Nature Communications (Nov 2022)

High-throughput screening of caterpillars as a platform to study host–microbe interactions and enteric immunity

  • Anton G. Windfelder,
  • Frank H. H. Müller,
  • Benedict Mc Larney,
  • Michael Hentschel,
  • Anna Christina Böhringer,
  • Christoph-Rüdiger von Bredow,
  • Florian H. Leinberger,
  • Marian Kampschulte,
  • Lorenz Maier,
  • Yvette M. von Bredow,
  • Vera Flocke,
  • Hans Merzendorfer,
  • Gabriele A. Krombach,
  • Andreas Vilcinskas,
  • Jan Grimm,
  • Tina E. Trenczek,
  • Ulrich Flögel

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-34865-7
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 1
pp. 1 – 17

Abstract

Read online

Here, combining diagnostic imaging modalities and in vivo assays, Windfelder and colleagues established tobacco hornworm larvae Manduca sexta as an alternative high-throughput platform to study the innate immunity of the gut and host-pathogen interactions. Using the platform, the authors identify mediators of gut inflammation, differentiate pathogens from gut mutualist bacteria, and demonstrate pharmacological interventions.