Studies of Immune Responses in Silkworm Bombyx mori L.: A Review

Author: Suraksha Chanotra, Muzafar Ahmad Bhat, Jyoty Angotra, Gurvinder Raj Verma and Abdul Aziz

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Abstract

Bombyx mori L. is one of the most important sericigenous insect commercially reared for silk production. Similar to other insects, silkworm is also susceptible to a wide range of pathogens. The resistance or susceptibility to pathogens in silkworm is dependent on the genetic constitution of the host which represents the immunity of an organism towards pathogens. The innate immune responses of silkworm constitute both cellular and humoral reactions including synthesis and release of antimicrobial peptides for inhibition and elimination of foreign agents. All the immune reactions in silkworms functions by means of either Toll and Immunodeficiency signaling pathway pathways or participation of Janus Kinase / Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription signaling pathway which works subsequently for particular pathogen type. This short review highlights studies that have contributed to our understanding of silkworm immune response against pathogens.

Keywords

Humoral, cellular, antimicrobial, peptides, pathogens, Signal, Transducer

Conclusion

Bombyx mori L. is an important economic insect used commercially for silk production and more recently used in molecular studies as a well recognized model organism. However, different categories of pathogens cause serious economic loss to sericulture industry by infecting silkworm larvae and depleting the chances of successful crop every year. Although silkworm Bombyx mori L. lacks a well developed acquired immune system but possesses a sophisticated innate immune system offering defense to the host against disease causing organisms. The innate immune responses of silkworm constitute both cellular and humoral reactions including the synthesis and release of antimicrobial peptides, phenoloxidase, phagocytosis, nodule formation, encapsulation and melanization. Innate immune responses are activated via means of IMD and Toll pathways which activate the secretion of AMPs and enable the host to control the gene expression in response to the invasion of foreign pathogens. Therefore, considering the economic and biomedical significance of silkworm an attempt has been carried out in this review to understand the complexity of silkworm immune system with a future prospective to breed disease resistant silkworm strains with high levels of immune responses. This could serve as an informative piece of literature for silkworm breeders with an objective to produce improved silkworm strains for strengthening sericulture industry in a big way.

References

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How to cite this article

Suraksha Chanotra, Muzafar Ahmad Bhat, Jyoty Angotra, Gurvinder Raj Verma and Abdul Aziz (2022). Studies of Immune Responses in Silkworm Bombyx mori L.: A Review. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4): 348-352.