Dynamics of immune system gene expression upon bacterial challenge and wounding in a social insect (Bombus terrestris).
The innate immune system which helps individuals to combat pathogens comprises a set of genes representing four immune system pathways (Toll, Imd, JNK and JAK/STAT).There is a lack of immune genes in social insects (e.g.honeybees) when compared to Diptera.Potentially, this might be compensated by an advanced system of social immunity (synergistic a