Three tetraspanins from Chinese shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis, may play important roles in WSSV infection

Three members of the tetraspanin/TM₄SF superfamily were cloned from Chinese shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis . The deduced amino acid sequences of the three proteins have typical motifs of the tetraspanin/TM₄SF superfamily. Phylogenetic analysis of the proteins, together with the known tetraspanins of invertebrates and vertebrates, revealed that they belong to different tetraspanin subfamilies: CD9, CD63 and tetraspanin-3. The three cloned genes of CD9, CD63 and tetraspanin-3 showed apparently different tissue distributions. The CD9 gene ( FcCD9 ) was specifically expressed in the hepatopancreas. While for the CD63 gene ( FcCD63 ), the highest expression was detected in nerves, epidermis and heart, with low expression in haemocytes, ovary, gill, hepatopancreas and stomach and no expression in intestine, muscle and lymphoid organ. Compared with FcCD9 and FcCD63 , the tetraspanin-3 gene ( FcTetraspanin-3 ) was more broadly expressed and its highest expression was detected in the intestine. Its expression in nerves was lower than in the intestine, but was higher than in other tissues. Expression in haemocytes, ovary and muscle was much lower than in other tissues. The expression profiles of FcCD9 , FcCD63 and FcTetraspanin-3 in different tissues, including haemocytes, lymphoid organ and hepatopancreas, were compared by real-time PCR when shrimp were challenged by live white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and heat-inactivated WSSV. All three tetraspanins were markedly up-regulated in the live WSSV-challenged shrimp tissues. The data suggested that the three cloned members of TM₄SF superfamily in Chinese shrimp may play a key role in the route of WSSV infection.     

Functional characterization of Farfantepenaeus californiensis, Litopenaeus vannamei and L. stylirostris haemocyte separated using density gradient centrifugation

Haemocytes from penaeid shrimp (Farfantepenaeus californiensis, Litopenaeus vannamei and L. stylirostris) were separated using a discontinuous Percoll gradient. Shrimp haemocytes were spontaneously adhered to glass, allowing slide preparations for staining and microscopic differential counting. Like other crustaceans, shrimp has three main populations differing in presence and size of cytoplasmic granules and each population seems to be biochemical or functionally compromised. Prophenoloxidase (proPO )activity was mainly located in large granules haemocytes (75%) while the small granules cells participate with 25%, but seem to be responsible for encapsulation. Haemocyte discrimination ability was tested using Sephadex? (Seph?), DEAE‐Seph? and CM‐Seph?. Only DEAE‐Seph? was encapsulated by shrimp haemocytes and provoked the release of proPO activating system, indicating the role of particle charge in the activation of shrimp immune response.     

Different expression of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) haemocytes to Vibrio and abiotic particle inoculation

Penaeid shrimps are among the most studied crustaceans, mainly regarding their immune system, and several proteins involved in the defense against pathogens have been described. Haemocytes are very dynamic cells responsible of recognition, phagocytosis, degranulation and nodule formation, but still little is known about their gene expression. Using differential display, we found modification in haemocyte gene expression after inoculation with an abiotic particle (DEAE‐Sephadex) or potential pathogenic bacteria (Vibrio alginolyticus). We also noticed that some of the newly expressed genes are exclusive from a specific treatment. Here we report that haemocytes from Litopenaeus vannamei are capable of recognizing and distinguishing different foreign materials, and respond specifically to each treatment, indicating some specificity in shrimp immune response.     

Molecular cloning,sequence analysis and tissue expression of translationally controlled tumour protein from the WSSV‐infected Indian shrimp Penaeus indicus

The gene coding for translationally controlled tumour protein (TCTP) was polymerase chain reaction amplified from haemocyte cDNA of Indian shrimp, Penaeus indicus, and sequenced. The N‐terminal region, a conserved one among all the TCTPs, was shown to have one substitution at position 37, in the Indian isolate. Besides this, there were two substitutions in the C‐terminal region (135, 149), exclusive to the Indian isolate. Phylogenetic analysis suggested a close relatedness of TCTP from P. indicus to Fenneropenaeus chinensis compared with other isolates. Translationally controlled tumour protein gene expression was found to be elevated in the haemocytes of WSSV‐infected shrimps compared with the uninfected ones. However, tissues from the infected shrimps did not exhibit any detectable levels of TCTP expression.     

