Together with Mike Strand from the University of Georgia, Julián Hillyer authored a review on mosquito hemocyte biology that was published today in Current Opinion in Insect Science.

Article citation:

Hillyer, J.F., and M.R. Strand. 2014. Mosquito hemocyte-mediated immune responses. Current Opinion in Insect Science. 3:14-21

(PubMed) (See it in COIS) (Email me for a pdf copy)

Graphical abstract:

Article abstract:

Hemocytes are a key component of the mosquito immune system that kill pathogens via phagocytic, lytic and melanization pathways. Individual mosquitoes contain between 500 and 4000 hemocytes, which are divided into three populations named granulocytes, oenocytoids and prohemocytes. Hemocytes can also be divided by their anatomical location with 75% of hemocytes circulating in the hemocoel (circulating hemocytes) and 25% of hemocytes attaching themselves to tissues (sessile hemocytes). Greater than 85% of the hemocytes in adult mosquitoes are granulocytes, which primarily kill pathogens by phagocytosis or lysis. Oenocytoids, on the other hand, are the major producers of the enzymes required for melanization while prohemocytes are small cells that participate in phagocytosis. Both circulating and sessile hemocytes engage in defense against pathogens. The circulatory system of mosquitoes also interacts with hemocytes and facilitates elimination of potential pathogens that enter the hemocoel.

(This post was modified on 9/30/2014 to include the full citation of the article and post the cover of the journal issue)