Progress in insect resistance to viral invasion

Abstract:

Insects lack the acquired immune system in higher animals and rely on the innate immune system (humoral immunity and cellular immunity) to combat pathogen infection. Humoral immunity is a major antiviral mechanism in insects, involving Toll-like receptor (TLR), immunodeficiency (IMD), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling pathways. These pathways play an essential role in the antiviral invasion. Additionally, DNA damage response (DDR) is also an effective mechanism of antiviral defense in insects. It can block a series of cell signaling pathways by initiating cell cycle arrest, triggering cell apoptosis or aging in the host. We summarized the roles of JAK-STAT signaling pathway and DDR in the antiviral invasion of insects. Understanding the interactions between pathogens and insects can help us to not only understand the molecular mechanism of insects blocking viral invasion but also lay a foundation for us to find new targets for antiviral invasion.