1
|
Saleh M, Hummel K, Schlosser S, Razzazi-Fazeli E, Bartholomew JL, Holzer A, Secombes CJ, El-Matbouli M. The myxozoans Myxobolus cerebralis and Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae modulate rainbow trout immune responses: quantitative shotgun proteomics at the portals of entry after single and co-infections. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1369615. [PMID: 38803570 PMCID: PMC11129561 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1369615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Little is known about the proteomic changes at the portals of entry in rainbow trout after infection with the myxozoan parasites, Myxobolus cerebralis, and Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae. Whirling disease (WD) is a severe disease of salmonids, caused by the myxosporean M. cerebralis, while, proliferative kidney disease (PKD) is caused by T. bryosalmonae, which instead belongs to the class Malacosporea. Climate change is providing more suitable conditions for myxozoan parasites lifecycle, posing a high risk to salmonid aquaculture and contributing to the decline of wild trout populations in North America and Europe. Therefore, the aim of this study was to provide the first proteomic profiles of the host in the search for evasion strategies during single and coinfection with M. cerebralis and T. bryosalmonae. Methods One group of fish was initially infected with M. cerebralis and another group with T. bryosalmonae. After 30 days, half of the fish in each group were co-infected with the other parasite. Using a quantitative proteomic approach, we investigated proteomic changes in the caudal fins and gills of rainbow trout before and after co-infection. Results In the caudal fins, 16 proteins were differentially regulated post exposure to M. cerebralis, whereas 27 proteins were differentially modulated in the gills of the infected rainbow trout post exposure to T. bryosalmonae. After co-infection, 4 proteins involved in parasite recognition and the regulation of host immune responses were differentially modulated between the groups in the caudal fin. In the gills, 11 proteins involved in parasite recognition and host immunity, including 4 myxozoan proteins predicted to be virulence factors, were differentially modulated. Discussion The results of this study increase our knowledge on rainbow trout co-infections by myxozoan parasites and rainbow trout immune responses against myxozoans at the portals of entry, supporting a better understanding of these host-parasite interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mona Saleh
- Division of Fish Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Hummel
- VetCore, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Jerri L. Bartholomew
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Astrid Holzer
- Division of Fish Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christopher J. Secombes
- Scottish Fish Immunology Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Akram N, El-Matbouli M, Saleh M. The Immune Response to the Myxozoan Parasite Myxobolus cerebralis in Salmonids: A Review on Whirling Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17392. [PMID: 38139218 PMCID: PMC10743445 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Salmonids are affected by the economically significant whirling disease (WD) caused by the myxozoan parasite Myxobolus cerebralis. In the past, it was endemic to Eurasia, but it has now spread to different regions of North America, Europe, New Zealand, and South Africa. Among salmonids, rainbow trout is considered the most highly susceptible host. Upon entering to the host's body, the parasite invades the spine and cranium, resulting in whirling behaviour, a blackened tail, and destruction of cartilage. The disease is characterized by the infiltration of numerous inflammatory cells, primarily lymphocytes and macrophages, with the onset of fibrous tissue infiltration. Several efforts have been undertaken to investigate the role of various immune modulatory molecules and immune regulatory genes using advanced molecular methods including flow cytometry and transcriptional techniques. Investigation of the molecular and cellular responses, the role of STAT3 in Th17 cell differentiation, and the inhibitory actions of suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) on interferons and interleukins, as well as the role of natural resistance-associated macrophage proteins (Nramp) in WD have significantly contributed to our understanding of the immune regulation mechanism in salmonids against M. cerebralis. This review thoroughly highlights previous research and discusses potential future directions for understanding the molecular immune response of salmonids and the possible development of prophylactic approaches against WD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mona Saleh
- Division of Fish Health, Department of Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (N.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Avila BW, Winkelman DL, Fetherman ER. Dual resistance to Flavobacterium psychrophilum and Myxobolus cerebralis in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum). JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2022; 45:801-813. [PMID: 35262925 PMCID: PMC9314901 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic pathogens are a major concern for fish hatchery production, fisheries management, and conservation, and disease control needs to be addressed. Two important salmonid pathogens are Myxobolus cerebralis and Flavobacterium psychrophilum that cause whirling disease and bacterial coldwater disease (BCWD), respectively. Innate disease resistance is a potential option for reducing disease-related mortality in hatchery-reared rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum). Two experiments were conducted to assess pathogen resistance of first-generation (F1) rainbow trout created by crossing M. cerebralis- and F. psychrophilum-resistant strains. In the first experiment, we exposed two rainbow trout strains and one F1 cross to six treatments: control (no exposure), mock injection, F. psychrophilum only, M. cerebralis only, F. psychrophilum then M. cerebralis, and M. cerebralis then F. psychrophilum. Results indicated that the F1 cross was not resistant to either pathogen. In the second experiment, we exposed five rainbow trout strains and four rainbow trout crosses to F. psychrophilum. The second experiment indicated that at least one rainbow trout cross was F. psychrophilum-resistant. Achieving dual resistance may be possible using selective breeding but only some multigenerational strains are suitable candidates for further evaluation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian W. Avila
- Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Dana L. Winkelman
- U.S. Geological SurveyColorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitDepartment of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation BiologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Holzer AS, Piazzon MC, Barrett D, Bartholomew JL, Sitjà-Bobadilla A. To React or Not to React: The Dilemma of Fish Immune Systems Facing Myxozoan Infections. Front Immunol 2021; 12:734238. [PMID: 34603313 PMCID: PMC8481699 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.734238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myxozoans are microscopic, metazoan, obligate parasites, belonging to the phylum Cnidaria. In contrast to the free-living lifestyle of most members of this taxon, myxozoans have complex life cycles alternating between vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. Vertebrate hosts are primarily fish, although they are also reported from amphibians, reptiles, trematodes, mollusks, birds and mammals. Invertebrate hosts include annelids and bryozoans. Most myxozoans are not overtly pathogenic to fish hosts, but some are responsible for severe economic losses in fisheries and aquaculture. In both scenarios, the interaction between the parasite and the host immune system is key to explain such different outcomes of this relationship. Innate immune responses contribute to the resistance of certain fish strains and species, and the absence or low levels of some innate and regulatory factors explain the high pathogenicity of some infections. In many cases, immune evasion explains the absence of a host response and allows the parasite to proliferate covertly during the first stages of the infection. In some infections, the lack of an appropriate regulatory response results in an excessive inflammatory response, causing immunopathological consequences that are worse than inflicted by the parasite itself. This review will update the available information about the immune responses against Myxozoa, with special focus on T and B lymphocyte and immunoglobulin responses, how these immune effectors are modulated by different biotic and abiotic factors, and on the mechanisms of immune evasion targeting specific immune effectors. The current and future design of control strategies for myxozoan diseases is based on understanding this myxozoan-fish interaction, and immune-based strategies such as improvement of innate and specific factors through diets and additives, host genetic selection, passive immunization and vaccination, are starting to be considered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Astrid S Holzer
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - M Carla Piazzon
- Fish Pathology Group, Institute of Aquaculture Torre de la Sal - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IATS-CSIC), Castellón, Spain
| | - Damien Barrett
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Jerri L Bartholomew
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Ariadna Sitjà-Bobadilla
- Fish Pathology Group, Institute of Aquaculture Torre de la Sal - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IATS-CSIC), Castellón, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Barrett DE, Estensoro I, Sitjà-Bobadilla A, Bartholomew JL. Intestinal Transcriptomic and Histologic Profiling Reveals Tissue Repair Mechanisms Underlying Resistance to the Parasite Ceratonova shasta. Pathogens 2021; 10:1179. [PMID: 34578212 PMCID: PMC8467531 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myxozoan parasites infect fish worldwide causing significant disease or death in many economically important fish species, including rainbow trout and steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The myxozoan Ceratonova shasta is a parasite of salmon and trout that causes ceratomyxosis, a disease characterized by severe inflammation in the intestine resulting in hemorrhaging and necrosis. Populations of O. mykiss that are genetically fixed for resistance or susceptibility to ceratomyxosis exist naturally, offering a tractable system for studying the immune response to myxozoans. The aim of this study was to understand how steelhead trout that are resistant to the disease respond to C. shasta once it has become established in the intestine and identify potential mechanisms of resistance. RESULTS Sequencing of intestinal mRNA from resistant steelhead trout with severe C. shasta infections identified 417 genes differentially expressed during the initial stage of the infection compared to uninfected control fish. A strong induction of interferon-gamma and interferon-stimulated genes was evident, along with genes involved in cell adhesion and migration. A total of 11,984 genes were differentially expressed during the late stage of the infection, most notably interferon-gamma, interleukin-6, and immunoglobulin transcripts. A distinct hardening of the intestinal tissue and a strong inflammatory reaction in the intestinal submucosa including severe hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltrates were observed in response to the infection. The massive upregulation of caspase-14 early in the infection, a protein involved in keratinocyte differentiation might reflect the rapid onset of epithelial repair mechanisms, and the collagenous stratum compactum seemed to limit the spread of C. shasta within the intestinal layers. These observations could explain the ability of resistant fish to eventually recover from the infection. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that resistance to ceratomyxosis involves both a rapid induction of key immune factors and a tissue response that limits the spread of the parasite and the subsequent tissue damage. These results improve our understanding of the myxozoan-host dialogue and provide a framework for future studies investigating the infection dynamics of C. shasta and other myxozoans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Damien E. Barrett
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331-3804, USA;
| | - Itziar Estensoro
- Fish Pathology Group, Instituto de Acuicultura Torre de la Sal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 12595 Castellón, Spain; (I.E.); (A.S.-B.)
| | - Ariadna Sitjà-Bobadilla
- Fish Pathology Group, Instituto de Acuicultura Torre de la Sal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 12595 Castellón, Spain; (I.E.); (A.S.-B.)
