Definition ofDrosophilahemocyte subsets by cell-type specific antigens

Abstract

We analyzed the heterogeneity of Drosophila hemocytes on the basis of the expression of cell-type specific antigens. The antigens characterize distinct subsets which partially overlap with those defined by morphological criteria. On the basis of the expression or the lack of expression of blood cell antigens the following hemocyte populations have been defined: crystal cells, plasmatocytes, lamellocytes and precursor cells. The expression of the antigens and thus the different cell types are developmentally regulated. The hemocytes are arranged in four main compartments: the circulating blood cells, the sessile tissue, the lymph glands and the posterior hematopoietic tissue. Each hemocyte compartment has a specific and characteristic composition of the various cell types. The described markers represent the first successful attempt to define hemocyte lineages by immunological markers in Drosophila and help to define morphologically, functionally, spatially and developmentally distinct subsets of hemocytes.

Dynamic regulation of innate immune responses in Drosophila by Senju-mediated glycosylation

“…Therefore, we investigated whether normal hematopoiesis occurs in senju 1 . Normally, at the late third-instar larval stage, progenitor hemocytes mature into plasmatocytes, crystal cells, and lamellocytes in the lymph gland (13); thus, lymph glands from WT and senju 1 larvae were stained with anti-Nimrod C (a marker of plasmatocytes) (14) and anti-L1 (a marker of lamellocytes) (15) antibodies. In immunologically unchallenged WT larvae, most of the differentiated hemocytes were plasmatocytes, which were located along the outer edge of the lymph gland (Fig.…”

Kicking it up a Notch for the best in show: Scalloped leads Yorkie into the haematopoietic arena

“…Several studies have previously identified clusters of sessile hemocytes attached in iterative patterns along the larval cuticle. 2,37,38 These hemocytes are maintained by a niche, 39 express differentiation markers such as hml, and are capable of differentiating into mature hemocyte lineages. A recent report demonstrated that these sessile hemocytes can express the Notch ligand Serrate which is required to signal fellow sessile hemocytes into the crystal cell lineage.…”

In vivo detection of lamellocytes in Drosophila melanogaster

“…1A, arrowheads) showing up as a background fluorescence appearing in all stocks carrying the MiET1 element [16]. The insertion blocks the expression of the Atilla protein encoded by the atilla gene, but does not affect the expression of other, independent lamellocyte-specific markers [10], as L2 and L6 (Fig. 1B,C).…”

“…Recently Drosophila became a powerful model organism for studying blood cell development and cellular events of innate immunity. The cellular elements of innate immunity, the blood cells or hemocytes in Drosophila, have been characterized by morphological criteria and molecular markers, including transcription factors [6,7] and cell-type specific immunological markers [8][9][10]. In Drosophila, at least three main classes of hemocytes can be discerned.…”

“…1A, arrows) as well as in hemocyte overproducing mutants. The use of a panel of lamellocyte specific markers [10] showed that the expression of GFP is specific for/to? lamellocytes.…”