Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40722160›Full record

ArticleBMC biology2025

Immune priming in the insect gut: a dynamic response revealed by ultrastructural and transcriptomic changes.

Moritz Baur, Nora K E Schulz, Lilo Greune, Zoe M Länger, Jürgen Eirich, Iris Finkemeier, Robert Peuß, Petra Dersch, Joachim Kurtz

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC biology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Infection and immunity · 2025
    Article
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Moritz BaurInstitute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstrasse 1, 48149, Münster, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0575-3250
Nora K E SchulzInstitute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstrasse 1, 48149, Münster, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3681-720X
Lilo GreuneCenter for Molecular Biology of Inflammation, University of Münster, Von-Esmarch-Strasse 56, 48149, Münster, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6228-4657
Zoe M LängerInstitute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstrasse 1, 48149, Münster, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-4110-6593
Jürgen EirichInstitute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Münster, Schlossplatz 7, 48143, Münster, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0963-1872
Iris FinkemeierInstitute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Münster, Schlossplatz 7, 48143, Münster, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8972-4026
Robert PeußInstitute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstrasse 1, 48149, Münster, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9716-6650
Petra DerschCenter for Molecular Biology of Inflammation, University of Münster, Von-Esmarch-Strasse 56, 48149, Münster, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8177-3280
Joachim KurtzInstitute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstrasse 1, 48149, Münster, Germany. joachim.kurtz@uni-muenster.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7258-459X

Funding

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft 281125614
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundResearch on forms of memory in innate immune systems has recently gained momentum with the study of trained immunity in vertebrates and immune priming in invertebrates. Immune priming is an evolutionary ancient process that confers protection against previously encountered pathogens. However, despite the existence of immune priming across many invertebrate taxa, evolution and mechanisms of immune priming are still not well understood. Moreover, it is unclear how natural pathogens might elicit immune priming in their hosts.

resultsHere we combine RNA sequencing with transmission electron microscopy to investigate the dynamic processes during priming in the gut of a well-established model for oral immune priming, consisting of the host Tribolium castaneum and its natural pathogen Bacillus thuringiensis tenebrionis (Btt). We show that priming with specific, pathogen-derived virulence-relevant factors induces gut damage in T. castaneum larvae, triggering an early physiological stress response and upregulation of a distinct set of immune genes. This response diminishes over time yet enables the gut to upregulate genes known to interfere with Btt virulence when later exposed to infectious Btt spores.

conclusionsOur findings demonstrate that pathogen-derived factors inducing gut damage and stress responses prime gut tissue to provide more efficient protection against infection. These insights deepen our understanding of the mechanisms driving innate immune memory, which likely evolved as an adaptive response to natural pathogens.

Indexed as

Bacillus thuringiensisGastrointestinal TractImmunity, InnateTranscriptomeTriboliumAnimalsHost-Pathogen InteractionsLarvaBacillus thuringiensisEvolution of immunityInnate immune memoryInsectInvertebratePathogenVirulence

Identifiers

PMID40722160
PMCPMC12306008

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.