The response of intestinal mucous cells to the presence of enteric helminths: their distribution,histochemistry and fine structure

Histochemical and ultrastructural investigations were conducted on the mucous cells of the intestine of brown trout, Salmo trutta L., naturally infected with the cestode Cyathocephalus truncatus (Pallas, 1781) and the acanthocephalan Echinorhynchus truttae Shrank, 1788. A subpopulation of 45 S. trutta were examined of which 15 specimens harboured E. truttae, 15 of which were infected with C. truncatus and 15 fish, the control group, were uninfected. In histological sections, hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the mucous cells were evident at the site of parasite infection. Enhanced mucus secretion was also recorded in infected fish. The number of mucous cells close to the site of parasite attachment within the intestine was significantly higher than the number detected in uninfected individuals and in infected individuals at sites 1 cm or greater from the point of parasite attachment. There were no significant differences between the number of mucous cells found at the latter two sites. Alcian blue and periodic acid‐Schiff’s staining of representative histological sections revealed a significant increase in the number of mucous cells staining positively for acid glycoconjugates compared to the number of cells found in the intestines of uninfected S. trutta. In transmission electron microscopy sections, each mucous cell typically possessed an elongated, basally positioned nucleus. The cytoplasm was observed to possess numerous electron dense and lucent vesicles, in addition to well‐developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and a few round mitochondria.     

Identification of a heparin-binding,mesoderm-inducing peptide in the swim-bladder of the red seabream,Pagrus major: a probable fish fibroblast growth factor

The brain, pituitary, liver, ovary and swim-bladder of the red seabream (Pagrus major) were screened for the presence of a growth factor capable of stimulating the proliferation of BHK-21 cells, and the swimbladder extract was found to exert the most powerful activity. Swim-bladder derived growth factor (SBDGF) with heparin-binding ability was isolated by heparin-affinity and size-exclusion chromatography using heparin-Sepharose CL-6B and Superose 12, respectively. The relative molecular mass of SBDGF was 22,500 and the isoelectric point was 9.4. The growth of mammalian fibroblasts (BALB/3c 3T3, BHK-21) and endothelial cells (CPAE) was markedly stimulated by SBDGF. Its growth-promoting activity was also effective in fish fibroblasts (BF-2 and RTG-2), and was heat- and acid-labile. In the mesoderm-induction assay, explants of presumptive ectoderm dissected from Xenopus laevis blastulae (stage 9) were incubated with SBDGF. SBDGF induced ventral mesoderm in the explants, including hemocyte-like cells, mesenchyme and coelomic epithelium. These properties suggest that SBDGF is a fish fibroblast growth factor and that the swim-bladder is the source.     

剑尾鱼脑细胞系的建立及细胞色素P4501A的诱导表达

为了构建剑尾鱼脑细胞系并探讨其细胞色素P4501 a(CYP1A)基因的诱导效应,实验通过胰蛋白酶消化法对剑尾鱼脑组织进行体外培养,经连续继代培养,建立了可稳定传代的脑细胞系,命名为SFB.SFB最适培养液为含有15％胎牛血清(FBS)的DMEM/F-12和L-15等比混合培养液,培养条件为27℃,5％ CO2.生长特性研究表明,第65代细胞的群体倍增时间为43.048h,显示出旺盛的生长和分裂能力.染色体分析发现,培养细胞的染色体众数为48条,SFB核型公式为2n =2st +46t,臂指数(NF) =48,与剑尾鱼一致.诱导实验表明,SFB在10-8～ 10-5 mol/L的苯并(a)芘诱导下,CYP1A mRNA表达量显著提升,且表现出良好的剂量效应关系.脑细胞系的建立为剑尾鱼的毒理学评价研究提供了便利,也为其系统的生态毒理学应用打下基础.     

In vitro assessment of the antimicrobial efficacy of chitosan nanoparticles against major fish pathogens and their cytotoxicity to fish cell lines

Nanotechnology is an emerging avenue employed in disease prevention and treatment. This study evaluated the antimicrobial efficacy of chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) against major bacterial and oomycete fish pathogens in comparison with chitosan suspension. Initially, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC, MIC₉₀) were determined and the per cent inhibition of bacterial growth was calculated. Subsequently, the minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were determined. The time-dependent disruptions of CSNP-treated pathogens were observed via transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the effect of CSNPs on the viability of two fish cell lines was assessed. No antimicrobial effect was observed with chitosan, while CSNPs (105 nm) exhibited a dose-dependent and species-specific antimicrobial properties. They were bactericidal against seven bacterial isolates recording MBC values from 1 to 7 mg/ml, bacteriostatic against four further isolates recording MIC values from 0.125 to 5 mg/ml and fungistatic against oomycetes recording MIC₉₀ values of 3 and 4 mg/ml. TEM micrographs showed the attachment of CSNPs to the pathogenic cell membranes disrupting their integrity. No significant cytotoxicity was observed using 1 mg/ml CSNPs, while low dose-dependent cytotoxicity was elicited by the higher doses. Therefore, it is anticipated that CSNPs are able to compete and reduce using antibiotics in aquaculture.     

