Additional file 4: of Impact of Trypanosoma cruzi on antimicrobial peptide gene expression and activity in the fat body and midgut of Rhodnius prolixus

Defensin C relative gene expression in the anterior midgut of Rhodnius prolixus fed on blood containing antibiotics and Trypanosoma cruzi. DefC gene expression in R. prolixus anterior midgut were analysed 7 days after feeding on inactivated blood containing antibiotics (ampicillin 300 μg/ml plus penicillin 300 μg/ml of blood) and T. cruzi Dm 28c clone at a final concentration of 1 × 107 epimastigotes/mL. Treatments: black column-control insects fed only on blood; white column-insects fed on blood containing antibiotics; grid column-insects fed on blood containing T. cruzi; striped columns-insects fed on blood containing antibiotics and T. cruzi. Bars represent the mean ± SEM of 3 independent experiments with 3 pools of insects (n = 3). Means were compared using Student’s T-test; *** p < 0.001, ** p < 0.01, * p < 0.05. (TIF 403 kb)