Mast cells in common wolffish Anarhichas lupus L.: ontogeny, distribution and association with lymphatic vessels

The relationship between the secondary vascular system and the lymphatic vascular system in fish

New technologies have resulted in a better understanding of blood and lymphatic vascular heterogeneity at the cellular and molecular levels. However, we still need to learn more about the heterogeneity of the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems among different species at the anatomical and functional levels. Even the deceptively simple question of the functions of fish lymphatic vessels has yet to be conclusively answered. The most common interpretation assumes a similar dual setup of the vasculature in zebrafish and mammals: a cardiovascular circulatory system, and a lymphatic vascular system (LVS), in which the unidirectional flow is derived from surplus interstitial fluid and returned into the cardiovascular system. A competing interpretation questions the identity of the lymphatic vessels in fish as at least some of them receive their flow from arteries via specialised anastomoses, neither requiring an interstitial source for the lymphatic flow nor stipulating unidirectionality. In this alternative view, the 'fish lymphatics' are a specialised subcompartment of the cardiovascular system, called the secondary vascular system (SVS). Many of the contradictions found in the literature appear to stem from the fact that the SVS develops in part or completely from an embryonic LVS by transdifferentiation. Future research needs to establish the extent of embryonic transdifferentiation of lymphatics into SVS blood vessels. Similarly, more insight is needed into the molecular regulation of vascular development in fish. Most fish possess more than the five vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) genes and three VEGF receptor genes that we know from mice or humans, and the relative tolerance of fish to whole-genome and gene duplications could underlie the evolutionary diversification of the vasculature. This review discusses the key elements of the fish lymphatics versus the SVS and attempts to draw a picture coherent with the existing data, including phylogenetic knowledge.

Digestive and immune functions in the intestine of wild Ballan wrasse (Labrus bergylta)

This study was carried out to profile key characteristics of intestinal functions and health in wild-caught Ballan wrasse. To describe functional variation along the intestine, samples were collected from four intestinal segments, named from the proximal to the distal segment: IN1, IN2, IN3 and IN4. The sections showed quite similar structure, i.e. regarding mucosal fold height and branching, lamina propria and submucosal width and cellular composition and thickness of the muscle layers. Leucine aminopeptidase and maltase capacity decreased from IN1 to IN4, suggesting a predominant role of IN1 in digestion. Gene expression levels of vitamin C transporter (slc23a1) and fatty acid transporters (cd36 and fabp2) were higher in IN1 than in IN4, indicating a more important role of the proximal intestine regarding transport of vitamins and fatty acids. Higher expression of the gene coding for IgM heavy chain constant region (ighm) was found in IN4 than in IN1, suggesting an important immune function of the distal intestine. Other immune related genes il1b, il6, cd40, showed similar expression in the proximal and the distal part of the intestine. Parasite infection, especially the myxozoan parasite Enteromyxum leei, coincided with infiltration of lymphocytic and eosinophilic granular cells in the submucosa and lamina propria. The present study established reference information necessary for interpretation of results of studies of intestinal functions and health in cultured Ballan wrasse.

Anatomy of teleost fish immune structures and organs

The function of a tissue is determined by its construction and cellular composition. The action of different genes can thus only be understood properly when seen in the context of the environment in which they are expressed and function. We now experience a renaissance in morphological research in fish, not only because, surprisingly enough, large structures have remained un-described until recently, but also because improved methods for studying morphological characteristics in combination with expression analysis are at hand. In this review, we address anatomical features of teleost immune tissues. There are approximately 30,000 known teleost fish species and only a minor portion of them have been studied. We aim our review at the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and other salmonids, but when applicable, we also present information from other species. Our focus is the anatomy of the kidney, thymus, spleen, the interbranchial lymphoid tissue (ILT), the newly discovered salmonid cloacal bursa and the naso-pharynx associated lymphoid tissue (NALT).

Anatomy, immunology, digestive physiology and microbiota of the salmonid intestine: Knowns and unknowns under the impact of an expanding industrialized production

Increased industrialized production of salmonids challenges aspects concerning available feed resources and animal welfare. The immune system plays a key component in this respect. Novel feed ingredients may trigger unwarranted immune responses again affecting the well-being of the fish. Here we review our current knowledge concerning salmon intestinal anatomy, immunity, digestive physiology and microbiota in the context of industrialized feeding regimes. We point out knowledge gaps and indicate promising novel technologies to improve salmonid intestinal health.

