Interplay between trauma and Pseudomonas entomophila infection in flies: a central role of the JNK pathway and of CrebA.

In mammals, both sterile wounding and infection induce inflammation and activate the innate immune system, and the combination of both challenges may lead to severe health defects, revealing the importance of the balance between the intensity and resolution of the inflammatory response for the organism's fitness. Underlying mechanisms remain however elusive. Using Drosophila, we show that, upon infection with the entomopathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas entomophila (Pe), a sterile wounding induces a reduced resistance and increased host mortality.

Tissue specific RNA isolation in Drosophila embryos: a strategy to analyze context dependent transcriptome landscapes using FACS.

The Hox family of transcription factors defines cell identity along the A/P axis of animal body plan by modulating expression of distinct sets of target genes in a tissue specific manner. Identifying such tissue specific target genes is indispensable if one wants to understand how Hox proteins mediate their context dependent function. Genome wide analysis of transcriptional activity in different tissues and contexts regarding Hox genes activity could help in reaching this goal.

Spotting the differences: probing host/microbiota interactions with a dedicated software tool for the analysis of faecal outputs in Drosophila.

The intestinal physiology of Drosophila melanogaster can be monitored in an integrative, non-invasive manner by analysing graphical features of the excreta produced by flies fed on a dye-supplemented diet. This assay has been used by various labs to explore gut function and its regulation. To facilitate its use, we present here a free, stand-alone dedicated software tool for the analysis of fly excreta.

Drosophila microbiota modulates host metabolic gene expression via IMD/NF-κB signaling.

Most metazoans engage in mutualistic interactions with their intestinal microbiota. Despite recent progress the molecular mechanisms through which microbiota exerts its beneficial influences on host physiology are still largely uncharacterized. Here we use axenic Drosophila melanogaster adults associated with a standardized microbiota composed of a defined set of commensal bacterial strains to study the impact of microbiota association on its host transcriptome.

Host-intestinal microbiota mutualism: "learning on the fly".

Given the complexity of the mammalian microbiota, there is a need for simple models to decipher the effector and regulatory mechanisms underlying host/microbiota mutualism. Approaches using Drosophila and its simple microbiota carry the potential to unravel the evolutionarily conserved mechanisms engaged in this association. Here, we review recent work carried out in this model, providing insights and exciting perspectives.

Lactobacillus plantarum promotes Drosophila systemic growth by modulating hormonal signals through TOR-dependent nutrient sensing.

There is growing evidence that intestinal bacteria are important beneficial partners of their metazoan hosts. Recent observations suggest a strong link between commensal bacteria, host energy metabolism, and metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. As a consequence, the gut microbiota is now considered a "host" factor that influences energy uptake.

Genetic ablation of Drosophila phagocytes reveals their contribution to both development and resistance to bacterial infection.

Drosophila phagocytes participate in development and immune responses through their abilities to perform phagocytosis and/or secrete extra-cellular matrix components, antimicrobial peptides, clotting factors and signalling molecules. However, our knowledge of their functional impact on development and host resistance to infection is limited. To address this, we have used a genetic cell ablation strategy to generate Drosophila individuals lacking functional phagocytes.