Gene Expression Contributes to the Recent Evolution of Host Resistance in a Model Host Parasite System

Frontiers in Immunology

Brian K. Lohman¹  Daniel I. Bolnick¹  Natalie C. Steinel²  Jesse N. Weber³ 

[1] Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States;Department of Medical Education, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States;Division of Biological Sciences, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States;

关键词: gene expression;    host–parasite;    ecoimmunology;    stickleback;    reactive oxygen species;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fimmu.2017.01071

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Heritable population differences in immune gene expression following infection can reveal mechanisms of host immune evolution. We compared gene expression in infected and uninfected threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) from two natural populations that differ in resistance to a native cestode parasite, Schistocephalus solidus. Genes in both the innate and adaptive immune system were differentially expressed as a function of host population, infection status, and their interaction. These genes were enriched for loci controlling immune functions known to differ between host populations or in response to infection. Coexpression network analysis identified two distinct processes contributing to resistance: parasite survival and suppression of growth. Comparing networks between populations showed resistant fish have a dynamic expression profile while susceptible fish are static. In summary, recent evolutionary divergence between two vertebrate populations has generated population-specific gene expression responses to parasite infection, affecting parasite establishment and growth.

【 授权许可】

Unknown