Hemocyte morphology and cellular immune response in termite (Reticulitermes speratus)

Abstract

Because termites (Reticulitermes speratus) are very small, it is difficult to conduct experiments involving pathogen injection and hemocyte collection. Therefore, to observe hemocyte-mediated immune responses against foreign substances, in vitro hemocyte culture is essential. After collecting about 3 μl of hemolymph, hemocytes were cultured for 7 d, during which the cells maintained full function. Four types of hemocyte were identified, namely, granulocytes, plasmatocytes, oenocytoids, and prohemocytes, among which granulocytes are the main immune hemocytes that fight invasion by foreign substances. Most hemocytes were alive and/or functioning after 7 d of culture, but then either died or lost function.