Introduction. Ecological immunology

Schulenburg, Hinrich; Kurtz, Joachim; Moret, Yannick; Siva‐Jothy, Michael T.

doi:10.1098/rstb.2008.0249

Cited by 235 publications

(196 citation statements)

References 148 publications

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“…The idea that disease resistance is costly and is traded off against other traits, such as reproductive effort and longevity, is fundamental to the field of ecological immunology (e.g. (Lochmiller and Deerenberg, 2000;Owens and Wilson, 1999;Schulenburg et al, 2009;Sheldon and Verhulst, 1996;Wilson, 2005) Norris & Evans 2000; Wilson 2005). In order to test this hypothesis, immune-related costs must be experimentally distinguished from other pathological processes associated with infection.…”

Section: Nutrition and The Consequences Of Immune Trade-offsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating nutrition and immunology: A new frontier

Ponton

Wilson

Holmes

et al. 2013

Journal of Insect Physiology

129

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Section: Nutrition and The Consequences Of Immune Trade-offsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating nutrition and immunology: A new frontier

Ponton

Wilson

Holmes

et al. 2013

Journal of Insect Physiology

129

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“…However, a growing body of empirical work in the field of ecological immunology has shown that immune parameters in insects respond to various ecological factors, and may be induced on time scales relevant to the individual's fitness (Best et al, 2013;Rolff and Siva-Jothy, 2003;Schmid-Hempel, 2003;SchmidHempel, 2005;Schulenburg et al, 2009). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reduced consumption of protein-rich foods follows immune challenge in a polyphagous caterpillar

Mason

Smilanich

Singer

2014

Journal of Experimental Biology

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Advances in ecological immunity have illustrated that, like vertebrates, insects exhibit adaptive immunity, including induced changes in feeding behavior that aid the immune system. In particular, recent studies have pointed to the importance of protein intake in mounting an immune response. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the polyphagous caterpillar Grammia incorrupta (H. Edwards) (Family: Erebidae) would adaptively change its feeding behavior in response to immune challenge, predicting that caterpillars would increase their intake of dietary protein. We further predicted that this response would enhance the melanization response, a component of the immune system that acts against parasitoids. We challenged the immune system using either tachinid fly parasitoids or a bead injection technique that has been used in studies to simulate parasitism, and measured feeding before and after immune challenge on diets varying in their macronutrient content. To evaluate the effects of diet on melanization, we quantified melanization of beads following feeding assays. Contrary to our prediction, we found that parasitized or injected caterpillars given a choice between high-and low-protein foods reduced their intake of the high-protein food. Furthermore, in a no-choice experiment, caterpillars offered food with a protein concentration that is optimal for growth reduced feeding following immune challenge, whereas those offered a low-protein food did not. Although variation in protein intake did not change the caterpillars' melanization response, increased carbohydrate intake did increase melanization, suggesting a prophylactic role for carbohydrates. We discuss alternative mechanisms by which variation in protein intake could negatively or positively affect parasitized caterpillars, including nutritional interactions with the caterpillar's self-medication response.

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“…An alternative, and not necessarily contradictory, adaptationist approach recognizes that anti-pathogen defences are energetically costly to the organism, and that systems of defence can be expected to develop in response to ecological factors across the life course (Sheldon & Verhulst 1996;Schulenburg et al 2009). CRP is an important component of innate immunity, and is involved in activating complement, promoting phagocytic activity and opsonizing bacteria, fungi and parasites.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early origins of inflammation: microbial exposures in infancy predict lower levels of C-reactive protein in adulthood

et al. 2009

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Ecological factors are important determinants of the development and function of anti-pathogen defences. Inflammation is a central part of innate immunity, but the developmental factors that shape the regulation of inflammation are not known. We test the hypothesis that microbial exposures in infancy are associated with high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) in adulthood using prospective data from a birth cohort in the Philippines (n ¼ 1461). Lower birth weight was associated with increased CRP, consistent with a role for inflammation in the widely documented inverse relationship between birth weight and adult cardiovascular diseases. In addition, higher levels of microbial exposure in infancy were associated with lower CRP. These associations were independent of socioeconomic status, measures of current body fat and other health behaviours. We conclude that measures of microbial exposure and nutrition during the pre-natal and early post-natal periods are important predictors of CRP concentration in young adulthood. We speculate that the development of anti-inflammatory regulatory networks in response to early microbial exposure represents plasticity in the development of anti-pathogen defences, and that this process may help explain the low CRP concentrations in this population.

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Introduction. Ecological immunology

Cited by 235 publications

References 148 publications

Integrating nutrition and immunology: A new frontier

Integrating nutrition and immunology: A new frontier

Reduced consumption of protein-rich foods follows immune challenge in a polyphagous caterpillar

Early origins of inflammation: microbial exposures in infancy predict lower levels of C-reactive protein in adulthood

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