Avoidance behavior independent of innate-immune signaling seen in Caenorhabditis elegans challenged with Bacillus anthracis

Turner, Michael J.; Cox, Justin; Spellman, Anthony C.; Stahl, Craig; Bavari, Sina

doi:10.1016/j.dci.2019.103453

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…We found that B. anthracis kills the silkworms, and the lack of toxin genes makes B. anthracis less virulent to the worms when injected into the hemolymph. Among other invertebrates, B. anthracis can infect G. mellonella [ 25 ], but not C. elegans [ 56 ]. Furthermore, the ability of blood-feeding insects to act as vectors of B. anthracis [ 57 ] suggest a difference among invertebrate response toward B. anthracis when administered orally or into the hemolymph.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Silkworm model for Bacillus anthracis infection and virulence determination

2021

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Bacillus anthracis is an obligate pathogen and a causative agent of anthrax. Its major virulence factors are plasmid-coded; however, recent studies have revealed chromosome-encoded virulence factors, indicating that the current understanding of its virulence mechanism is elusive and needs further investigation. In this study, we established a silkworm ( Bombyx mori) infection model of B. anthracis . We showed that silkworms were killed by B. anthracis Sterne and cured of the infection when administered with antibiotics. We quantitatively determined the lethal dose of the bacteria that kills 50% larvae and effective doses of antibiotics that cure 50% infected larvae. Furthermore, we demonstrated that B. anthracis mutants with disruption in virulence genes such as pagA, lef , and atxA had attenuated silkworm-killing ability and reduced colonization in silkworm hemolymph. The silkworm infection model established in this study can be utilized in large-scale infection experiments to identify novel virulence determinants and develop novel therapeutic options against B. anthracis infections.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Silkworm model for Bacillus anthracis infection and virulence determination

2021

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“…Ward also observed that this behavioral response involved orientation and movement up gradients of the attractant, accumulation of worms at the attractant area, and then habituation. Thereafter, several studies have assessed chemotaxis in C. elegans in response to distinct bacterial food sources (e.g., Turner, Cox, Spellman, Stahl, & Bavari, 2020); to specific water‐soluble or volatile elements such as volatile compounds released by bacteria like isoamyl alcohol (e.g., Worthy et al., 2018; Yoshida et al., 2012) and benzaldehyde (e.g., Tsui & Kooy, 2008); and to other chemicals and molecules like salts (Saeki, Yamamoto, & Iino, 2001; Tomioka et al., 2006), hormones (e.g., Luo, Xu, Tan, Zhang, & Ma, 2015), and metals (e.g., Sambongi & Nagae, 1999; Song et al., 2014; Wakabayashi, Nojiri, & Takahashi‐Watanabe, 2020; Wang et al., 2015). Other recent studies have also specifically assessed the effects of environmental contaminants of current concern on C. elegans chemotaxis behavior like graphene oxide nanomaterials (Wang & Wang, 2019), nanopolystyrene nanoparticles (Qu & Wang, 2020), and pesticides (Hopewell et al., 2017; Sobkowiak, Bojarska, Krzyżaniak, Wągiel, & Ntalli, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overview of Chemotaxis Behavior Assays in Caenorhabditis elegans

et al. 2021

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Environmental pollution related to anthropogenic pressures, and the associated repercussions on public health, represent a worldwide problem. Thus, the study of the effects that environmental contaminants can pose to natural ecosystems and human health is of vital importance. Laboratory model organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans have played a significant role in clarifying multilevel effects of those agents. Although the evaluation of contaminant effects at the behavioral level of organisms is an emerging approach in ecotoxicology, studies assessing chemotaxis behavior in C. elegans within the ecotoxicological research context are still scarce. Chemotaxis studies in C. elegans have contributed to the understanding of both the neuronal mechanisms involved in the behavioral effects triggered by environmental cues and the impact of contaminants on natural ecosystems. Its compact and well-characterized nervous system, as well as the availability of transgenic strains and molecular tools, allows a detailed examination of behavioral, molecular, and genetic chemosensation mechanisms. This overview provides a summary and general comparison of methods used to measure chemotaxis behavior in C. elegans, with the aim of helping researchers select the most suitable approach in their chemotaxis studies. We compare methods based on the type of chemical tested, advantages and drawbacks of the different approaches, and specific experimental goals. Lastly, we hope to encourage the evaluation of C. elegans chemotaxis behavior in ecotoxicology studies, as well as its potential integration in standardized protocols assessing environmental quality.

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“…C. elegans displays chemotaxis to bacteria (e.g., Turner, Cox, Spellman, Stahl, & Bavari, 2020) and is able to discriminate among different bacterial strains and densities (Weber & Traunspurger, 2013, Worthy et al., 2018; Zhang, Lu, & Bargmann, 2005). In addition, it can respond to concentration gradients of different ions (e.g., Ward, 1973), salts (e.g., Saeki et al., 2001), metals (e.g., Chai, Cronin, & Sternberg, 2017; Monteiro, Brinke, Traunspurger, & Moens, 2014; Sambongi et al., 1999; Song et al., 2014; Wang et al., 2015), cyclic nucleotides (cAMP) (Ward, 1973), hormones (e.g., Luo, Xu, Tan, Zhang, & Ma, 2015), and a variety of volatile organic compounds (e.g., Hockelmann, Moens, & Juttner, 2004; Tsui & Kooy, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measurement of the Effects of Metals on Taxis‐to‐Food Behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans

et al. 2021

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Chemosensation in nematodes is linked to processes that affect their ability to survive, such as the search for food and the avoidance of toxic substances. Since the 1970s, numerous studies have assessed chemotaxis in the nematode species Caenorhabditis elegans, focusing on a multitude of agents, including bacteria (food), ions, salts, hormones, volatile organic compounds, and, to a lesser extent, metal-contaminated medium/food. The few studies evaluating metal exposure have reported a variety of responses (neutral, attraction, avoidance), which generally appear to be contaminant and/or concentration specific. Differences in experimental designs, however, hinder appropriate comparison of the findings and attainment of firm conclusions. Therefore, we herein propose and describe a detailed protocol for the assessment of the effects of metals on taxis-tofood behavior in C. elegans. Distinct approaches are proposed in two innovative stages of testing to (1) screen metals' effects on taxis-to-food behavior and (2) classify the behavioral response as attraction/avoidance/indifference or preference. Use of such a standard protocol will allow for easy comparison across studies and direct interpretation of results. Findings using this model system can contribute to a deeper understanding of the real risks of metal contamination to nematodes and how such contaminants could impact ecosystems in general, given the key environmental roles that these organisms play. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol: Assessing the effects of metal contamination on taxis-to-food behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans Support Protocol 1: Synchronization of C. elegans by hand-picking gravid worms Support Protocol 2: Synchronization of C. elegans by using a bleaching solution

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Avoidance behavior independent of innate-immune signaling seen in Caenorhabditis elegans challenged with Bacillus anthracis

Cited by 8 publications

References 46 publications

Silkworm model for Bacillus anthracis infection and virulence determination

Silkworm model for Bacillus anthracis infection and virulence determination

Overview of Chemotaxis Behavior Assays in Caenorhabditis elegans

Measurement of the Effects of Metals on Taxis‐to‐Food Behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans

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