Tumor microenvironment and stroma in intestinal adenocarcinomas and associated metastases in Atlantic salmon broodfish (Salmo salar)

Animal models are invaluable tools in cancer research. In this context, salmon is a promising candidate. Intestinal adenocarcinoma with metastases may be induced as a consequence of a plant-based diet triggering the inflammation - dysplasia- carcinogenesis pathway. Here, we investigate the stroma and the presence and nature of immune cells in such tumors by staining for mast cells, immunohistochemistry for T cells and antigen-presenting cells and in situ hybridization for B cells. In intestinal tumors, substantial amounts of T cells were detected in the stroma, whilst MHC class II⁺ cells were mainly among the cancerous cells. Ig⁺ cells were observed primarily in the tumor periphery. Mast cells showed a strong association with stroma. In metastases, scarce amounts of T cells were detected, whilst MHC I and II-reactivity varied, some tumors being completely negative. Ig⁺ cells were scattered around the metastatic tissue in no particular pattern, but were occasionally observed within clusters of tumor cells. Small numbers of mast cells were detected in the stroma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report addressing immune cells in fish tumors. The teleost tumor microenvironment seems comparable to that of mammals, making fish interesting model animals in oncoimmunology research.

Special dyeing, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and ultrastructure: A study of mast cells/eosinophilic granules cells (MCs/EGC) from Centropomus parallelus intestine

Intestine mast cells/eosinophilic granule cells (MCs/EGC) of the marine species Centropomus parallelus (fat snook) were first studied using light and electron microscopy techniques. Mast cells are cells from the connective tissue found in almost all organs and tissues of vertebrates. In fish, they appear in greater numbers in parts of their bodies that are exposed to their environment, such as skin, gills and intestine. The granules in fat snook's mast cell contain a variety of substances, such as histamine, heparin, chondroitin sulfate, serotonin, proteases and cytokines. The present study of intestine MCs/EGC was carried out in 20 specimens of fat snook. Samples of tissue were fixed in Bouin solution and in buffered formalin. Ferric hematoxylin - Congo red, pH6 acridine orange, pH2.5 and pH0,5 Alcian Blue (AB), toluidine blue, PAS, AB + PAS and immunohistochemistry protocols were used. In the mucosa and submucosa layers, MCs/EGCs granules with basic contents were evidenced by Congo red staining, and with acid contents granules were identified through pH 2.5 and 0,5 AB, and acridine orange. Basic and acid contents were simultaneously evidenced using ferric hematoxylin - Congo red stain. Metachromasia was observed in both mucosal and submucosal mast cells. Neutral glycoproteins were evidenced by using PAS protocol, glycosaminoglycan through AB and both simultaneously through AB + PAS. In immunohistochemistry assays, MCs/EGC were positive for tryptase, chymase and serotonin. As in mammals, the study of samples fixed in modified Karnovsky for transmission electron microscopy evidenced that most of the MCs granules were spherical and showed varying electron density, as described in previous reports on other teleost fish species. The metachromasia observed and the identification of tryptase, chymase and serotonin suggest a great similarity between fat snook's MCs/EGC and those described in the mucosa of mammals.

Antigen sampling in the fish intestine

Antigen uptake in the gastrointestinal tract may induce tolerance, lead to an immune response and also to infection. In mammals, most pathogens gain access to the host though the gastrointestinal tract, and in fish as well, this route seems to be of significant importance. The epithelial surface faces a considerable challenge, functioning both as a barrier towards the external milieu but simultaneously being the site of absorption of nutrients and fluids. The mechanisms allowing antigen uptake over the epithelial barrier play a central role for maintaining the intestinal homeostasis and regulate appropriate immune responses. Such uptake has been widely studied in mammals, but also in fish, a number of experiments have been reported, seeking to reveal cells and mechanisms involved in antigen sampling. In this paper, we review these studies in addition to addressing our current knowledge of the intestinal barrier in fish and its anatomical construction.