Analysis of viral load between different tissues and rate of progression of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in Penaeus monodon

At present the most common and most devastating disease of shrimp is caused by the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), which has spread throughout the world mainly by different species of crustaceans carrying the virus. After experimental injection of Penaeus monodon with a known copy number of WSSV in the abdominal muscle, the rate of viral progression in different tissues at 12, 24, 36 and 48 hpi (hours post infection) was assessed using quantitative real‐time PCR. At 12 hpi the viral load was highest in haemocytes followed by pleopod, muscle and gills whereas at 48 hpi, the gills, the main target of WSSV, showed the highest viral load followed by pleopod, muscle and haemocytes. Viral copy number in the haemocytes was the lowest beyond 12 hpi indicating a remarkable reduction in the rate of viral replication in haemocytes compared with other tissues. The viral load in haemocytes, though increased again beyond 36 hpi, never surpassed the load in the other tissues. The real‐time PCR assay with its high sensitivity and wide dynamic range make it ideal for detecting low‐level WSSV infections that can occur in apparently healthy P. monodon.     

Immune responses of whiteleg shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931), to bacterially expressed dsRNA specific to VP28 gene of white spot syndrome virus

In this study, dsRNA specific to VP28 gene of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) of shrimp was synthesized in Escherichia coli in large scale and studied the immune response of shrimp to dsRNA‐VP28. The haematological parameters such as clotting time and total haemocytes counts, and immunological parameters such as prophenoloxidase (proPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), superoxide anion (SOA) and malondialdehyde content, as well as the mRNA expression of ten immune‐related genes were examined to estimate the effect of dsRNA‐VP28 on the innate immunity of Litopenaeus vannamei. The activities of proPO, SOA and SOD significantly increased in haemocyte after dsRNA‐VP28 treatment, whereas MDA content did not change significantly. Among the ten immune‐related genes examined, only the mRNA expression of proPO, cMnSOD, haemocyanin, crustin, BGBP, lipopolysaccharides (LPs), lectin and lysozyme in haemocytes, gill and hepatopancreas of L. vannamei, was significantly upregulated at 12 h after dsRNA‐VP28 treatment, while no significant expression changes were observed in Toll receptor and tumour receptor genes. The increase of proPO and SOD activities, and SOA level and mRNA expression level of proPO, cMnSOD, haemocyanin, crustin, BGBP, LPs, lectin and lysozyme after dsRNA‐VP28 stimulation indicate that these immune‐related genes were involved in dsRNA‐VP28‐induced innate immunity in shrimp.     

Comparative study of the intracellular superoxide anion production in different penaeid species through the NBT‐reduction assay

The capacity of reactive oxygen intermediates production upon haemocyte stimulation is one of the most important immunoparameter utilized to assess the health status in cultivated shrimps. In the present study, we compared oxidative stress potential, by measuring the superoxide anion production in three penaeid shrimps: two wild Atlantic species, the pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus paulensis and the white shrimp Litopenaeus schmitti and one cultivated Pacific species, the white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, through the nitro‐blue‐tetrazolium‐reduction assay. We also proposed an optimized experimental protocol for this assay, that produces rapid and consistent results with low levels of basal superoxide anion (O₂^?) production by unstimulated haemocytes and high levels of this oxygen radical after cell stimulation. Among the different cell elicitors used (zymosan, laminarin, lipopolysaccharide and phorbol myristate acetate), laminarin (β‐1,3‐glucans – 2 mg mL^?1) was the most potent cell activator for the haemocytes of all three penaeids and we recommend this immunostimulant to routinely evaluate shrimp respiratory burst. In general terms, the most elevated levels of O₂^? production, after cell stimulation with microbial components, were detected in L. schmitti. Interestingly, the stimulation profile of the haemocytes of L. vannamei was more similar to F. paulensis, than to L. schmitti, which is more phylogenetically related.     

