Écologie évolutive du transfert trans-générationnel d’immunité chez un insecte

Caroline Zanchi soutiendra sa thèse le lundi 17 décembre 2012 à 14 h 30, amphithéâtre Monge.

Résumé

Trans-generational immune priming (TGIP) is defined as the plastic enhancement of offspring’s immunocompetence following an immune challenge of the females of the parental generation. In vertebrates, this phenomenon is well described, and is achieved by the maternal transfer of antibodies. In invertebrates however, it has only recently been described. Since invertebrates do not possess antibodies, the mechanism of this transmission remains unknown.

If the offspring is exposed to the maternal infection, an elevated immunocompetence can help it cope better with it. Nonetheless, apart from this benefit, several cues indicate that the TGIP bears some fitness costs for individuals. The evolution of TGIP will be favoured when its benefits outweigh its fitness costs. Thus, studying its costs and benefits can lead us to a better understanding of the selection pressures that lead to its evolution in invertebrates.

During my thesis, I associated the occurrence of TGIP in an insect, the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor, to several fitness costs for the females transmitting it as well as for the offspring receiving it.

Composition du jury

Benjamin Gourbal, université de Perpignan – examinateur

Yanis Michalakis, CNRS, université de Montpellier II – rapporteur

Jérôme Moreau, université de Bourgogne – co-directeur

Yannick Moret, CNRS, université de Bourgogne – directeur

Thierry Rigaud, CNRS, université de Bourgogne – examinateur

Paul Schmid-Hempel, ETH Zürich – rapporteur

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Écologie évolutive du transfert trans-générationnel d'immunité chez un insecte

Caroline Zanchi soutiendra sa thèse le lundi 17 décembre 2012 à 14 h 30, amphithéâtre Monge.

Résumé

Trans-generational immune priming (TGIP) is defined as the plastic enhancement of offspring's immunocompetence following an immune challenge of the females of the parental generation. In vertebrates, this phenomenon is well described, and is achieved by the maternal transfer of antibodies. In invertebrates however, it has only recently been described. Since invertebrates do not possess antibodies, the mechanism of this transmission remains unknown.

If the offspring is exposed to the maternal infection, an elevated immunocompetence can help it cope better with it. Nonetheless, apart from this benefit, several cues indicate that the TGIP bears some fitness costs for individuals. The evolution of TGIP will be favoured when its benefits outweigh its fitness costs. Thus, studying its costs and benefits can lead us to a better understanding of the selection pressures that lead to its evolution in invertebrates.

During my thesis, I associated the occurrence of TGIP in an insect, the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor, to several fitness costs for the females transmitting it as well as for the offspring receiving it.

Composition du jury

Benjamin Gourbal, université de Perpignan – examinateur

Yanis Michalakis, CNRS, université de Montpellier II – rapporteur

Jérôme Moreau, université de Bourgogne – co-directeur

Yannick Moret, CNRS, université de Bourgogne – directeur

Thierry Rigaud, CNRS, université de Bourgogne – examinateur

Paul Schmid-Hempel, ETH Zürich – rapporteur