| | - Jerri L. Bartholomew
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331-3804, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
A tale of two fish: Comparative transcriptomics of resistant and susceptible steelhead following exposure to Ceratonova shasta highlights differences in parasite recognition. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0234837. [PMID: 33621237 PMCID: PMC7901748 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Diseases caused by myxozoan parasites represent a significant threat to the health of salmonids in both the wild and aquaculture setting, and there are no effective therapeutants for their control. The myxozoan Ceratonova shasta is an intestinal parasite of salmonids that causes severe enteronecrosis and mortality. Most fish populations appear genetically fixed as resistant or susceptible to the parasite, offering an attractive model system for studying the immune response to myxozoans. We hypothesized that early recognition of the parasite is a critical factor driving resistance and that susceptible fish would have a delayed immune response. RNA-seq was used to identify genes that were differentially expressed in the gills and intestine during the early stages of C. shasta infection in both resistant and susceptible steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss). This revealed a downregulation of genes involved in the IFN-γ signaling pathway in the gills of both phenotypes. Despite this, resistant fish quickly contained the infection and several immune genes, including two innate immune receptors were upregulated. Susceptible fish, on the other hand, failed to control parasite proliferation and had no discernible immune response to the parasite, including a near-complete lack of differential gene expression in the intestine. Further sequencing of intestinal samples from susceptible fish during the middle and late stages of infection showed a vigorous yet ineffective immune response driven by IFN-γ, and massive differential expression of genes involved in cell adhesion and the extracellular matrix, which coincided with the breakdown of the intestinal structure. Our results suggest that the parasite may be suppressing the host’s immune system during the initial invasion, and that susceptible fish are unable to recognize the parasite invading the intestine or mount an effective immune response. These findings improve our understanding of myxozoan-host interactions while providing a set of putative resistance markers for future studies.
Collapse
|
7
|
Shivam S, El-Matbouli M, Kumar G. Development of Fish Parasite Vaccines in the OMICs Era: Progress and Opportunities. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:179. [PMID: 33672552 PMCID: PMC7923790 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9020179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally, parasites are increasingly being recognized as catastrophic agents in both aquaculture sector and in the wild aquatic habitats leading to an estimated annual loss between 1.05 billion and 9.58 billion USD. The currently available therapeutic and control measures are accompanied by many limitations. Hence, vaccines are recommended as the "only green and effective solution" to address these concerns and protect fish from pathogens. However, vaccine development warrants a better understanding of host-parasite interaction and parasite biology. Currently, only one commercial parasite vaccine is available against the ectoparasite sea lice. Additionally, only a few trials have reported potential vaccine candidates against endoparasites. Transcriptome, genome, and proteomic data at present are available only for a limited number of aquatic parasites. Omics-based interventions can be significant in the identification of suitable vaccine candidates, finally leading to the development of multivalent vaccines for significant protection against parasitic infections in fish. The present review highlights the progress in the immunobiology of pathogenic parasites and the prospects of vaccine development. Finally, an approach for developing a multivalent vaccine for parasitic diseases is presented. Data sources to prepare this review included Pubmed, google scholar, official reports, and websites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saloni Shivam
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.S.); (M.E.-M.)
- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Karwar 581301, India
| | - Mansour El-Matbouli
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.S.); (M.E.-M.)
| | - Gokhlesh Kumar
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.S.); (M.E.-M.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Saleh M, Friedl A, Srivastava M, Secombes CJ, El-Matbouli M. Modulation of local and systemic immune responses in brown trout (Salmo trutta) following exposure to Myxobolus cerebralis. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 106:844-851. [PMID: 32891791 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2020.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Myxobolus cerebralis, the etiological agent of Whirling Disease (WD), is a freshwater myxozoan parasite with considerable economic and ecological relevance for salmonids. There are differences in disease susceptibility between species and strains of salmonids. Recently, we have reported that the suppressor of cytokine signaling SOCS1 and SOCS3 are key in modulating rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) immune responses and that resistant fish apparently exhibit effective Th17 cell response after exposure to M. cerebralis. It is unclear whether such molecules and pathways are also involved in the immune response of M. cerebralis infected brown trout (Salmo trutta). Hence, this study aimed to explore their role during immune modulation in infected brown trout, which is considered resistant to this parasite. Fish were exposed to the triactinomyxon (TAM) stages of M. cerebralis and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) was carried out to examine local (caudal fin) and systemic (head kidney, spleen) immune transcriptional changes associated with WD over time in infected and control fish. All of the immune genes in the three tissues studied were differentially expressed in infected fish at multiple time points. Brown trout reduced the parasite load and demonstrated effective immune responses, likely by keeping pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in balance whilst stimulating efficient Th17-mediated immunity. This study increases knowledge on the brown trout immune response to M. cerebralis and helps us to understand the underlying mechanisms of WD resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mona Saleh
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria.
| | - Adina Friedl
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria.
| | - Mitaly Srivastava
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria.
| | - Christopher J Secombes
- Scottish Fish Immunology Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
| | - Mansour El-Matbouli
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
STAT3/SOCS3 axis contributes to the outcome of salmonid whirling disease. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234479. [PMID: 32542025 PMCID: PMC7295227 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
There are differences in disease susceptibility to whirling disease (WD) among strains of rainbow trout. The North American strain Trout Lodge (TL) is highly susceptible, whereas the German Hofer (HO) strain is more resistant. The suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins are key in inhibiting cytokine signaling. Their role in modulating the immune response against whirling disease is not completely clear. This study aimed at investigating the transcriptional response of SOCS1 and SOCS3 genes to Myxobolus cerebralis along with that of several upstream regulators and immune response genes. M. cerebralis induced the expression of SOCS1, the IL-6-dependent SOCS3, the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and the Treg associated transcription factor FOXP3 in TL fish at multiple time points, which likely caused a restricted STAT1 and STAT3 activity affecting the Th17/Treg17 balance. The expression of SOCS1 and the IL-6-dependent SOCS3 was induced constraining the activation of STAT1 and STAT3 in TL fish, thereby causing Th17/Treg17 imbalance and leaving the fish unable to establish a protective immune response against M. cerebralis or control inflammatory reactions increasing susceptibility to WD. Conversely, in HO fish, the expression of SOCS1 and SOCS3 was restrained, whereas the expression of STAT1 and IL-23-mediated STAT3 was induced potentially enabling more controlled immune responses, accelerating parasite clearance and elevating resistance. The induced expression of STAT1 and IL-23-mediated STAT3 likely maintained a successful Th17/Treg17 balance and enabled fish to promote effective immune responses favouring resistance against WD. The results provide insights into the role of SOCS1 and SOCS3 in regulating the activation and magnitude of host immunity in rainbow trout, which may help us understand the mechanisms that underlie the variation in resistance to WD.
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhao Y, Liu X, Sato H, Zhang Q, Li A, Zhang J. RNA-seq analysis of local tissue of Carassius auratus gibelio with pharyngeal myxobolosis: Insights into the pharyngeal mucosal immune response in a fish-parasite dialogue. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 94:99-112. [PMID: 31476388 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2019.08.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The lack of practical control measures for pharyngeal myxobolosis is becoming an important limiting factor for the sustainable development of the gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) culture industry in China. Myxobolus honghuensis has been identified as the causative agent of this pandemic disease, which exclusively infects the pharynx of gibel carp, a potential important mucosal lymphoid-associated tissue (MLAT). Myxozoa generally initiate invasion through the mucosal tissues of fish, where some of them also complete their sporogonial stages. However, the pharynx-associated immune responses of teleost against myxosporeans infection remain unknown. Here, a de novo transcriptome assembly of the pharynx of gibel carp naturally infected with M. honghuensis was performed for the first time, using RNA-seq. Comparative analysis of severely infected and mildly infected pharyngeal tissues (SI group and MI group) from the same fish individuals and control pharyngeal tissues (C group) from the uninfected fish was carried out to investigate the potential mucosal immune function of the fish pharynx, and characterize the panoramic picture of pharynx local mucosal immune responses of gibel carp against the M. honghuensis infection. A total of 242,341 unigenes were obtained and pairwise comparison resulted in 13,009 differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) in the SI/C group comparison, 6014 DEGs in the MI/C group comparison, and 9031 DEGs in the SI/MI group comparison. Comprehensive analysis showed that M. honghuensis infection elicited a significant parasite load-dependent alteration of the expression of numerous innate and adaptive immune-related genes in the local lesion tissue. Innate immune molecules, including mucins, toll-like receptors, C-type lectin, serum amyloid A, cathepsins and complement components were significantly up-regulated in the SI group compared with the C group. Up-regulation of genes involved in apoptosis signaling pathway and the IFN-mediated immune system were found in the SI group, suggesting these two pathways played a crucial role in innate immune response to M. honghuensis infection. Up-regulation of chemokines and chemokine receptors and the induction of the leukocyte trans-endothelial migration pathways in the severely and mildly infected pharynx suggested that many leucocytes were recruited to the local infected sites to mount a strong mucosal immune responses against the myxosporean infection. Up-regulation of CD3D, CD22, CD276, IL4/13A, GATA3, arginase 2, IgM, IgT and pIgR transcripts provided strong evidences for the presence of T/B cells and specific mucosal immune responses at local sites with M. honghuensis infection. Our results firstly demonstrated the mucosal function of the teleost pharynx and provided evidences of intensive local immune defense responses against this mucosa-infecting myxosporean in the gibel carp pharynx. Pharyngeal myxobolosis was shaped by a prevailing anti-inflammatory response pattern during the advanced infection stages. Further understanding of the functional roles of fish immune molecules involved in the initial invasion and/or final sporogony site may facilitate future development of control strategies for this myxobolosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanli Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Diseases Control, Ministry of Agriculture and State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuhua Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Water Environment and Aquatic Products Security Engineering Technology Research Center, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases and Waterfowl Breeding, College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hiroshi Sato
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Diseases Control, Ministry of Agriculture and State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Aihua Li
- Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Diseases Control, Ministry of Agriculture and State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinyong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Diseases Control, Ministry of Agriculture and State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Laboratory of Parasitology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Saleh M, Montero R, Kumar G, Sudhagar A, Friedl A, Köllner B, El-Matbouli M. Kinetics of local and systemic immune cell responses in whirling disease infection and resistance in rainbow trout. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:249. [PMID: 31113489 PMCID: PMC6528198 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3505-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Whirling disease (WD), caused by the myxozoan parasite Myxobolus cerebralis, is responsible for high mortalities in rainbow trout hatcheries and natural populations. To elucidate how resistant and susceptible rainbow trout strains respond to early invasion, a well-established model of WD was used to demonstrate the kinetics of local and systemic immune responses in two rainbow trout strains, the susceptible American Trout Lodge (TL) and the more resistant German Hofer strain (HO). Methods Parasite load and cellular immune responses were compared across several time points after M. cerebralis exposure to elucidate the kinetics of immune cells in resistant and susceptible rainbow trout in response to early invasion. In the course of the 20 days following exposure, leukocyte kinetics was monitored by flow cytometry in the caudal fin (CF), head kidney (HK) and spleen (SP). For the analysis of the leukocyte composition, cells were stained using a set of monoclonal antibodies with known specificity for distinct subpopulations of rainbow trout leukocytes. Results Experiments indicated general increases of CF, HK and SP myeloid cells, while decreases of B cells and T cells in the SP and HK were observed at several time points in the TL strain. On the other hand, in the HO strain, increases of T cells were dominant in CF, HK and SP at multiple time points. The differences between HO and TL were most distinct at 2, 4, 12 and 48 hours post-exposure (hpe) as well as at 4 days post-exposure (dpe), with the vast majority of innate immune response cells having higher values in the susceptible TL strain. Alteration of the leukocyte populations with augmented local cellular responses and excessive immune reactions likely lead to subsequent host tissue damage and supports parasite invasion and development in TL. Conclusions The findings of this study highlight the significance of effective local and systemic immune reaction and indicate proper activation of T lymphocytes critical for host resistance during M. cerebralis infection. The present study provides insights into the cellular basis of protective immune responses against M. cerebralis and can help us to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the variation in resistance to WD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mona Saleh
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Ruth Montero
- Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Gokhlesh Kumar
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Arun Sudhagar
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Adina Friedl
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernd Köllner
- Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Mansour El-Matbouli
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kotob MH, Kumar G, Saleh M, Gorgoglione B, Abdelzaher M, El-Matbouli M. Differential modulation of host immune genes in the kidney and cranium of the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in response to Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae and Myxobolus cerebralis co-infections. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:326. [PMID: 29848363 PMCID: PMC5977764 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2912-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most of the studies on fish diseases focus on single infections, although in nature co-infections occur more often. The two freshwater myxozoan parasites of salmonids, having high economic and ecologic relevance are Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae (Malacosporea), the etiological agent of proliferative kidney disease, and Myxobolus cerebralis (Myxosporea), the etiological agent of whirling disease. The present study aims to investigate immune modulation in rainbow trouts (Oncorhynchus mykiss) during single and co-infections by these parasites. METHODS Fish were initially infected with T. bryosalmonae (one group) and M. cerebralis (another group) separately. At 30 days post-exposure (dpe), both the single species infected groups were co-infected, respectively, with the other parasite. Posterior kidney and cartilage cranium samples were collected at 30, 60, 90 and 120 dpe and RT-qPCR was performed on them to assess the transcription of suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) -1 and -3, Janus kinase-1 (JAK-1) and signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT-3) genes. RESULTS Kidney samples from the T. bryosalmonae-infected group showed upregulation of all immune genes tested between 60-120 dpe. Crania from the single M. cerebralis-infected group and the M. cerebralis and T. bryosalmonae co-infected group exhibited upregulation of SOCS-1 and JAK-1 between 60-120 dpe and SOCS-3 at 120 dpe. However, only in the single M. cerebralis-infected group, was a statistically significant expression of STAT-3 observed at 30 and 60 dpe. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that both T. bryosalmonae and M. cerebralis induce overexpression of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 genes and modulate the host immune response during the development of parasite to cause immunosuppression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed H Kotob
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71526, Egypt
| | - Gokhlesh Kumar
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mona Saleh
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bartolomeo Gorgoglione
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, 45435, USA
| | - Mahmoud Abdelzaher
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71526, Egypt
| | - Mansour El-Matbouli
