Monoclonal antibodies recognizing mucus immunoglobulin and surface immunoglobulin-positive cells of flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

Haemato-Immunological Response of Immunized Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) to Moritella viscosa Challenge and Antigens

Winter ulcer disease is a health issue in the Atlantic salmonid aquaculture industry, mainly caused by Moritella viscosa. Although vaccination is one of the effective ways to prevent bacterial outbreaks in the salmon farming industry, ulcer disease related to bacterial infections is being reported on Canada's Atlantic coast. Here, we studied the immune response of farmed immunized Atlantic salmon to bath and intraperitoneal (ip) M. viscosa challenges and evaluated the immunogenicity of M. viscosa cell components. IgM titers were determined after infection, post boost immunization, and post challenge with M. viscosa. IgM+ (B cell) in the spleen and blood cell populations were also identified and quantified by 3,3 dihexyloxacarbocyanine (DiOC6) and IgM-Texas red using confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. At 14 days post challenge, IgM was detected in the serum and spleen. There was a significant increase in circulating neutrophils 3 days after ip and bath challenges in the M. viscosa outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) boosted group compared to non-boosted. Lymphocytes increased in the blood at 7 and 14 days after the ip and bath challenges, respectively, in OMVs boosted group. Furthermore, a rise in IgM titers was detected in the OMVs boosted group. We determined that a commercial vaccine is effective against M. viscosa strain, and OMVs are the most immunogenic component of M. viscosa cells.

Response of immunoglobulin M in gut mucosal immunity of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) infected with Aeromonas hydrophila

Immunoglobulin (Ig) M is an important immune effector that protects organisms from a wide variety of pathogens. However, little is known about the immune response of gut mucosal IgM during bacterial invasion. Here, we generated polyclonal antibodies against common carp IgM and developed a model of carp infection with Aeromonas hydrophila via intraperitoneal injection. Our findings indicated that both innate and adaptive immune responses were effectively elicited after A. hydrophila infection. Upon bacterial infection, IgM+ B cells were strongly induced in the gut and head kidney, and bacteria-specific IgM responses were detected in high levels both in the gut mucus and serum. Moreover, our results suggested that IgM responses may vary in different infection strategies. Overall, our findings revealed that the infected common carp exhibited high resistance to this representative enteropathogenic bacterium upon reinfection, suggesting that IgM plays a key role in the defense mechanisms of the gut against bacterial invasion. Significantly, the second injection of A. hydrophila induces strong local mucosal immunity in the gut, which is essential for protection against intestinal pathogens, providing reasonable insights for vaccine preparation.

The immune response of pIgR and Ig to Flavobacterium columnare in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

The polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) plays an important role in mediating the transcytosis of polymeric immunoglobulins (pIgs) to protect organisms against pathogen invasion. Here, a polyclonal antibody against grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) recombinant pIgR was developed by immunizing New Zealand white rabbit, and the responses of pIgR, IgM and IgZ were analyzed after bath immunization and intraperitoneal administration with Flavobacterium columnare. The results showed that pIgR transcription level was similar to IgM and IgZ, but pIgR rose much faster and peaked earlier than IgM and IgZ; the pIgR mRNA levels were higher in the skin and spleen for both immunized groups, while IgM and IgZ mRNA expression were higher in skin, gills, and intestines in bath immersion group, or spleen and head kidney in intraperitoneal immunization group. ELISA revealed that the IgM, IgZ and pIgR protein levels were up-regulated in skin mucus, gill mucus, gut mucus and bile, reaching a higher peak level earlier in skin mucus and gill mucus in bath immersion group, but a higher peak level in bile in injection group. Moreover, secretory component molecules were detected in grass carp's skin, gill and intestine mucus and bile, but not in serum, which molecular mass was near the theoretical mass obtained from the sequence of grass carp pIgR. These results demonstrated that bath and intraperitoneal immunization up-regulated pIgR and secretory Ig expression in secretions, which provided more insights into the role of pIgR in immunity and offer insight into ways of protecting teleost against pathogen invasion.

Atonal bHLH transcription factor 1 is an important factor for maintaining the balance of cell proliferation and differentiation in tumorigenesis

Establishing the link between cellular processes and oncogenesis may aid the elucidation of targeted and effective therapies against tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. Previous studies have investigated the mechanisms involved in maintaining the balance between cell proliferation, differentiation and migration. There is increased interest in determining the conditions that allow cancer stem cells to differentiate as well as the identification of molecules that may serve as novel drug targets. Furthermore, the study of various genes, including transcription factors, which serve a crucial role in cellular processes, may present a promising direction for future therapy. The present review described the role of the transcription factor atonal bHLH transcription factor 1 (ATOH1) in signaling pathways in tumorigenesis, particularly in cerebellar tumor medulloblastoma and colorectal cancer, where ATOH1 serves as an oncogene or tumor suppressor, respectively. Additionally, the present review summarized the associated therapeutic interventions for these two types of tumors and discussed novel clinical targets and approaches.

