et al, 2013), we predicted that initial levels of CORT would not be affected by Fig.…”

Section: Corticosteronecontrasting

confidence: 54%

Dehydration enhances multiple physiological defense mechanisms in a desert lizard, Heloderma suspectum

Moeller

Demare

Davies

et al. 2017

Journal of Experimental Biology

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The physiological challenges associated with dehydration can induce an increase in plasma glucocorticoid concentrations, a response thought to provide the mechanism for dehydration suppressing immune function. However, a comprehensive examination of the inter-relationship of dehydration, stress and immune function has not been conducted within a single species. We previously demonstrated that Gila monsters (Heloderma suspectum), which inhabit a xeric environment with a predictable seasonal drought, have enhanced measures of innate immunity when dehydrated. These results suggest that, in this species, dehydration may not induce a glucocorticoid response, but, instead, enhances physiological defense mechanisms. To explore this possibility, we examined multiple measures of innate immunity as well as initial and reactive plasma concentrations of glucocorticoids in captive and free-ranging Gila monsters at various hydration states. Our results show that, in this species, dehydration alone does not cause a substantial increase in plasma glucocorticoids, and we provide broader evidence that dehydration enhances defensive mechanisms including stress reactivity and various measures of innate immune function. These findings suggest that physiological responses to dehydration may depend heavily on an organism's ecology. More research on the effects of dehydration on the glucocorticoid response and immunity will help clarify the interactive roles they play in response to hydration challenges and whether adaptations to water-limited environments influence these interactions.

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Section: Corticosteronecontrasting

confidence: 54%

Dehydration enhances multiple physiological defense mechanisms in a desert lizard, Heloderma suspectum

Moeller

Demare

Davies

et al. 2017

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…An emerging theme in eco-immunological research involves the potential link between host life history and investment in immunological defenses (Hamilton and Zuk, 1982;Sheldon and Verhulst, 1996;Hamilton and Poulin, 1997;Martin et al, 2011). While our results help to elucidate some of the short-term mechanisms underlying strong host resistance by hylid frogs to Ribeiroia, it is less clear why this host group in particular exhibits such strong and specific defenses.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 38%

“…The rapidly growing discipline of eco-immunology has highlighted the importance of trade-offs between immune function and competing physiological functions, such as reproduction and growth (Hamilton and Zuk, 1982;Sheldon and Verhulst, 1996;Hamilton and Poulin, 1997;Martin et al, 2011). For example, species of birds that invest in rapid growth and early reproduction (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ongoing efforts in the fields of eco-immunology and disease ecology have helped advance our understanding of what drives variation in disease susceptibility (Hawley and Altizer, 2011;Martin et al, 2011), which often varies markedly among host individuals, populations and species . The rapidly growing discipline of eco-immunology has highlighted the importance of trade-offs between immune function and competing physiological functions, such as reproduction and growth (Hamilton and Zuk, 1982;Sheldon and Verhulst, 1996;Hamilton and Poulin, 1997;Martin et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Experimental infection dynamics: using immunosuppression andin vivoparasite tracking to understand host resistance in an amphibian-trematode system

LaFonte

Johnson

2013

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARYAlthough naturally occurring hosts often exhibit pronounced differences in infection and pathology, the relative importance of factors associated with host life history and immunity in explaining such patterns often remains speculative. Research in ecoimmunology highlights the trade-offs between host physiology and immunity, for which natural variations in disease susceptibility offer a valuable platform to test predictions within this framework. Here, we combined use of a novel, in vivo assay for tracking parasite fate and an experimental manipulation of host immune function (via chronic corticosterone exposure) to assess the role of host immunity in regulating susceptibility of amphibian hosts to three larval trematodes: Ribeiroia ondatrae, Echinostoma trivolvis and Alaria sp. 2. Results from the in vivo parasite-tracking assay revealed marked differences in initial parasite penetration and subsequent host clearance. Relative to infections in a highly susceptible species (Pseudacris regilla), the virulent trematode R. ondatrae was ~25% less successful at penetrating larvae of three hylid frog species and was cleared >45× faster, such that all parasites were rapidly cleared from hylid hosts over 72h following a Weibull distribution. Immune suppression of Hyla versicolor sharply reduced this resistance and increased infection of all three trematodes by 67 to 190%, with particularly strong increases for R. ondatrae. Diminished resistance correlated with a 62% decrease in circulating eosinophils. Correspondingly, 10days after corticosterone exposures ended, infections declined dramatically while eosinophil levels returned to normal. In light of ongoing declines and deformities in amphibian populations, these findings have application potential for mitigating disease-driven effects.

