The insect tracheal system: a conduit for the systemic spread of Autographa californica M nuclear polyhedrosis virus.

摘要: Baculoviruses establish systemic infections within susceptible insect hosts, even though host tissues are surrounded by basal laminae, extracellular matrices that exclude particles smaller than these viruses. Using a recombinant Autographa californica M nuclear polyhedrosis virus containing lacZ reporter gene under the control of constitutive promoter, we followed progression infection in Trichoplusia ni larvae. We discovered larval tracheal system (and not hemocytes, as thought previously) provides major conduit for this to pass through laminae and spread throughout host. Tracheal epidermal cells, only known cellular components system, share common lymph system. Locally cells contact one another interdigitating cytoplasmic extensions called feet. These two features likely facilitate rapid virus. The findings reported here have implications fields pathology biological usher an important consideration regarding host-range factors.