Apis mellifera haemocytes in-vitro: What type of cells are they? Functional analysis before and after pupal metamorphosis

NEGRI, P.; MAGGI, M.; SZAWARSKI, N.; LAMATTINA, L.; EGUARAS, M.

JOURNAL OF APICULTURAL RESEARCH

INT BEE RESEARCH ASSOC

Año: 2014 vol. 53 p. 576 - 589

0021-8839

The honey bee Apis mellifera is affected by many parasites posing a serious threat to our ecosystem, agriculture and apiculture. The study of A. mellifera immune response represents a great complement for developing integrated disease management strategies. This work presents updated data concerning the in vitro cellular immune response of A. mellifera fifth instar larvae (L5) and newly emerged workers (W). Haemocytes from A. mellifera L5 and W clearly displayed different appearance in-vitro. The blood cells from these two developmental stages yielded behavioural differences regarding attachment and spreading. However, haemocytes extracted from L5 and W exhibited strong similarities with respect to their general (multicellular) behavioural pattern. This multi-haemolytic process, triggered after glass contact, could result from an encapsulation-like response. At the same time, an experimental system for studying A. mellifera cellular immunity in-vitro upon recognition of glass surfaces and haemolytic encapsulation response is herein developed.