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“…well as the complex economies of organisms in collective associations and in benevolent intercourse with their environment (Gewin 2011;Martin, Hawley and Ardia 2011;Demas and Nelson 2011;Maligoli and Ottaviani 2014). This new inter-disciplinary field thus widens the scope of immunity and thereby shifts the focus of immune functions to a larger framework that allows for both competitive and co-operative exchanges.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immunity in Context: Science and Society in Dialogue

Tauber

2016

THEORIA

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According to immunology's prevailing paradigm, immunity is based on self/nonself discrimination and thus requires a construction of identity. Two orientations vie for dominance: The original conception, conceived in the context of infectious diseases, regards the organism as insular and autonomous, an entity that requires defense of its borders. An alternate view places the organism firmly in its environment in which both benign and onerous encounters occur. On this latter relational account, active tolerance allows for cooperative relationships with other organisms in the larger ecological economy. These contending orientations -one derived from biomedicine and the other from the ecological sciences-have drawn the attention of social scientists and culture critics. On the one hand, feminists have portrayed immune theory as based upon borrowed social notions of identity that reflect male aggressive values and thus distort more balanced accounts of immunity; and, on the other hand, other commentary projects immune theory as a framework in which analysis of Western societies putatively reveals analogous patterns of 'self' and 'other' interactions, where autoimmunity and immunization are understood as expressions of the insular understanding of identity. Here, a meta-interpretation is presented that shows how these critiques place the immune self on a spectrum stretching from its formulation as an autonomous agent, a modernist conception of the independent individual, to a postmodern portrayal in which this conception of selfhood has been deconstructed. Accordingly, immunology is drawn into a wide-ranging debate about agency, where differing interpretations of immunity serves as a template in which competing understandings of human social intercourse is modeled.Key words: immunology, immunity, selfhood, postmodernism, ecology, individuality.RESUMEN: Según el paradigma dominante en inmunología, la inmunidad está basada en la discriminación entre yo/noyo y requiere, por tanto, una construcción de la identidad. Dos orientaciones compiten por dominar: la concepción original, concebida en el contexto de las enfermedades infecciosas contempla al organismo como aislado y autónomo, como una entidad que necesita defender sus fronteras. Una visión alternativa sitúa firmemente al organismo en su entorno, en el cual suceden tanto encuentros beneficiosos como costosos. En este enfoque relacional, la tolerancia activa permite relaciones cooperativas con otros organismos en una economía ecológica más amplia. Estas orientaciones en liza -una derivada de la biomedicina y otra de las ciencias ecológicas-han llamado la atención de los científicos sociales y de los críticos de la cultura. Por una parte, el feminismo ha descrito la teoría inmunológica como basada en nociones sociales prestadas de identidad que reflejan los valores agresivos del macho y que, de este modo, impiden una explicación más equilibrada de la inmunidad. Por otra parte, otro comentario proyecta la teoría inmunológica como un marco en el que el análisis ...

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An introduction to ecological immunology

Cited by 105 publications

References 54 publications

Dehydration enhances multiple physiological defense mechanisms in a desert lizard, Heloderma suspectum

Dehydration enhances multiple physiological defense mechanisms in a desert lizard, Heloderma suspectum

Experimental infection dynamics: using immunosuppression andin vivoparasite tracking to understand host resistance in an amphibian-trematode system

Immunity in Context: Science and Society in Dialogue

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