Molecular cloning of polymeric immunoglobulin receptor-like (pIgRL) in flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) and its expression in response to immunization with inactivated Vibrio anguillarum

In the present work, the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor-like (pIgRL) from flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) was firstly cloned and identified. The full length cDNA of flounder pIgRL was of 1393 bp including an open reading frame of 1053 bp, and the deduced pIgRL sequence encoded 350 amino acids, with a predicted molecular mass of 39 kDa. There were two immunoglobulin-like domains in flounder pIgRL. In healthy flounder, the transcriptional level of pIgRL was detected in different tissues by real-time PCR, showing the highest level in the skin and gills, and higher levels in the spleen and hindgut. After flounders were vaccinated with inactivated Vibrio anguillarum via intraperitoneal injection and immersion, the pIgRL mRNA level increased firstly and then declined in all tested tissues during 48 h, and the maximum expression levels in the gills, skin, spleen and hindgut in immersion group, or in the spleen, head kidney, skin and gills in injection group, were higher than in other tested tissues. In addition, recombinant protein of the extracellular region of flounder pIgRL was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), and rabbit anti-pIgRL polyclonal antibodies were prepared, which specifically reacted with the recombinant pIgRL, and a 39 kDa protein confirmed as natural pIgRL by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in skin mucus of flounder. Co-immunoprecipitation assay and western-blotting demonstrated that the pIgRL, together with IgM, could be immunoprecipitated by anti-pIgRL antibody in gut, skin and gill mucus of flounder, suggesting the existence of pIgRL-IgM complexes. These results indicated that the flounder pIgRL was probably involved in the mucosal IgM transportation and played important roles in mucosal immunity.

In-depth proteomic analysis of Boleophthalmus pectinirostris skin mucus

Fish skin mucus serves as the first line of defence against pathogens and external stressors. The mudskipper Boleophthalmus pectinirostris inhabits intertidal mudflats containing abundant and diverse microbial populations; thus, the skin and mucus of B. pectinirostris are very important for immune defence. However, the molecules involved in the immune response and mucus secretion in the skin of this fish are poorly understood. To explore the proteomic profile of the skin mucus and understand the molecular mechanisms underlying B. pectinirostris adaption to amphibious environments, the microstructure of B. pectinirostris skin was analysed, and a series of histochemical procedures were employed for mucous glycoprotein localization and characterization. In addition, the antibacterial activity of B. pectinirostris skin mucus was studied, and the transcriptome of the skin and in-depth proteome of the mucus were determined. These studies revealed the hierarchical structure of B. pectinirostris skin and different types of glycoproteins (GPs) in the dermal bulge (DB) of the B. pectinirostris skin epidermis. The mucus has a broad antimicrobial spectrum and significant effects on the bacterial morphology. Furthermore, 93,914 unigenes were sequenced from B. pectinirostris skin tissue, and a total of 559 proteins were identified from B. pectinirostris skin mucus. SIGNIFICANCE.

Characterization of a specific monoclonal antibody against immunoglobulin light kappa/L1 chain in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

Immunoglobulins (Ig) are heterodimeric proteins that play critical roles in the adaptive immune system of vertebrates. Because of their plasticity, teleostean Igs are more diverse, and thus do not conform to mammalian classifications. Because of this, mammalian-based Ig cell markers cannot be used successfully to study immune responses in fish. There is therefore a need to produce Ig-specific cell markers for fish. Here, we attempted to identify the specific isotype detected by an Ig light chain-specific monoclonal antibody (anti-olive flounder IgL-mAb: M7C3-4) that we had previously produced [11]. Three newly identified sequences of the Ig light chain from olive flounder were classified according to their isotypes. Subsequent analyses revealed that M7C3-4 was able to specifically detect lymphocytes expressing one of the κ chains (Igκ-a) in olive flounder. Interestingly, Igκ-a⁺ B cells were more abundant in spleen and trunk-kidney than in peripheral blood, indicating a distribution different from that of IgM⁺ B cells. Our work reveals interesting aspects of B cell distribution and differentiation, and may aid in the production of suitable and effective cell markers for olive flounder.

