10.5061/DRYAD.BK537
Jackson, Joseph A.
Aberystwyth University
Hall, Amy J.
University of Nottingham
Friberg, Ida M.
University of Nottingham
University of Liverpool
Ralli, Catriona
University of Nottingham
Lowe, Anne
Zawadzka, Malgorzata
University of Liverpool
Turner, Andrew K.
University of Liverpool
Stewart, Alexander
Aberystwyth University
Birtles, Richard J.
University of Salford
Paterson, Steve
University of Liverpool
Bradley, Janette E.
University of Nottingham
Begon, Mike
University of Liverpool
Lowe, Ann
University of Nottingham
Data from: An immunological marker of tolerance to infection in wild rodents
Dryad
dataset
2015
Vole
Rodent
present day
Gata3
Immunology
Microtus agrestis
Tolerance
2015-06-06T00:00:00Z
2015-06-06T00:00:00Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.1001901
4838912 bytes
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CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Hosts are likely to respond to parasitic infections by a combination of
resistance (expulsion of pathogens) and tolerance (active mitigation of
pathology). Of these strategies, the basis of tolerance in animal hosts is
relatively poorly understood, with especially little known about how
tolerance is manifested in natural populations. We monitored a natural
population of field voles using longitudinal and cross-sectional sampling
modes and taking measurements on body condition, infection, immune gene
expression, and survival. Using analyses stratified by life history stage,
we demonstrate a pattern of tolerance to macroparasites in mature compared
to immature males. In comparison to immature males, mature males resisted
infection less and instead increased investment in body condition in
response to accumulating burdens, but at the expense of reduced
reproductive effort. We identified expression of the transcription factor
Gata3 (a mediator of Th2 immunity) as an immunological biomarker of this
tolerance response. Time series data for individual animals suggested that
macroparasite infections gave rise to increased expression of Gata3, which
gave rise to improved body condition and enhanced survival as hosts aged.
These findings provide a clear and unexpected insight into tolerance
responses (and their life history sequelae) in a natural vertebrate
population. The demonstration that such responses (potentially promoting
parasite transmission) can move from resistance to tolerance through the
course of an individual's lifetime emphasises the need to incorporate
them into our understanding of the dynamics and risk of infection in the
natural environment. Moreover, the identification of Gata3 as a marker of
tolerance to macroparasites raises important new questions regarding the
role of Th2 immunity and the mechanistic nature of the tolerance response
itself. A more manipulative, experimental approach is likely to be
valuable in elaborating this further.
Cross-sectional databaseData for cross-sectional element of
studyLongitudinal database
Kielder Forest
U.K.
Northumberland