Protein expression profiling in haemocytes and plasma of the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum in response to infection with Perkinsus olseni

The protein expression profiling in clam haemocytes and plasma in response to Perkinsus olseni was addressed. Adult Manila clams from a P. olseni‐free bed were experimentally challenged with parasite zoospores to analyse immune response. In another experiment, the effects of longer term infection were assessed in adult clams collected from a P. olseni‐affected bed, by comparing moderate to very heavily infected clams with non‐infected ones. Haemocyte and plasma proteins were separated by two‐dimensional electrophoresis; spot patterns were qualitatively compared between treatments within each experiment and the spots indicating differential protein expression associated with P. olseni challenge or with field infection were processed for protein identification. Fifteen clam proteins (four in haemocytes and eleven in plasma) of which expression was markedly affected by P. olseni were identified. Some of the identified proteins have a well‐known role in clam immune response against the parasite, such as lysozyme and lectins. Rho GTPase‐activating protein 6 could be a marker of resistance against P. olseni, which should be further studied.     

Molecular isolation and characterization of a haemocyanin of Macrobrachium rosenbergii reveal its antibacterial activities

Haemocyanin is a multi‐subunit protein complex found in the haemolymph and is involved in the immune system of crustaceans. In this study, a haemocyanin gene of Macrobrachium rosenbergii, designated MrHc, was successfully isolated. The MrHc gene contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 1,992 nucleotides, encoding a protein of 663 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 76.5 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence contained distinct structural motifs of the haemocyanin superfamily, including an all‐alpha domain, a copper‐containing domain and an immunoglobulin‐like domain. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, the MrHC protein demonstrated a close relationship with the haemocyanins of Palaemon carinicauda and Macrobrachium nipponense. The MrHc gene was expressed in various shrimp tissues, including the hepatopancreas, gill, haemocytes, stomach and muscle. After Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) challenge tests, the MrHc gene was up‐regulated 237‐fold at day 2. A recombinant protein of the MrHc immunoglobulin‐like domain exhibited antibacterial activity against Vibrio vulnificus, V. parahaemolyticus, Aeromonas caviae, A. veronii, A. hydrophila and Bacillus cereus. This study suggested that MrHc may play important roles in the shrimp innate immune response to MrNV infection and bacterial infection.     

Kinetic analysis of internalization of white spot syndrome virus by haemocyte subpopulations of penaeid shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone), and the outcome for virus and cell

Little is known about the innate antiviral defence of shrimp haemocytes. In this context, the haemocytes of penaeid shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) were separated by iodixanol density gradient centrifugation into five subpopulations (sub): sub 1 (hyalinocytes), sub 2 and 3 (prohyalinocytes), sub 4 (semigranulocytes) and sub 5 (granulocytes) and exposed to beads, white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and ultraviolet (UV)‐killed WSSV. In a first experiment, the uptake of beads, white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and UV‐killed WSSV by these different haemocyte subpopulations was investigated using confocal microscopy. Only haemocytes of sub 1, 4 and 5 were internalizing beads, WSSV and UV‐killed WSSV. Beads were engulfed by a much larger percentage of cells (91.2 in sub 1; 84.1 in sub 4 and 58.1 in sub 5) compared to WSSV (9.6 in sub 1; 10.5 in sub 4 and 7.9 in sub 5) and UV‐killed WSSV (12.9 in sub 1; 13.3 in sub 4; and 11.8 in sub 5). In a second experiment, it was shown that upon internalization, WSS virions lost their envelope most probably by fusion with the cellular membrane of the endosome (starting between 30 and 60 min post‐inoculation) and that afterwards the capsid started to become disintegrated (from 360 min post‐inoculation). Expression of new viral proteins was not observed. Incubation of haemocyte subpopulations with WSSV but not with UV‐killed WSSV and polystyrene beads resulted in a significant drop in haemocyte viability. To find the underlying mechanism, a third experiment was performed in which haemocyte subpopulations were exposed to a short WSSV DNA fragment (VP19) and CpG ODNs. These small DNA fragments induced cell death. In conclusion, WSSV is efficiently internalized by hyalinocytes, semigranulocytes and granulocytes, after which the virus loses its envelope; as soon as the capsids start to disintegrate, cell death is activated, which in part may be explained by the exposure of viral DNA to cellular‐sensing molecules.     

Molecular characterization and expression analysis of heat shock proteins 40, 70 and 90 from kuruma shrimp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Marsupenaeus japonicus</Emphasis>

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are proteins that are expressed more strongly when the cells are exposed to physiological and stressful conditions. In this study, the full-length cDNAs of heat shock proteins 40 (MjHSP40), 70 (MjHSP70) and 90 (MjHSP90) were cloned from kuruma shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus. The open reading frames (ORFs) of the cDNA clones have lengths of 1,191, 1,959 and 2,172 bp and encode 396, 652 and 723 amino acid residues, respectively. The predicted MjHSP40 amino acid sequence contains a J domain, a glycine/phenylalanine-rich region, and a central domain containing four repeats of a CxxCxGxG motif, indicating that it is a type I HSP40 homolog. The signature sequences of the HSP70 and HSP90 gene families are conserved in the MjHSP70 and MjHSP90 amino acid sequences. The deduced amino acid sequences of MjHSP70 and MjHSP90 share high identity with previously reported shrimp HSP70s and HSP90s, respectively. The expression of MjHSP90 mRNA increased at 32°C. Additionally, the expressions of MjHSP40, MjHSP70 and MjHSP90 mRNAs increased in defense-related tissues (i.e., hemocytes and lymphoid organ) when the shrimp were challenged with white spot syndrome virus.     

日本沼虾C型凝集素结构域家族3的cDNA克隆、原核表达和定位分析

C型凝集素(C-type lectin)是一类能与糖类结合的非抗体的蛋白质或糖蛋白家族,为了研究C型凝集素基因在日本沼虾组织分布、细胞定位和细菌感染过程中的表达情况,本研究应用cDNA末端快速克隆(rapid-amplification of cDNA ends,RACE)技术首次克隆了日本沼虾C型凝集素结构域家族3基因(MnLec3)的全长序列,通过实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)分析MnLec3基因在不同组织、细菌感染后不同时间的表达水平,Western blot和免疫荧光分别分析蛋白的表达水平和细胞定位。结果显示,MnLec3基因cDNA全长1 357 bp,包括125 bp的5′末端非翻译区(UTR)、1 026 bp的开放阅读框(ORF)和206 bp的3′UTR,其中开放阅读框编码341个氨基酸。氨基酸序列比对显示,日本沼虾MnLec3基因含有保守钙结合点(Met 1-Glu17)和糖识别结构域(CRD)。同源性分析结果显示,MnLec3与罗氏沼虾C型凝集素3相似度较高;邻接法(Neighbor-Joining,NJ)进化树分析结果显示,MnLec3与其他甲壳动物C型凝集素聚为一支。通过构建原核表达载体获得体外重组蛋白rMnLec3,并将纯化重组蛋白免疫大鼠获得抗血清,免疫荧光结果显示,绿色荧光信号主要在肝胰腺细胞核中表达。qRT-PCR结果显示,MnLec3在日本沼虾所检测组织中均表达,其中肝胰腺中表达量最高,血细胞次之;与对照组相比,在嗜水气单胞菌刺激12～48 h时MnLec3表达量显著升高,48 h表达量最高,Western blot分析结果显示,MnLec3蛋白表达丰度与基因表达模式基本相似,提示克隆得到的MnLec3参与日本沼虾抵御细菌入侵的免疫过程。     

Dietary fulvic acid effects on survival and expression of immune‐related genes in Litopenaeus vannamei challenged with Vibrio parahaemolyticus