Immunoglobulin Tau Heavy Chain (IgT) in Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus: Molecular Cloning, Characterization, and Expression Analyses

Immunoglobulin tau (IgT) is a new teleost immunoglobulin isotype, and its potential function in adaptive immunity is not very clear. In the present study, the membrane-bound and secreted IgT (mIgT and sIgT) heavy chain genes were cloned for the first time and characterized in flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), and found the nucleic acid sequence were exactly same in the Cτ1–Cτ4 constant domains of mIgT and sIgT, but different in variable regions and the C-terminus. The amino acid sequence of mIgT shared higher similarity with Bovichtus diacanthus (51.2%) and Dicentrarchus labrax (45.0%). Amino acid of flounder IgT, IgM, and IgD heavy chain was compared and the highest similarity was found between IgT Cτ1 and IgM Cμ1 (38%). In healthy flounder, the transcript levels of IgT mRNA were the highest in gill, spleen, and liver, and higher in peripheral blood leucocytes, skin, and hindgut. After infection and vaccination with Edwardsiella tarda via intraperitoneal injection and immersion, the qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the IgT mRNA level was significantly upregulated in all tested tissues, with similar dynamic tendency that increased firstly and then decreased, and higher in gill, skin, hindgut, liver, and stomach in immersion than in the injection group, but no significant difference existed in spleen and head kidney between immersion and injection groups. These results revealed that IgT responses could be simultaneously induced in both mucosal and systemic tissues after infection/vaccination via injection and immersion route, but IgT might play a more important role in mucosal immunity than in systemic immunity.

Immune responses of flounder Paralichthys olivaceus vaccinated by immersion of formalin-inactivated Edwardsiella tarda following hyperosmotic treatment

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of hyperosmotic immersion (HI) vaccination and determine the optimum hyperosmotic salinity for flounder Paralichthys olivaceus by investigating its immune responses following vaccination. Flounder were immersed in 1 of 3 hyperosmotic solutions at 50, 60 and 70‰ salinity, then transferred into 30‰ salinity normal seawater containing formalin-inactivated Edwardsiella tarda for vaccination (3 HI groups), or were immersed in normal seawater as direct immersion (DI group). The results showed that the percentages of surface membrane immunoglobulin-positive (sIg+) cells in peripheral blood leukocytes and spleen leukocytes induced by HI were significantly higher than that with DI (p < 0.05), and the 50‰ salinity group showed the strongest response among the HI groups, which reached peaks at Week 4. ELISA assay showed that the specific serum antibodies gradually increased after vaccination and reached peak at Day 32, and the fish treated with HI showed stronger antibody responses; among the HI groups, a significantly higher specific antibody level was detected in the 50‰ salinity group at Day 32 (p < 0.05). Similarly, the fish treated with HI showed higher specific mucosal antibody levels compared to the DI group, and the mucosal antibody showed a faster response, with peak time arriving 1 wk earlier than for the serum antibody. The relative percent survival (RPS) of flounder treated with HI at 50, 60 and 70‰ salinities were 79, 71 and 57% respectively, while this was 43% in the DI group. These results demonstrated that HI, especially the 50‰ salinity, could efficiently enhance the immune response of flounder and show higher RPS. This has significant value for immunological prevention of edwardsiellosis in flounder.

Characterization of IgM-binding protein: A pIgR-like molecule expressed by intestinal epithelial cells in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The adaptive mucosal immune system seems to be an important defence mechanism for fish, but the binding of immunoglobulin M (IgM) in mucosal organs has yet to be clarified in fish. The present study was designed to search for the protein that binds IgM in the intestinal epithelium and determine its distribution in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). The serum-derived carp IgM fraction was isolated by Sephadex G-200 and assessed for purity by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions. Serum IgM was subsequently used in affinity chromatography of IgM-sepharose for isolation of a specific binding protein from the intestinal epithelium. The resultant adsorbed protein (IgM-binding protein) demonstrated a single band using SDS-PAGE, with a relative molecular mass of 43.5 kDa. These results demonstrate for the first time that IgM-sepharose can be used as affinity chromatography to purify membrane proteins that bind IgM in fish. Using immunohistochemistry, we found that the distribution of IgM-binding protein in intestinal tissues was abundant, while that of splenic leukocytes were undetectable. Our study indicates that IgM-binding protein might be involved in transportation of IgM in intestine tissues, which is distinct from the IgM receptor on splenocytes.

Investigation of immunoglobulins in skin of the Antarctic teleost Trematomus bernacchii

The presence and production of IgM in the skin of the Antarctic teleost Trematomus bernacchii were investigated in this study. Immunoglobulins purified from cutaneous mucus and analysed by SDS-PAGE run under non-reducing and reducing conditions, were composed of heavy and light chains of 78 kDa and 25 kDa respectively, with a relative molecular mass of 830 kDa indicating that mucus IgM are tetramers as the serum IgM. Mature transcripts encoding the constant domains of both the secretory and membrane-bound Igμ chain were seen in T. bernacchii skin using a PCR strategy and the expression of the secretory Igμ chain in the skin was compared with that in other tissues by Real-time PCR. Cytological investigations revealed the presence of either immunoglobulins or their transcripts in occasional lymphocytes distributed close to the basal membrane. IgM once produced here, enters the filament-containing cells and is released into the mucus when these cells degenerate and detach from the epidermis. Our findings indicate that a cutaneous defence mechanism, functioning as anatomical and physiological barrier under subzero conditions, is present in this Antarctic species as an important component of the immune system.

Mucus and adiponectin deficiency: role in chronic inflammation-induced colon cancer

PURPOSE

This study aims to define the role of adiponectin (APN) in preventing goblet cell apoptosis and in differentiation of epithelial cells to goblet cell lineage resulting in greater mucus production and hence greater protection from chronic inflammation-induced colon cancer (CICC).

METHODS

Six- to eight-week-old male APNKO and C57BL/6 (WT) mice were randomly distributed to three treatment groups: DSS, DMH, DSS + DMH and control. Chronic inflammation was induced in DSS and DSS + DMH group by administrating 2 % DSS in drinking water for 5 days followed by 5 days of normal drinking water and this constitutes one DSS cycle. Three cycles of DSS were administered to induce chronic inflammation. Cancer was induced in both APNKO and WT mice in DMH and DSS + DMH groups by intraperitoneal injections of DMH (20 mg/kg body weight) once for DSS + DMH group and once per week for 12 weeks for DMH group. On day 129, the colon tissue was dissected for mucus thickness measurements and for genomic studies. HT29-C1.16E and Ls174T cells were used for several genomic and siRNA studies.

RESULTS

APNKO mice have more tumors and tumor area in DSS + DMH group than WT mice. APN deficiency downregulated goblet to epithelial cell ratio and enhanced the colonic mucosal erosion with reduced mucus thickness. APN increases Muc2 production with no affect on Muc1 production. APN abated goblet cell apoptosis, while APN deficiency reduced epithelial to goblet cell differentiation.

CONCLUSION

APN may be involved in reducing the severity of CICC by preventing goblet cell apoptosis and increasing epithelial to goblet cell differentiation.

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of polymeric immunoglobulin receptor in flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

The polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) is one of the most important mucosal effectors mediating the transcytosis of polymeric immunoglobulins (pIgs) to protect the organisms. In this paper, a full-length cDNA of pIgR was firstly cloned from flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) using rapid amplification of cDNA ends approaches, and it was of 1384 bp, containing an open reading frame (ORF) of 1005 bp encoding a polypeptide of 335 amino acids with the predicted molecular mass of 37.6 kDa. The flounder pIgR exhibited a unique structure containing only two immunoglobulin-like domains (ILD) corresponding to mammalian pIgR ILD1 and ILD5. The mRNA transcripts of pIgR were detected in all the tested tissues of flounder by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and the pIgR was expressed at the highest level in liver and higher levels in intestine, gill, skin, spleen and head kidney than in stomach and muscle. The ORF was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and the recombinant protein displayed binding capability to the purified mucus IgM and serum IgM of flounder by ELISA. The polyclonal antibody against flounder recombinant pIgR was developed by immunization of Balb/C mice, which specifically reacted to the recombinant pIgR in Western blot. Moreover, a secretory component-like molecule was detected in the skin mucus but not in the serum of flounder, which molecular mass (about 37 kDa) was near the theoretical mass obtained from the sequence of flounder pIgR. All these results indicated that flounder pIgR probably involved in the pIgs transport and provided insights into the roles of fish pIgR in the mucosal immunity.

Expression and purification of human ARP1 protein and rapid preparation of polyclonal antibody

Angiopoietin-related protein 1 (ARP1) is one of the antiangiogenic factors and plays an important role in endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and blood vessel network formation. Here a rapid method to prepare ARP1 polyclonal antibody in 1 month was developed. The gene of fibrinogen homology domain (FD) for ARP1 was cloned and the protein was expressed in a soluble form of MBP-FD fused protein. The MBP-FD protein was purified using amylose affinity chromatography of maltose-binding protein. Polyclonal antibodies against MBP-FD were obtained through immunization in BALB/c mice. The titer was determined by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the antibody specificity was assessed by Western blot. The full-length ARP1 protein in stable form expressed in transfected human large lung cancer cell lines NCI-H460 was detected by immunocytochemistry (ICC) analysis using ARP1 polyclonal antibodies. The result shows that the antibody possesses good specificity and sensitivity. This work provides a substantial base for the further studies of ARP1 function and associated mechanisms. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Preparative Biochemistry and Biotechnology to view the supplemental file.