Fish cytokines: current research and applications
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REVIEW ARTICLE
Fish cytokines: current research and applications Masahiro Sakai1 · Jun‑ichi Hikima1 · Tomoya Kono1 Received: 28 August 2020 / Accepted: 20 October 2020 © The Author(s) 2020
Abstract Cytokines are low molecular weight glycoproteins involved in the regulation of the immune system, and more than 100 cytokines have hitherto been identified in humans. Cytokines similar to those found in humans have also been found in fish. The innate immune response of fish can be examined by using cytokines as markers. We developed a multiplex reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction assay to analyze the expression of various cytokine genes. Using this assay, we were able to investigate the fish immune response when it had been activated by immunostimulants. The involvement of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1β, in the immune system of fish was revealed following administration of an immunostimulant. Keywords Cytokine · Immunostimulant · Multiplex reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction assay · Fish
Introduction A major concern in aquaculture is the occurrence of fish diseases, which have hitherto mainly been controlled by administering antibacterial agents. However, because of the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria and problems associated with food hygiene as a consequence, it is preferable to avoid treating fish diseases with antibacterial drugs (Sakai 1999). The immune system of higher vertebrates comprises innate and acquired immunity. Acquired immunity involves the recognition of foreign antigens via antigen receptors on T- and B-lymphocyte membranes. These antigen receptors are activated via antigen stimulation and have high affinity to a specific antigen. The establishment of acquired immunity usually requires several days, and a rapid immune response to, for example, microbial infection is not always initiated Published with support by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI Grant no. JP19HP2002. * Masahiro Sakai [email protected]‑u.ac.jp Jun‑ichi Hikima [email protected]‑u.ac.jp Tomoya Kono [email protected]‑u.ac.jp 1
(Nakanishi et al. 2018). On the other hand, an innate immune response is required at the early stages of infection and is mainly attained through the action of phagocytes and humoral factors (Nakanishi et al. 2018). Innate immunity is conventionally regarded as more important than acquired immunity in preventing infectious diseases in fish. Cytokines are mainly secreted by cells of both the innate and acquired immune systems. These molecules effect small physiological changes via specific receptors present on target cell surfaces and are responsible for signal transmission between cells (Zou and Secombes 2016). Cytokines play an important role in the innate immune response of fish. In this review, recent research on cytokine genes is presented, with a specific focus on describing the molecules important to the innate immune responses of fish, and the immunostimulants that elicit them.
Fish cytokines Cytokines are involved in various
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