The effects of fulvic acid (FA) on survival and immune‐related gene expression were investigated in Litopenaeus vannamei challenged with Vibrio parahaemolyticus by immersion. Shrimp were fed with different dietary FA concentrations (1, 2, 4 and 6 g/kg feed) for 20 days (first bioassay) or 8 days (second bioassay, 2 g/kg feed of FA added every 2 days) and then challenged with V. parahaemolyticus. In a third bioassay, the expression of three immune‐related genes (translationally controlled tumour protein [TCTP], superoxide dismutase [SOD] and heat‐shock protein 70 [HSP70]) in haemocytes or hepatopancreas of experimental shrimp was measured by real‐time quantitative PCR at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hr after FA (2 g/kg feed) administration. Fulvic acid increased survival at a concentration of 2 g/kg feed supplied every two days. Interestingly, TCTP gene expression was upregulated, whereas gene expression of SOD and HSP70 was downregulated. In conclusion, dietary fulvic acid improves survival in white shrimp challenged with V. parahaemolyticus and modulates the immune response. Therefore, FA merits further evaluation as prophylactic treatment in commercial shrimp farms.     

镉胁迫对凡纳滨对虾血细胞基因表达的影响

为探讨镉(Cd)胁迫下凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)血细胞的分子响应,以不同浓度的Cd2+(0,0.5 mg/L和5 mg/L)进行胁迫,于不同胁迫时间取血淋巴,测定血细胞中Trx 2、Grx 2、Grx 3和MGST 3的基因表达量变化.结果显示,Trx 2、Grx 3和MGST 3表达量在胁...     

pH、氨氮胁迫对中国对虾HSP90基因表达的影响

研究了pH、氨氮胁迫对中国对虾Fenneropenaeus chinensis血细胞、肝胰腺、鳃和肌肉组织HSP90基因时空表达的影响.分别将中国对虾暴露于pH7.0、9.0的水体中148h和不同氨氮浓度的水体中96h,结果表明,pH（7.0,9.0）胁迫条件下中国对虾鳃、肌肉和血细胞HSP90基因表达均上调,肝胰腺HSP90基因表达对两种pH胁迫差异明显：pH7.0胁迫条件下,HSP90基因表达3h达峰值后明显降低;pH 9.0胁迫时,HSP90基因表达水平逐渐升高,整个胁迫过程中均显著高于对照组（P＜0.05）,说明中国对虾肝胰腺组织是高pH胁迫的响应器官.6mg/L氨氮浓度组鳃和肌肉组织HSP90基因表达水平24h达最高值,分别为对照组的5.46和1.55倍;各胁迫组肝胰腺和血细胞HSP90基因表达水平分别于6h和48h达到最高值,为对照组的1.33～2.08倍和2.20～5.45倍.肝胰腺组织对氨氮胁迫表现敏感,短时间内（6h）通过上调HSP90基因表达水平保护细胞;鳃组织HSP90基因表达波动范围最大,说明鳃组织需要更高表达量的HSP90保护细胞.当氨氮浓度持续48～96h维持在2～6mg/L,各组织HSP90基因表达水平显著降低.     

Strain and dose infectivity of Vibrio parahaemolyticus: the causative agent of early mortality syndrome in shrimp

Diseases of shrimp have contributed to billions of dollars of economic loss in the aquaculture industry. Newly emerging strains of the bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus produce a condition in shrimp called early mortality syndrome or acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease. Three different V. parahaemolyticus strains were evaluated for their respective pathogenicity on shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, when the bacterial strains were grown under various laboratory conditions prior to inoculating shrimp. For each trial, feed was inoculated with a known concentration of bacteria and then fed to the shrimp. The early mortality syndrome strain of V. parahaemolyticus was the most lethal resulting up to 100% mortality within 24 h after being introduced to shrimp via a single feeding. The other two strains of Vibrio, one isolated from the environment and the other from a human clinical case, resulted in 0% and 30% mortality within 96 h respectively. The concentration of the early mortality syndrome strain of V. parahaemolyticus that the shrimp were exposed to directly correlated with mortality rate, which allowed for lethal or sublethal short‐term disease challenge assays to be established. Infiltration of haemocytes was also evident in the midgut caeca of shrimp infected with the early mortality syndrome strain of V. parahaemolyticus, which has not been previously reported.     

