Multi-walled carbon nanotubes enhanced fungal colonization and suppressed innate immune response to fungal infection in nematodes

Abstract

genes encoding the p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, and inhibited translational expression of PMK-1::GFP in the intestine and phosphorylation of PMK-1. Epistasis assays showed that MWCNTs required the involvement of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway mediated by a NSY-1-SEK-1-PMK-1 cascade to enhance the toxicity of fungal infection, increase fungal colony formation, and suppress innate immune response. Thus, our results suggest that MWCNTs may possess immunoinhibitory effects by affecting the functions of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Our study also provides meaningful insights into the role of innate immune system of hosts against the toxicity of environmental toxicants.