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Jang YH, Subramanian D, Won SH, Heo MS. Immune response of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) infected with the myxosporean parasite Kudoa septempunctata. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 67:172-178. [PMID: 28602738 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2017.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Revised: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the pathophysiological, biochemical, and immunological status of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) infected with the myxosporean parasite Kudoa septempunctata. Flounder fish collected from Kudoa-infected and uninfected farms were confirmed by microscopic and TaqMan probe-based quantitative PCR screening. Morphological, biochemical, histological, and immune gene expression analyses were performed on uninfected and infected hosts to assess the effect of K. septempunctata. Histological studies confirmed the presence of Kudoa myxospores in the trunk muscles of infected flounder fish. Serum biochemical parameters, including the levels of myeloperoxidase activity, superoxide dismutase activity, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, bilirubin, total protein, cholesterol, calcium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, glucose, and galactose, were found to exhibit no significant variations (p > 0.05) between uninfected and infected flounder fish. However, immune-related genes such as Mx, lysozyme, signal transducer and activator of transcription 1, interferon-γ, interferon regulatory factor, and tumour necrosis factor showed significantly elevated expression (p < 0.05) in the trunk muscles of infected flounder fish while no significant differences were noted in uninfected fish trunk muscle and head-kidney of infected and uninfected flounder fish.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yeoung-Hwan Jang
- Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Ocean and Fisheries Research Institute, Pyoseon-myeon, Segwipo-si, Jeju 697-914, South Korea
| | - Dharaneedharan Subramanian
- Marine Pathogenic Microbes and Aquatic Disease Control Lab, School of Marine Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 690-756, South Korea
| | - Seung-Hwan Won
- Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Ocean and Fisheries Research Institute, Pyoseon-myeon, Segwipo-si, Jeju 697-914, South Korea
| | - Moon-Soo Heo
- Marine Pathogenic Microbes and Aquatic Disease Control Lab, School of Marine Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 690-756, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Sarker S, Menanteau-Ledouble S, Kotob MH, El-Matbouli M. A RNAi-based therapeutic proof of concept targets salmonid whirling disease in vivo. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0178687. [PMID: 28575083 PMCID: PMC5456292 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Myxobolus cerebralis is a cnidarian-myxozoan parasite that causes salmonid whirling disease. M. cerebralis alternates between two hosts: (1) a vertebrate salmonid and (2) an invertebrate oligochaete, Tubifex tubifex. There is no successful treatment for salmonid whirling disease. MyxSP-1 is a M. cerebralis serine protease implicated in whirling disease pathogenesis. We hypothesized that short-interfering RNA (siRNA)-induced RNA interference (RNAi) can silence MyxSP-1 in the invertebrate host and abrogate the M. cerebralis life cycle. This would preclude whirling disease infection in the salmonid host. To test this hypothesis, we first developed a siRNA delivery protocol in T. tubifex. Second, we determined the effective dose for siRNA treatment of M. cerebralis-infected T. tubifex. M. cerebralis-infected T. tubifex were treated with different concentrations of MyxSP-1 or negative control siRNAs (1μM, 2μM, 5μM or 7μM) at 15°C for 24h, 48h, 72h and 96h, respectively. We monitored MyxSP-1 knockdown using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). siRNA treatment with MyxSP-1 siRNA at 2μM concentration for 24h at 15°C showed maximum significant MyxSP-1 knockdown in T. tubifex. Third, we determined the time points in the M. cerebralis life cycle in T. tubifex at which siRNA treatment was most effective. M. cerebralis-infected T. tubifex were treated with MyxSP-1 or negative control siRNAs (2μM concentration for 24h at 15°C) at 24 hours post-infection (24hpi), 48hpi, 72hpi, 96hpi, 1 month post-infection (1mpi), 2mpi and 3mpi, respectively. We observed that siRNA treatment of T. tubifex was most effective at 1mpi, 2mpi and 3mpi. Fourth, we immersed specific-pathogen-free rainbow trout fry in water inhabited by MyxSP-1 siRNA-treated T. tubifex (at 1mpi, 2mpi and 3mpi). The salmonids did not develop whirling disease and showed significant MyxSP-1 knockdown. We also observed long-term RNAi in T. tubifex. Together these results demonstrate a novel RNAi-based therapeutic proof of concept in vivo against salmonid whirling disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Subhodeep Sarker
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- * E-mail: (SS); (ME-M)
| | - Simon Menanteau-Ledouble
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mohamed H. Kotob
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Asyut, Egypt
| | - Mansour El-Matbouli
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail: (SS); (ME-M)
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Singh R, Khatri P, Srivastava N, Jain S, Brahmachari V, Mukhopadhyay A, Mazumder S. Fluoride exposure abates pro-inflammatory response and induces in vivo apoptosis rendering zebrafish (Danio rerio) susceptible to bacterial infections. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 63:314-321. [PMID: 28223109 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2017.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Revised: 01/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The present study describes the immunotoxic effect of chronic fluoride exposure on adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). Zebrafish were exposed to fluoride (71.12 mg/L; 1/10 LC50) for 30 d and the expression of selected genes studied. We observed significant elevation in the detoxification pathway gene cyp1a suggesting chronic exposure to non-lethal concentration of fluoride is indeed toxic to fish. Fluoride mediated pro-oxidative stress is implicated with the downregulation in superoxide dismutase 1 and 2 (sod1/2) genes. Fluoride affected DNA repair machinery by abrogating the expression of the DNA repair gene rad51 and growth arrest and DNA damage inducible beta a gene gadd45ba. The upregulated expression of casp3a coupled with altered Bcl-2 associated X protein/B-cell lymphoma 2 ratio (baxa/bcl2a) clearly suggested chronic fluoride exposure induced the apoptotic cascade in zebrafish. Fluoride-exposed zebrafish when challenged with non-lethal dose of fish pathogen A. hydrophila revealed gross histopathology in spleen, bacterial persistence and significant mortality. We report that fluoride interferes with system-level output of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β and interferon-γ, as a consequence, bacteria replicate efficiently causing significant fish mortality. We conclude, chronic fluoride exposure impairs the redox balance, affects DNA repair machinery with pro-apoptotic implications and suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines expression abrogating host immunity to bacterial infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Singh
