A parental transcriptional response to microsporidia infection induces inherited immunity in offspring

• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf3114
• Publication Date: 2021-05-05T19:37:59Z
• Authors: Alexandra R. Willis; Winnie Zhao; Ronesh Sukhdeo; Lina Wadi; Hala Tamim El Jar...; Julie M. Claycomb; Aaron W. Reinke
• Keywords: Intracellular parasite; Maternal effect

Parental infection can result in the production of offspring with enhanced immunity phenotypes. Critically, mechanisms underlying inherited are poorly understood. Here, we show that Caenorhabditis elegans infected intracellular microsporidian parasite N. parisii produce progeny resistant to microsporidia infection. We determine kinetics response and intergenerational prevents host-cell invasion by Nematocida enhances survival bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa demonstrate is induced parental transcriptional infection, which be mimicked through maternal somatic depletion PALS-22 retinoblastoma protein ortholog, LIN-35. find other biotic abiotic stresses (viral cadmium exposure) induce a similar as also progeny. Together, our results reveal how signal distinct stimuli protect against multiple classes pathogens.