From pathogen to a commensal: modification of the Microbacterium nematophilum-Caenorhabditis elegans interaction during chronic infection by the absence of host insulin signalling.

ABSTRACT: The nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans depends on microbes in decaying vegetation as its food source. To survive in an environment rich in opportunistic pathogens, Celegans has evolved an epithelial defence system where surface-exposed tissues such as epidermis, pharynx, intestine, vulva and hindgut have the capacity of eliciting appropriate immune defences to acute gut infection. However, it is unclear how the worm responds to chronic intestinal infections. To this end, we have surveyed Celegans mutants that are involved in inflammation, immunity and longevity to find their phenotypes during chronic infection. Worms that grew in a monoculture of the natural pathogen Microbacterium nematophilum (CBX102 strain) had a reduced lifespan and vigour. This was independent of intestinal colonisa

SUBMITTER: Gravato-Nobre M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7561485 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature