Innate immunity of salmonids

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

These studies are designed to better understand innate resistance of fish to infectious disease and the adaptive response to stress. We are interested in proteins produced as part of the acute phase response. These proteins are produced as a reaction to tissue damage and infection and many of these proteins are responsible for resistance to disease during the period before an adaptive immune response can develop. They act, in part, by binding to the surface of infectious organisms and mediating clearance by phagocytes or by neutralizing tissue-damaging enzymes. To identify these proteins we have used novel, highly sensitive proteomics techniques. We have identified candidate proteins that may be useful as highly sensitive indicators of adverse health in rainbow trout and this research will evaluate their usefulness. We have also used functional binding assays to identify serum proteins that bind to bacterial surfaces. We have identified proteins that may be relevant for resistance to specific bacterial pathogens and this research will address some of the mechanisms by which fish recognize and eliminate infectious agents. We will also examine a novel mechanism of stress-induced immunosuppression. This research may eventually allow the development of assays for selection for disease resistance. Selection for individuals that are inherently resistant to disease will reduce the need for widespread use of antibiotics in farmed fish. Assays of adverse health will also provide objective tools to evaluate husbandry practices on stress and productivity allowing fish farmers to respond effectively to ethical concerns regarding the intensive management of fish.