The Drosophila immune response to parasitic nematode infection factors

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is extensively used as a model species in biomedical research. It is also widely studied for its innate immune system to expand our understanding of immune host defenses against numerous pathogens. More precisely, studies using both natural and nonnatural Drosophila pathogens have provided a better perspective of pathogen infection strategies and immunity processes than any other model organism. The entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis and Steinernema form mutualistic complexes with Gram-negative bacteria. These insect parasites have emerged as excellent research tools for studying nematode pathogenicity and elucidating the features that allow them to persist and multiply within the insect host. Recent work has demonstrated the power of using the Drosophila infection model to identify novel parasitic nematode infection factors and elucidate the genetic and functional bases of host antinematode defense. Here, I will describe the interaction of Drosophila with recently characterized entomopathogenic nematode secreted virulence factors that each contributes to infection through modulation of host responses. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of nematode infection and host anti-nematode processes will lead to the development of novel means for parasitic nematode control.