›› 2009, Vol. 52 ›› Issue (7): 791-798.doi:

• RESEARCH PAPERS • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Phagocytosis, nodulation and encapsulation in cellular immune responses in insects

WU Shan, LING Er-Jun   

  1. (Center for Insect Science, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China)
  • Online:2009-07-20 Published:2009-07-20

Abstract: Cellular immunity that includes phagocytosis, nodulation and encapsulation mediated by hemocytes is a very important part of the innate immune system in insects. In this article we reviewed the current understanding of cellular immune responses in insects. We summarized the hemocyte types involved in cellular immunity, some cellular receptors that recognize different microbes and multicellular parasites, and some enzymes and chemicals that can affect the immune activity. We also discussed the modes of hemocyte-mediated phagocytosis and the morphological change of hemocytes during the progress of nodulation and encapsulation.

Key words: Insect, immune response, cellular immunity, hemocytes, phagocytosis, nodulation, encapsulation