A β integrin subunit regulates bacterial phagocytosis in medfly haemocytes.

We have recently reported that the activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and its downstream targets upon pathogen challenge regulate phagocytosis in medfly haemocytes. The goal of this study was to further explore the signalling pathway underlying the process of phagocytosis. In particular, in this report, we used flow cytometry, RNA interference, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot and immunoprecipitation analysis to demonstrate the haemocyte surface receptor, through which the extracellular signals in response to bacteria are transmitted intracellularly. The presented data demonstrate the expression of a β integrin subunit in the surface of medfly haemocytes that transmits signals upon pathogen triggering to FAK and its downstream targets, Src, MAP kinases and Elk-1-like protein, for the engulfment of pathogen. Interestingly LPS is not internalized through integrins.