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India
| | - Preeti Khatri
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India
| | - Nidhi Srivastava
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India
| | - Shruti Jain
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Vani Brahmachari
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Asish Mukhopadhyay
- National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, West Bengal 700010, India
| | - Shibnath Mazumder
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Kutyrev I, Cleveland B, Leeds T, Wiens GD. Proinflammatory cytokine and cytokine receptor gene expression kinetics following challenge with Flavobacterium psychrophilum in resistant and susceptible lines of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 58:542-553. [PMID: 27693200 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2016.09.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Flavobacterium psychrophilum (Fp) is the causative agent of bacterial cold water disease (BCWD) which causes appreciable economic losses in rainbow trout aquaculture. We previously reported development of a genetic line, designated ARS-Fp-R that exhibits higher survival relative to a susceptible line, designated ARS-Fp-S, following either laboratory or natural on-farm challenge. The objectives of this study were to determine the temporal kinetics of gene expression between experimentally-challenged ARS-Fp-R and ARS-Fp-S fish and the correlation between gene expression and pathogen load. We developed a GeXP multiplex RT-PCR assay to simultaneously examine expression of immune-relevant genes, concentrating on tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1 ligand/receptor systems and acute phase response genes. Spleen tissue was sampled at 6 h, 24 h, 48 h and 144 h post-challenge and pathogen load quantified by qPCR. Transcript abundance of cytokine genes tnfa1, tnfa2, tnfa3, il1b1, il1b2, il11a; acute phase response genes saa and drtp1; and putative cytokine receptors il1r1-like-b, il1r2, tnfrsf1a, tnfrsf9, tnfrsf1a-like-b increased following challenge while the transcript abundance of il1r-like-1 and tnfrsf1a-like-a decreased compared to PBS-injected line-matched control fish. Principal component analysis identified transcript levels of genes il1r-like-1 and tnfrsf1a-like-a as exhibiting differential expression between genetic lines. In summary, Fp i.p. injection challenge elicited a proinflammatory cytokine gene expression response in the spleen, with ARS-Fp-R line fish exhibiting modestly higher basal expression levels of several putative cytokine receptors. This study furthers the understanding of the immune response following Fp challenge and differences in gene expression associated with selective breeding for disease resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Kutyrev
- National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, 11861 Leetown Rd, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA; Institute of General and Experimental Biology, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Sakhyanovoi St., 6, 670047 Ulan-Ude, Russia.
| | - Beth Cleveland
- National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, 11861 Leetown Rd, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA
| | - Timothy Leeds
- National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, 11861 Leetown Rd, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA
| | - Gregory D Wiens
- National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, 11861 Leetown Rd, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Gunderson MP, Pickett MA, Martin JT, Hulse EJ, Smith SS, Smith LA, Campbell RM, Lowers RH, Boggs ASP, Guillette LJ. Variations in hepatic biomarkers in American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) from three sites in Florida, USA. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 155:180-187. [PMID: 27111470 PMCID: PMC4909370 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Revised: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Sub-individual biomarkers are sub-lethal biological responses commonly used in the assessment of wildlife exposure to environmental contaminants. In this study, we examined the activity of glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and metallothionein (MT) concentrations among captive-raised alligator hatchlings, wild-caught juveniles, and wild-caught adults. Juveniles and adults were collected from three locations in Florida (USA) with varying degrees of contamination (i.e. Lake Apopka (organochlorine polluted site), Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) (metal polluted site), and Lake Woodruff NWR (reference site)). We examined whether changes in the response of these three biomarkers were age and sex dependent or reflected site-specific variations of environmental contaminants. Juvenile alligators from Merritt Island NWR had higher MT concentrations and lower GST activity compared to those from the other two sites. This outcome was consistent with higher metal pollution at this location. Sexually dimorphic patterns of MT and GST (F > M) were observed in juvenile alligators from all sites, although this pattern was not observed in adults. GST activity was lower in captive-raised alligators from Lake Apopka and Merritt Island NWR as compared to animals from Lake Woodruff NWR, suggesting a possible developmental modulator at these sites. No clear patterns were observed in LDH activity. We concluded that GST and MT demonstrate age and sex specific patterns in the alligators inhabiting these study sites and that the observed variation among sites could be due to differences in contaminant exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Gunderson
- The College of Idaho, Department of Biology, 2112 Cleveland Blvd., Caldwell, ID 83605, USA.
