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Jiang S, Huang X, Li T, Zhang Y, Zhang J. Immune response of large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea towards a recombinant vaccine candidate targeting the parasitic ciliate Cryptocaryon irritans. AQUACULTURE INTERNATIONAL : JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN AQUACULTURE SOCIETY 2023:1-20. [PMID: 37361880 PMCID: PMC10169208 DOI: 10.1007/s10499-023-01131-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Cryptocaryon irritans, a parasitic ciliate, pose a major threat to marine teleost fish aquaculture. So far, no effective and safe control method is available. In this study, the protective efficacy of a recombinant truncated surface antigen of C. irritans (rCiSA32.6t) for large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) against the parasite challenge with a sub-lethal dose of the infective theronts was evaluated by comparing the relative percent survivals (RPS), the specific antibody titers in sera, and the expression levels of the immune-related genes among the negative or adjuvant control fish, fish intraperitoneally immunized with rCiSA32.6t. The results showed that a RPS of 50.1% in rCiSA32.6t-immunized fish was achieved in comparison to negative control fish against C. irritans. A significant increase was noted in the antigen-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin T (IgT) antibody levels in the sera of the rCiSA32.6t-vaccinated fish. Compared to the negative control fish, quantitative real-time PCR analysis indicated that the interleukin-1beta, IgT, and IgM heavy chain mRNA level in the fish head kidney, spleen, gill, and skin tissue were upregulated post-rCiSA32.6t immunization. This study indicates that the rCiSA32.6t can provide a high level of immune protection against C. irritans infection in grouper and is therefore pursued as a candidate C. irritans vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuiqing Jiang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology, College of Life Science, Fujian Normal University, Qishan Campus, Fuzhou, 350117 Fujian China
- Guangdong Medical Valley, Nanjiang 2Nd Road, Zhujiang Street, Nansha District, Guangzhou, 511466 Guangdong China
| | - Xiaohong Huang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology, College of Life Science, Fujian Normal University, Qishan Campus, Fuzhou, 350117 Fujian China
| | - Ting Li
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology, College of Life Science, Fujian Normal University, Qishan Campus, Fuzhou, 350117 Fujian China
| | - Yinan Zhang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology, College of Life Science, Fujian Normal University, Qishan Campus, Fuzhou, 350117 Fujian China
| | - Jingwei Zhang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology, College of Life Science, Fujian Normal University, Qishan Campus, Fuzhou, 350117 Fujian China
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Jiang S, Huang X. Host responses against the fish parasitizing ciliate Cryptocaryon irritans. Parasite Immunol 2023; 45:e12967. [PMID: 36606416 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The parasitic ciliate Cryptocaryon irritans, which infects almost all marine fish species occurring in both tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world. The disease, cryptocaryonosis, accounts for significant economic losses to the aquaculture industry. This review attempts to provide a comprehensive overview of the biology of the parasite, host-parasite interactions and both specific and non-specific host defense mechanisms are responsible for the protection of fish against challenge infections with this ciliate. Also, this article reflects the current interest in this subject area and the quest to develop an available vaccine against the disease. Due to the high frequency of clinical fish cryptocaryonosis, the study of fish immune responses to C. irritans provides an optimal experimental model for understanding immunity against extracellular protozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuiqing Jiang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology, College of Life Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaohong Huang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology, College of Life Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
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Ye Z, Ni W, Zhang J, Zhang Y, Yu L, Huang X. Molecular characterization of a profilin gene from a parasitic ciliate Cryptocaryon irritans. Exp Parasitol 2022; 236-237:108248. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Pan Y, Sun Y, Wang Y, Zhang Z. Barcode sequence could be a good target for developing a species-specific anti-parasite agent based on CRISPR-Cas9. FASEB J 2020; 34:9393-9404. [PMID: 32474999 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000118rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Parasitic infections are a severe issue in many regions of the world. We assume that if a chemical can destroy a DNA barcode sequence, then this chemical could be developed as a species-specific parasiticidal agent. To test this hypothesis, we designed sgRNAs that target the sequences of both a DNA barcode (ITS-2) and a control (5.8S rDNA) in Cryptocaryon irritans. In in vivo tests, we found that exposure to Cas9 mRNA mixed with sgRNAs was able to significantly reduce the hatching rate of tomont and the survival rate of theront. Quantitative Real-time PCR demonstrated that the DNAs of tomont and theront exposed to sgRNAs and Cas9 mRNA were significantly disrupted, no matter whether they were exposed to a single sgRNA or a mixture of two sgRNAs. DNA sequencing also suggested the test group that was exposed to a single sgRNA mixed with Cas9-induced mutation at sgRNA targeted fragments and the test group exposed to two sgRNAs combined with Cas9-induced deletion of large pieces. The findings and principles provided by this study contribute to the development of novel nucleic acid therapeutic drugs for cryptocaryoniasis and other parasitic diseases and provide insight into the development of species-specific parasiticidal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinlai Pan
- College of Animal Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yulong Sun
- College of Animal Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yilei Wang
- College of Fisheries, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
- State Key Laboratory of Large Yellow Croaker Breeding, Ningde, China
| | - Ziping Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Large Yellow Croaker Breeding, Ningde, China
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Characterization and immune regulation role of an immobilization antigen from Cryptocaryon irritans on groupers. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1029. [PMID: 30705292 PMCID: PMC6355922 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25710-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Immobilization antigens (i-antigens) are surface membrane proteins that are widely recognized to be the ideal candidates as vaccines antigens for immunization against Cryptocaryon irritans. In this study, we cloned a putative i-antigen gene from C. irritans, which was expressed in all three stages of the C. irritans life-cycle, and localized primarily to the cell surface. The recombinant GDCI3 i-antigen was expressed and purified using the free-living ciliate, Tetrahymena thermophila as an expression system. The purified recombinant protein was recognized by rabbit anti-C. irritans antiserum and was capable of eliciting immobilizing antibodies in rabbits and fish suggesting that the antigen itself was correctly folded. Following immunization and parasite challenge, groupers vaccinated with, recombinant GDCI3 i-antigen had a 25% cumulative percent survival rate compared to 8.3% for controls. Both non-specific and parasite-specific IgMs were generated in fish following immunization, with the levels of both increasing following challenge. Parasite-specific IgM in mucus could only be elicited after challenge of the GDCI3 i-antigen vaccinated groupers. To our knowledge, this is the first report using the Tetrahymena expression system to generate C. irritans i-antigens and investigate their use for fish vaccination.
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Ultrastructural features of the tomont of Cryptocaryon irritans (Ciliophora: Prostomatea), a parasitic ciliate of marine fishes. Parasitology 2017; 144:720-729. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182016002651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
SUMMARYNumerous studies have been conducted on the cellular morphology of Cryptocaryon irritans. However, details regarding the tomont stage of its life cycle remain lacking. In this study, we investigated the morphology of the tomont stage throughout encystment and cell division using light and electron microscopy. Results showed that there was no secretion of encystation-specific secretory vesicles or extrusomes during formation of the cyst wall. Instead, the synthesis and construction of the C. irritans cyst wall materials may involve molecular events at the pellicle. The somatic cilia and the cytostome were present during encystment and covered by the newly formed cyst wall. New somatic cilia were continuously created between old cilia and showed various lengths during cell division, a process that was similar to morphogenesis in many free-living ciliates. During cell division inside the tomont, dividing daughter cells formed temporary cell chains with no oral primordia before separating from each other into dissociative tomite precursors. The process of cell division may not be accompanied by stomatogenesis, and new oral primordia in offspring cells likely formed before the dividing cell chains split into dissociative spherical tomites. Mitochondrial autophagy was observed in encysting C. irritans cells. Numerous endosymbionts and Golgi structures were observed in the tomont cytoplasm. Cellular metabolic activity in the C. irritans tomont was quite high, with large amounts of materials or cellular organelles potentially being synthesized and prepared for the following infective theront stage.
