Ingestion of Bacillus cereus spores dampens the immune response to favor bacterial persistence.

Strains of the Bacillus cereus (Bc) group are sporulating bacteria commonly associated with foodborne outbreaks. Spores are dormant cells highly resistant to extreme conditions. Nevertheless, the pathological processes associated with the ingestion of either vegetative cells or spores remain poorly understood.

toxins divert progenitor cells toward enteroendocrine fate by decreasing cell adhesion with intestinal stem cells in .

subsp. () is a strong pathogen toward lepidopteran larvae thanks to specific Cry toxins causing leaky gut phenotypes. Hence, and its toxins are used worldwide as microbial insecticide and in genetically modified crops, respectively, to fight crop pests.

Differential side-effects of Bacillus thuringiensis bioinsecticide on non-target Drosophila flies.

Bioinsecticides based on Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spores and toxins are increasingly popular alternative solutions to control insect pests, with potential impact of their accumulation in the environment on non-target organisms. Here, we tested the effects of chronic exposure to commercial Bt formulations (Bt var. kurstaki and israelensis) on eight non-target Drosophila species present in Bt-treated areas, including D.

Protease Activity Assay in Fly Intestines.

The intestine is a central organ required for the digestion of food, the absorption of nutrients and for fighting against aggressors ingested along with the food. Impairment of gut physiology following mucosal damages impacts its digestive capacities that consequently will affect growth, wellbeing or even survival of the individual. Hence, the assessment of intestinal functions encompasses, among others, the monitoring of its integrity, its cellular renewing, its immune defenses, the production of enteroendocrine hormones and its digestive capacities.

Apoptosis restores cellular density by eliminating a physiologically or genetically induced excess of enterocytes in the midgut.

Using pathogens or high levels of opportunistic bacteria to damage the gut, studies in have identified many signaling pathways involved in gut regeneration. Dying cells emit signaling molecules that accelerate intestinal stem cell proliferation and progenitor differentiation to replace the dying cells quickly. This process has been named 'regenerative cell death'.