Disruption of insect immunity using analogs of the pleiotropic insect peptide hormone Neb-colloostatin: a nanotech approach for pest control II

Abstract

This work continues our studies on the pleiotropic activity of the insect peptide Neb-colloostatin in insects. In vivo immunological bioassays demonstrated that hemocytotoxic analogs of Neb-colloostatin injected into Tenebrio molitor significantly reduced the number of hemocytes in the hemolymph and impaired phagocytosis, nodulation and phenoloxidase activities in the insects. Among the analogs tested, [Ala1]-,[Val1]-, [Hyp4]- and [Ach4]-colloostatin were particularly potent in disrupting cellular immunity in larvae, pupae and adult insects. This result suggests that the most effective analogs showed increases in the bioactivity period in the hemolymph of insects when compared to Neb-colloostatin. Recently, we demonstrated that it is possible to introduce Neb-colloostatin through the cuticle of an insect into the hemolymph when the peptide is coupled with nanodiamonds. In this study, we showed that [Ala1]-, [Val1]-, [Hyp4]- and [Ach4]-colloostatin, when complexed with nanodiamonds, may also pass through the cuticle into the hemolymph and induce long-term impairments of immunity in T. molitor at all developmental stages. Studies on the tissue selectivity and effectiveness of Neb-colloostatin analogs and efficient methods for their introduction into insects may contribute to the development of eco-friendly pest control methods based on bioactive peptidomimetics.

Veni, Vidi, Vici: Immobilized Peptide-Based Conjugates as Tools for Capture, Analysis, and Transformation

“…In our work, we demonstrated that nanodiamonds coupled with Neb-colloostatin (SIVPLGLPVPIG-PIVVGPR), an insect hemocytotoxic and gonadoinhibitory peptide isolated from the ovaries of the gray flesh fly Neobellieria bullata, can penetrate the insect cuticle. In various in vivo bioassays, we showed that this conjugate introduced into the hemocoel of the insect through the cuticle retained specific hemocytotoxic activity and disturbed the cellular and humoral immune responses of all the developmental stages of the Tenebrio molitor beetle [200].…”

In vivo study on borophene nanoflakes interaction with Tenebrio molitor beetle: viability of hemocytes and short-term immunity effect

“…The hemocytes of insects freely circulating in the open circulation system of insects show numerous structural and functional similarities to mammalian white blood cells 34 and are very sensitive to the action of various biotic and abiotic factors 34 . For this reason, they are a perfect model for the in vivo detection of cytotoxic effects induced by nanomaterials 27 – 29 . There are a lot of reports in the current state of the art that graphene nanomaterials, after entering the body with blood and/or passing through physiological barriers, reach various organs, where they accumulate to a different extent.…”

“…Therefore, in this study, we examined in vivo effect of borophene nanoflakes on the viability and function of the insect's immunocompetent cells (hemocytes) and their ability to produce ROS in these cells. The tests of the biocompatibility of borophene nanoflakes were conducted on the insect Tenebrio molitor 26 , which is a convenient experimental model for comprehensive in vivo studies of the effects of nanoparticles on various physiological parameters crucial for animal life 27 – 29 . Furthermore, the insect hemocytes present numerous structural and functional similarities to mammalian white blood cells which makes it even more interesting to study.…”

Synthesis of Tungsten Oxide, Iron Oxide, and Copper-Doped Iron Oxide Nanocomposites and Evaluation of Their Mixing Effects with Cyromazine against Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval)

“…536709) and showed shutdown of specific genes but without any effect on the toxicity indicator gene. Nowicki et al 73 used Neb-colloostatin for eco-friendly pest control. They found that this type of hormone can cause immune disturbance for the treated insects and could help in insect control, especially on Tenebriomolitor.…”