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Comparative transcriptional profile of the fish parasite Cryptocaryon irritans. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:630. [PMID: 27923398 PMCID: PMC5142281 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1919-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptocaryon irritans is an obligate ectoparasitic ciliate pathogen of marine fishes. It can infect most marine teleosts and cause heavy economic losses in aquaculture. There is currently no effective method of controlling this disease, and little information is available regarding the genes involved in its development and virulence. We aimed to investigate the distinct features of the three major life-cycle stages of C. irritans in terms of gene transcription level, and identify candidate vaccines/drug targets. We established a reference transcriptome of C. irritans by RNA-seq. METHODS Three cDNA libraries using total poly(A)+ mRNA isolated from trophonts, tomonts, and theronts was constructed and sequenced, respectively. Clean reads from the three stages were de novo assembled to generated unigene. Annotation of unigenes and transcriptomic comparison of three stages was performed. RESULTS Totals of 73.15, 62.23, and 109.57 million clean reads were generated from trophont, tomont, and theront libraries, respectively. After de novo assembly, 49,104 unigenes were obtained, including 9,253 unigenes with significant similarities to proteins from other ciliates. Transcriptomic comparisons revealed that 2,470 genes were differentially expressed among the three stages, including 2,011, 1,404, and 1,797 genes that were significantly differentially expressed in tomont/theront, tomont/trophont, and theront/trophont pairwise comparisons, respectively. Based on the results of hierarchical clustering, all differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were located in five major clusters. DEGs in clusters 1 and 2 were more highly expressed in tomonts than in other stages, DEGs in cluster 3 were dominant in the tomont and trophont stages, whereas clusters 4 and 5 included genes upregulated in the theront stage. In addition, Immobilization antigens (I-antigens) and proteases have long been considered major targets for vaccine development and potential drug targets in parasites, respectively. In the present study, nine putative I-antigens transcripts and 161 protease transcripts were found in the transcriptome of C. irritans. CONCLUSION It was concluded that DEGs enriched in tomonts were involved in cell division, to increase the number of theronts and ensure parasite continuity. DEGs enriched in theronts were associated with response to stimuli, whereas genes enriched in trophonts were related to nutrient accumulation and cell growth. In addition, the I-antigen and protease transcripts in our transcriptome could contribute to the development of vaccines or targeted drugs. Together, the results of the present study provide novel insights into the physiological processes of a marine parasitic ciliate.
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Lokanathan Y, Mohd-Adnan A, Kua BC, Nathan S. Cryptocaryon irritans recombinant proteins as potential antigens for sero-surveillance of cryptocaryonosis. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2016; 39:1069-1083. [PMID: 27086498 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.12474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Revised: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Cryptocaryonosis is a major problem for mariculture, and the absence of suitable sero-surveillance tools for the detection of cryptocaryonosis makes it difficult to screen Cryptocaryon irritans-infected fish, particularly asymptomatic fish. In this study, we proposed a serum-based assay using selected C. irritans proteins to screen infected and asymptomatic fish. Eight highly expressed genes were chosen from an earlier study on C. irritans expressed sequence tags and ciliate glutamine codons were converted to universal glutamine codons. The chemically synthesized C. irritans genes were then expressed in an Escherichia coli expression host under optimized conditions. Five C. irritans proteins were successfully expressed in E. coli and purified by affinity chromatography. These proteins were used as antigens in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to screen sera from experimentally immunized fish and naturally infected fish. Sera from both categories of fish reacted equally well with the expressed C. irritans recombinant proteins as well as with sonicated theronts. This study demonstrated the utility of producing ciliate recombinant proteins in a heterologous expression host. An ELISA was successfully developed to diagnose infected and asymptomatic fish using the recombinant proteins as antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Lokanathan
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - A Mohd-Adnan
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - B-C Kua
- National Fish Health Research Centre (NaFisH), Fisheries Research Institute, Batu Maung, Penang, Malaysia
| | - S Nathan
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
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Ultrastructure observation on the cells at different life history stages of Cryptocaryon irritans (Ciliophora: Prostomatea), a parasitic ciliate of marine fishes. Parasitology 2016; 143:1479-89. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182016001074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYCells of Cryptocaryon irritans at different life history stages were studied using both light and electron microscopy. The characteristics of several organelles were revealed for the first time at the ultrastructural level. It was confirmed that the cytostome of trophonts, protomonts and theronts was surrounded by cilium–palp triplets rather than ciliary triplets. The nematodesmata underlying the circumoral dikinetids were single bundles, whereas these were always paired in Prorodontids. Toxicysts were present in late-stage tomonts and theronts, but were absent in trophonts and protomonts. We posited that toxicysts might play a role in infection and invasion of host-fish tissue by theronts. The adoral brosse was unlike that of any other family of the class Prostomatea based on its location and morphology. Membranous folds were present in trophonts, protomonts and theronts. These folds were longer and more highly developed in C. irritans than in exclusively free-living prostome ciliates suggesting that they might be linked to parasitism in C. irritans. Trophonts, protomonts and theronts had multiple contractile vacuoles. The basic ultrastructure of the contractile vacuole of C. irritans was similar to that of other kinetofragminophoran ciliates. They might play different roles in different stages of the life cycle since their ultrastructure varied among trophonts, protomonts and theronts.
