However, herein low CTX did not alter hemocytic cAMP even though hemocyte–glass and bacteria removal from the hemolymph was diminished and microaggregation enhanced. The effects of the holotoxin and its subunits on G. mellonella hemocytes appear to be cAMP-independent since levels of intracellular cAMP remain constant despite increasing physiological concentrations and increased only at a pharmacological level of CTX but not for CTB and decreased with CTA. In terms of vertebrate immunocytes, selleck screening library CTX cAMP-independent effects

are known to inhibit proliferation of B cells [31] and transmembrane signaling of Ca2+-stimulation of rat lymphocytes [25] and Jurkat cells [36]. CTB boosts innate immunity of murine B cells and macrophages

by cAMP-independent mechanisms increasing the phosphorylation of MEK1/2, ERH1/2 and p38 [63]. The mode of action of CTB on hemocytes is not clear, however, the effects of CTX on Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts are attributed to CTB binding to GM1 gangliosides elevating intracellular Ca2+ without modifying protein kinase C or phosphoinositides [13] and [67], the Ca2+ entering through L-channel modification by GM1 gangliosides as occurs in neuroblastoma cells [15]. Extracellular Ca2+ entering G. mellonella hemocytes check details via L-like channels stimulates hemocyte–glass adhesion [82]. Plasmatocyte phagocytosis of yeasts [6] and adhesion is enhanced by extracellular Ca2+ influx [82] but individual granular cell adhesion to slides is not [71]. However, both studies did not assess microaggregation. Extracellular Ca2+ cAMP is relevant to granular cell microaggregation with subsequent migration of plasmatocytes since calcium chelators and Ca2+-free buffers prevent hemocytic aggregations and granular cell cytoplasmic discharge [6]. CTX and CTB do not stimulate intracellular release of Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum of vertebrate immunocytes [25] but chemically-generated intracellular Ca2+ release favours individual hemocyte adhesion [82].

Thus CTX and CTB may limit individual hemocyte types or subtypes adhering to glass by increasing cation influx while stimulating granular cell microaggregation. Alternatively Ca2+-influx might enhance microaggregation only making fewer cells available for adhesion to glass. CTB activates tyrosine kinases of macrophages eliciting TNF-α release [26] but inactive protein tyrosine kinases are required for G. mellonella hemocyte adhesive activities [82]. The results likely reflect differences in cell types since CTB differently affects endotoxin-stimulated macrophages and monocytes [63]. Results may be attributed also to the different types of enzyme inhibitors used altering different isoforms of the enzymes producing different effects. G.