| | - Melissa A Pickett
- The College of Idaho, Department of Biology, 2112 Cleveland Blvd., Caldwell, ID 83605, USA
| | - Justin T Martin
- The College of Idaho, Department of Biology, 2112 Cleveland Blvd., Caldwell, ID 83605, USA
| | - Elizabeth J Hulse
- The College of Idaho, Department of Biology, 2112 Cleveland Blvd., Caldwell, ID 83605, USA
| | - Spenser S Smith
- The College of Idaho, Department of Biology, 2112 Cleveland Blvd., Caldwell, ID 83605, USA
| | - Levi A Smith
- The College of Idaho, Department of Biology, 2112 Cleveland Blvd., Caldwell, ID 83605, USA
| | - Rachel M Campbell
- The College of Idaho, Department of Biology, 2112 Cleveland Blvd., Caldwell, ID 83605, USA
| | - Russell H Lowers
- Inomedic Health Applications, Aquatics Division, Mail Code IHA-300, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
| | - Ashley S P Boggs
- Marine Biomedicine and Environmental Sciences Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University South Carolina, Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston, SC 29412, USA
| | - Louis J Guillette
- Marine Biomedicine and Environmental Sciences Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University South Carolina, Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston, SC 29412, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Baerwald MR, Meek MH, Stephens MR, Nagarajan RP, Goodbla AM, Tomalty KMH, Thorgaard GH, May B, Nichols KM. Migration-related phenotypic divergence is associated with epigenetic modifications in rainbow trout. Mol Ecol 2015; 25:1785-1800. [PMID: 25958780 DOI: 10.1111/mec.13231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Revised: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Migration is essential for the reproduction and survival of many animals, yet little is understood about its underlying molecular mechanisms. We used the salmonid Oncorhynchus mykiss to gain mechanistic insight into smoltification, which is a morphological, physiological and behavioural transition undertaken by juveniles in preparation for seaward migration. O. mykiss is experimentally tractable and displays intra- and interpopulation variation in migration propensity. Migratory individuals can produce nonmigratory progeny and vice versa, indicating a high degree of phenotypic plasticity. One potential way that phenotypic plasticity might be linked to variation in migration-related life history tactics is through epigenetic regulation of gene expression. To explore this, we quantitatively measured genome-scale DNA methylation in fin tissue using reduced representation bisulphite sequencing of F2 siblings produced from a cross between steelhead (migratory) and rainbow trout (nonmigratory) lines. We identified 57 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between smolt and resident O. mykiss juveniles. DMRs were high in magnitude, with up to 62% differential methylation between life history types, and over half of the gene-associated DMRs were in transcriptional regulatory regions. Many of the DMRs encode proteins with activity relevant to migration-related transitions (e.g. circadian rhythm pathway, nervous system development, protein kinase activity). This study provides the first evidence of a relationship between epigenetic variation and life history divergence associated with migration-related traits in any species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melinda R Baerwald
- Department of Animal Science, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, 95616
| | - Mariah H Meek
- Department of Animal Science, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, 95616
| | - Molly R Stephens
- School of Natural Sciences, University of California - Merced, Merced, CA, 95343
| | - Raman P Nagarajan
- GlaxoSmithKline, Cancer Epigenetics Discovery Performance Unit, Collegeville, PA 19426
| | - Alisha M Goodbla
- Department of Animal Science, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, 95616
| | | | - Gary H Thorgaard
- School of Biological Sciences and Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164
| | - Bernie May
- Department of Animal Science, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, 95616
| | - Krista M Nichols
- Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2725 Montlake Blvd E, Seattle, WA 98112
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Sarker S, Kallert DM, Hedrick RP, El-Matbouli M. Whirling disease revisited: pathogenesis, parasite biology and disease intervention. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2015; 114:155-175. [PMID: 25993890 DOI: 10.3354/dao02856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Whirling disease (WD) is an ecologically and economically debilitating disease of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss caused by the actinosporean spores of the parasite Myxobolus cerebralis. M. cerebralis has a complex, 2-host life cycle alternating between salmonid fish and the oligochaete host Tubifex tubifex. The parasite alternates between 2 spore forms as transmission stages: an actinosporean triactinomyxon spore that is produced in the oligochaete host and a myxosporean spore that develops in the salmonid host. Waterborne triactinomyxon spores released from infected T. tubifex oligochaetes attach to the salmonid host by polar filament extrusion elicited by chemical (nucleoside) and mechanical (thigmotropy) stimuli-a process which is rapidly followed by active penetration of the sporoplasms into the fish epidermis. Upon penetration, sporoplasms multiply and migrate via peripheral nerves and the central nervous system to reach the cartilage where they form trophozoites which undergo further multiplication and subsequent sporogenesis. M. cerebralis myxospores are released into the aquatic environment when infected fish die and autolyse, or when they are consumed and excreted by predators. Myxospores released into the water are ingested by susceptible T. tubifex where they develop intercellularly in the intestine over a period of 3 mo through 4 developmental stages to give rise to mature actinospores. In this article, we review our current understanding of WD-the parasite and its alternate hosts, life cycle and development of the parasite in either host, disease distribution, susceptibility and resistance mechanisms in salmonid host and strategies involved in diagnosis, prevention and control of WD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Subhodeep Sarker
- Clinical Division of Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|