Differential modulation of Rhodnius prolixus nitric oxide activities following challenge with Trypanosoma rangeli, T. cruzi and bacterial cell wall components

Nitric oxide (NO) is a key immune effector and signaling molecule in many organisms. However, the contribution NO makes towards insect immunity has received little attention, particularly in non-dipteran species. In this study, tissue- and time-specific alterations in NO synthase (NOS) gene expression and NO production were documented in the hemipteran vector of Chagas’ disease, Rhodnius prolixus, following in vivo immune challenge by Trypanosoma cruzi, T. rangeli and crude bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The most pronounced reactions to crude LPS occurred in major immune tissues (fat body and blood cells), while tissues of the digestive tract were most responsive to infections by T. cruzi and T. rangeli. The data suggest the NO-mediated immune responses of R. prolixus are pathogen-specific and independently modified both at the transcriptional and enzyme levels.