Role of histamine in the regulation of intestinal immunity in fish

In mammals, during the acute inflammatory response, the complex interrelationship and cross-talk among histamine and the immune system has been fairly well characterized. There is a substantial body of information on its structure, metabolism, receptors, signal transduction, physiologic and pathologic effects. However, for early vertebrates, there is little such knowledge. In the case of teleost fish, this lack of knowledge has been due to the widely held belief that histamine is not present in this phylogenetic group. However, it has been recently demonstrated, that granules of mast cells in perciforms contain biologically active histamine. More importantly, the inflammatory response was clearly demonstrated to be regulated by the direct action of histamine on professional phagocytes. Nevertheless, the molecular basis and exact role of this biogenic amine in perciforms is still a matter of speculation. Therefore, this review intends to summarize recent experimental evidence regarding fish mast cells and correlate the same with their mammalian counterparts to establish the possible role of histamine in the fish intestinal inflammatory response.

Fish innate immunity against intestinal helminths

Most individual fish in farmed and wild populations are infected with parasites. Upon dissection of fish, helminths from gut are often easily visible. Enteric helminths include several species of digeneans, cestodes, acanthocephalans and nematodes. Some insights into biology, morphology and histopathological effects of the main fish enteric helminths taxa will be described here. The immune system of fish, as that of other vertebrates, can be subdivided into specific and aspecific types, which in vivo act in concert with each other and indeed are interdependent in many ways. Beyond the small number of well-described models that exist, research focusing on innate immunity in fish against parasitic infections is lacking. Enteric helminths frequently cause inflammation of the digestive tract, resulting in a series of chemical and morphological changes in the affected tissues and inducing leukocyte migration to the site of infection. This review provides an overview on the aspecific defence mechanisms of fish intestine against helminths. Emphasis will be placed on the immune cellular response involving mast cells, neutrophils, macrophages, rodlet cells and mucous cells against enteric helminths. Given the relative importance of innate immunity in fish, and the magnitude of economic loss in aquaculture as a consequence of disease, this area deserves considerable attention and support.

Occurrence of immune cells in the intestinal wall of Squalius cephalus infected with Pomphorhynchus laevis

A sub-population of 34 specimens of chub, Squalius cephalus, was sampled from the River Brenta (Northern Italy) and examined for ecto- and endo-parasites. Pomphorhynchus laevis (Acanthocephala) was the only enteric helminth encountered. Immunofluorescence and ultrastructural studies were conducted on the intestines of chub. Near the site of parasite's attachment, mucous cells, mast cells (MCs), neutrophils and rodlet cells (RCs) were found to co-occur within the intestinal epithelium. The numbers of mucous cells, MCs and neutrophils were significantly higher in infected fish (Mann-Whitney U test, p < 0.05). Dual immunofluorescence staining with the lectin Dolichos Biflorus Agglutinin (DBA) and the macrophage-specific MAC387 monoclonal antibody, with parallel transmission electron microscopy, revealed that epithelial MCs often made intimate contact with the mucous cells. Degranulation of a large number of MCs around the site of the acanthocephalan's attachment and in proximity to mucous cells was also documented. MCs and neutrophils were abundant in the submucosa. Immune cells of the intestinal epithelium have been described at the ultrastructural level and their possible functions and interactions are discussed.

Immune parameters in the intestine of wild and reared unvaccinated and vaccinated Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

Forming a barrier to the outside world, the gut mucosa faces the challenge of absorbing nutrients and fluids while initiating immune reactions towards potential pathogens. As a continuation to our previous publication focusing on the regional intestinal morphology in wild caught post smolt and spawning Atlantic salmon, we here investigate selected immune parameters and compare wild, reared unvaccinated and vaccinated post smolts. We observed highest transcript levels for most immune-related genes in vaccinated post smolts followed by reared unvaccinated and finally wild post smolts, indicating that farming conditions like commercial feed and vaccination might contribute to a more alerted immune system in the gut. In all groups, higher levels of immune transcripts were observed in the second segment of mid-intestine and in the posterior segment. In the life stages and conditions investigated here, we found no indication of a previously suggested population of intestinal T cells expressing MHC class II nor RAG1 expression.