Histopathological observations and comparative transcriptome analysis of Ophiocordyceps sinensis infection of Hepialus xiaojinensis in the early stage

Hepialus xiaojinensis is a Lepidopteran insect and one of the hosts for the artificial cultivation of Cordyceps. Ophiocordyceps sinensis can infect and coexist with H. xiaojinensis larvae for a long time. Little studies focused on the interaction process through its early infection stage. In this research, we particularly study the interaction of infected and uninfected larvae in the 3rd (OS-3, CK-3) and 4th (OS-4, CK-4) instars. O. sinensis was distributed within the larvae and accompanied by pathological changes in some tissue structures. In response to O. sinensis infection, OS-3 enhanced the antioxidant defense ability, while OS-4 decreased. The transcriptome analysis showed that OS-3 resisted the invasion of O. sinensis by the immune and nervous systems. Correspondingly, OS-4 reduced immune response and utilized more energy for growth and development. This study provides a comprehensive resource for analyzing the mechanism of H. xiaojinensis and O. sinensis interaction.