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Zhou QJ, Su YQ, Niu SF, Liu M, Qiao Y, Wang J. Discovery and molecular cloning of piscidin-5-like gene from the large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea). FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 41:417-420. [PMID: 25263194 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2014.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Revised: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Jia Zhou
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Yong-Quan Su
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Su-Fang Niu
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Min Liu
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Ying Qiao
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Jun Wang
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China.
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Cloning, expression and molecular characterization of a 14-3-3 gene from a parasitic ciliate, Cryptocaryon irritans. Vet Parasitol 2013; 197:427-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2013] [Revised: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 07/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Molecular characterization of an actin depolymerizing factor from Cryptocaryon irritans. Parasitology 2013; 140:561-8. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182012001977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
SUMMARYActin depolymerizing factors regulate actin dynamics involved in cellular processes such as morphogenesis, motility, development and infection. Here, a novel actin depolymerizing factor gene (CiADF2) was cloned from the cDNA library of Cryptocaryon irritans, a parasitic ciliate causing cryptocaryonosis. The full-length cDNA of CiADF2 was 531 bp. Its open reading frame (ORF) was 417 bp, encoding a polypeptide of 138 aa with typical features of the ADF/cofilin family. Reverse transcription-PCR suggested that CiADF2 is expressed in all stages of the life cycle. After site-directed mutagenesis of a non-universal genetic code, the ORF was subcloned in Escherichia coli. The bacteria were induced with the addition of isopropylthio-β-D-galactoside to express a fusion protein of recombinant CiADF2 (rCiADF2) with glutathione S transferase. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot confirmed the predicted molecular mass of rCiADF2 of 16·2 kDa. A mouse antibody against rCiADF2 recognized native CiADF2, and rCiADF2 reacted with mouse antisera against C. irritans trophonts. CiADF2 was abundant in the plasma around cytostomes, suggesting that CiADF2 is involved in ciliate movement. Moreover, rCiADF2 showed F-actin binding and depolymerizing activity. This study will help to clarify the pathogenic biology of the parasite and develop effective control measures for cryptocaryonosis.
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Khoo CK, Abdul-Murad AM, Kua BC, Mohd-Adnan A. Cryptocaryon irritans infection induces the acute phase response in Lates calcarifer: a transcriptomic perspective. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 33:788-794. [PMID: 22842150 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2012.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2012] [Revised: 07/09/2012] [Accepted: 07/17/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Cryptocaryoniasis (also known as marine white spot disease) is mediated by Cryptocaryon irritans. This obligate ectoparasitic protozoan infects virtually all marine teleosts, which includes Lates calcarifer, a highly valuable aquaculture species. Little is known about L. calcarifer-C. irritans interactions. This study was undertaken to gain an informative snapshot of the L. calcarifer transcriptomic response over the course of C. irritans infection. An in-house fabricated cDNA microarray slides containing 3872 probes from L. calcarifer liver and spleen cDNA libraries were used as a tool to investigate the response of L. calcarifer to C. irritans infection. Juvenile fish were infected with parasites for four days, and total RNA was extracted from liver tissue, which was harvested daily. We compared the transcriptomes of C. irritans-infected liver to uninfected liver over an infection period of four days; the comparison was used to identify the genes with altered expression levels in response to C. irritans infection. The greatest number of infection-modulated genes was recorded at 2 and 3 days post-infection. These genes were mainly associated with the immune response and were associated in particular with the acute phase response. Acute phase proteins such as hepcidin, C-type lectin and serum amyloid A are among the highly modulated genes. Our results indicate that an induced acute phase response in L. calcarifer toward C. irritans infection is similar to the responses observed in bacterial infections of teleosts. This response demonstrates the importance of first line defenses in teleost innate immune responses against ectoparasite infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choon-Kiat Khoo
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
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