Identification and characterization of a gene involved in the encapsulation response of Helicoverpa armigera haemocytes.

Encapsulation is a kind of cellular immune response of insect haemocytes, which results in the formation of capsules around invading parasites. However, the molecular mechanism of this response is largely unknown. In this study, we identified a potential immune-related gene in the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, called defence protein 1 (Ha-DFP1). A tissue distribution analysis revealed that Ha-DFP1 protein was expressed in haemocytes and secreted into the haemolymph of Helic. armigera larvae. The Ha-DFP1 mRNA transcript level in haemocytes and the concentration of the Ha-DFP1 protein in haemolymph both increased after injecting chromatography beads. Purified recombinant Ha-DFP1 bound to the surface of haemocytes and promoted haemocyte encapsulation on chromatography beads in vitro. The spreading ability of haemocytes was inhibited when Ha-DFP1 expression in Helic. armigera larval haemocytes decreased in response to the injection of double-stranded RNA specific to Ha-DFP1, and the encapsulation ability of haemocytes was impaired. Based on these results, we speculate that Ha-DFP1 plays an important role in the Helic. armigera encapsulation response, possibly by binding to the haemocyte surface and mediating spreading behaviour.