中国明对虾C 型凝集素基因(Fclectin)的重组表达及活性分析

研究拟通过分析对虾C型凝集素的活性特点,探讨其在对虾先天免疫应答过程中的潜在功能以及在养殖生产实践中的应用。实验利用原核表达系统对中国明对虾C-型凝集素基因的两个串联的糖识别结构域(carbohydrate recognition domain,CRD)进行了重组表达,并通过纯化复性获得了重组目的蛋白(rFclectin-CRD1和rFclectin-CRD2)。活性分析结果显示,重组目的蛋白对多种病原菌有凝集和抑制生长的作用,并且具有Ca2+依赖活性;其凝集活性可被半乳糖、肽聚糖、脂多糖等多种病原相关分子模式所抑制,研究结果证实,Fclectin是一种典型的C-型凝集素,它可能作为中国明对虾先天免疫中重要的模式识别受体,在一定程度上参与了机体应答病原微生物的防御过程。     

Identification of immune cells interacting with Vibrio spp. and its in vitro post-phagocytic killing mechanism of haemocytes in the penaeid shrimp, Penaeus indicus H. Milne Edwards

Immune cells were identified and their interaction towards Vibrio alginolyticus, V. parahaemolyticus and V. anguillarum was studied in vitro in the penaeid shrimp, Penaeus indicus. Haemocytes were divided into agranulocytes, semi-dense granulocytes and dense granulocytes according to their morphology. Agranulocytes (100%) and 0.3–0.7% of granulocytes were actively involved in coagulation. Granulocytes were involved in in vitro phagocytosis and encapsulation of foreign materials. Phagocytosis was enhanced by prior opsonization of bacteria with cell-free shrimp haemolymph. Semi-dense granulocytes were phagocytic towards V. alginolyticus with and without opsonization at the rate of 91.1% and 83.1%, respectively ( P < 0.05 ). Granulocyte death observed after 2 h with opsonized haemolymph was 26.1%. About 64.5% of dense granulocytes and 23.2% of semi-dense granulocytes were actively involved in encapsulation, forming capsules. A spectrophotometric nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction assay was used to demonstrate the production of superoxide anions (O₂⁻) by shrimp haemocytes. All the Vibrio spp. were able to induce superoxide anions (O₂⁻) during phagocytosis. Live Vibrio sp. induced O₂⁻ production in haemocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Significant activity was detected with a 40:1 bacteria to haemocyte ratio ( P < 0.05 ). NBT reduction assay for measuring the post-phagocytic killing mechanism in shrimp haemocytes might be a valuable tool for monitoring shrimp health and immunological studies.     

Differential responses to low salinity on gene expression,physiological and biochemical indexes between the golden and brown noble scallops Chlamys nobilis

Low salinity is one of important environmental factors which often led to mass mortality of the noble scallop Chlamys nobilis cultivated in the South coast of China. It is well known that enzymic system and non‐enzymic system both play crucial roles in all living organisms against severe environments. To investigate how change about enzymic system and non‐enzymic system in the stenohaline marine bivalve under low salinity stress, an acute challenge lasting 48 hr was conducted using golden and brown noble scallops in the present study. The serine proteinase inhibitor from the noble scallop (CnSPI) was first cloned and expressed in different tissues. After low salinity stress, the gene expression levels were determined in haemocytes and compared between golden and brown scallops. Meanwhile, total carotenoids content (TCC) in adductor, superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymatic activity and methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) content in gill and haemocytes were also determined and compared between the two colours scallops. Results showed that the CnSPI gene expression levels were significantly decreased after low salinity stress, and the golden scallops had higher gene expression levels than brown scallops (p < .05) at most times. Moreover, after low salinity stress, TCC, SOD enzymatic activity and MDA content also fluctuated, and the golden scallops contained higher TCC and SOD, but lower MDA than the brown ones. The present results indicated that enzymic system and non‐enzymic system were both changed under low salinity stress in the noble scallop and significantly different responses to the stress existed between golden and brown individuals. The SPI gene and carotenoids (CAR) both play a resistant role to low salinity stress in the noble scallop.