鳜脑组织细胞系的建立及其病毒敏感性研究

鱼类细胞是开展鱼类病毒分离鉴定、功能基因分析以及生物制品制备等研究的重要物质基础。鳜(Siniperca chuatsi)是深受养殖者和消费者欢迎的养殖品种。随着鳜鱼养殖产量的逐年增加,其病害问题尤其是病毒病问题也日趋严重,但是,可用于鳜鱼病毒分离和基因功能分析的鳜细胞系缺乏。本研究采用组织块消化法,对来源鳜脑组织的细胞进行原代培养,建立了鳜脑组织细胞系,命名为MFB。MFB细胞在28℃含10%胎牛血清的L-15中已稳定传代超过70次,第25代鳜脑组织细胞的染色体众数为56。采用免疫荧光细胞化学技术(β-tubulin和Neu-N)鉴定MFB细胞的神经元纯度,结果显示,培养的MFB细胞为神经元类细胞。病毒敏感性实验结果显示,鳜蛙虹彩病毒(MFRaIV)、大口黑鲈蛙虹彩病毒(LMBRaIV)和大鲵虹彩病毒(GSIV)均可在MFB细胞中产生典型细胞病变效应,病毒滴度分别为108.68±0.12、108.36±0.15、1010.15±1.85 TCID50/mL。使用脂质体Lipofectamine®2000将pEGFP-N1转入MFB细胞,转染效率可达20%。本研究建立的鳜脑组织细胞系不仅对多种蛙虹彩病毒敏感,而且转染质粒效率较高,为鳜病毒性病原的分离及基因功能研究奠定了前期基础。     

Preferential distribution of fish larvae in the California Current System: Time,space, and temperature

The preferential larval distributions of 22 fish species in the California Current System were identified in their temporal, spatial, and thermal domains using single parameter quotient analysis. This analysis allowed the characterization of their reproductive habitats based on ranges of preference, tolerance, and avoidance. In the temporal domain, the species’ preference intervals were wider than those previously reported, and all species showed preferences during two or more seasons of the year. In the spatial domain, the preferential distributions of the species were also wider, and some of them had different preferred zones from those described in previous works. Because one group of species was preferably distributed in coastal zones, and the other group was preferably distributed in oceanic zones, the biological production mechanisms sustaining these groups differ, namely, coastal upwelling and geostrophic fluxes of subarctic origin, respectively. In the thermal domain, the larval distribution preferences of 20 of 22 species have been determined for the first time, providing important information on their thermal tolerance window during the larval stage, a window that changes in width throughout each of the ontogenetic stages of fish. The distribution in each domain suggests association patterns between species, but additional studies are necessary to validate these patterns.     

Salmonid fish viruses and cell interactions at early steps of the infective cycle

A flow cytometric virus-binding assay that directly visualizes the binding and entry of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) and virus haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) to several cell lines was established. The highest efficiency of binding was shown by the BF-2 cell line and this was used to study, at the attachment level, the interactions of these cells with salmonid fish viruses in coinfections, and to further determine if the earliest stage of the viral growth cycle could explain the previously described loss of infectivity of IHNV when IPNV is present. Our results demonstrated that IPNV binds to around 88% of cells either in single or dual infections, whereas IHNV attachment always decreased in the presence of any of the other viruses. VHSV binding was not affected by IPNV, but coinfection with IHNV reduced the percentage of virus-binding cells, which suggests competition for viral receptors or co-receptors. Internalization of the adsorbed IHNV was not decreased by coinfection with IPNV, so the hypothetical competence could be restricted to the binding step. Treatment of the cells with antiviral agents, such as amantadine or chloroquine, did not affect the binding of IPNV and VHSV, but reduced IHNV binding by more than 30%. Tributylamine affected viral binding of the three viruses to different degrees and inhibited IPNV or IHNV entry in a large percentage of cells treated for 30 min. Tributylamine also inhibited IHNV cytopathic effects in a dose-dependent manner, decreasing the virus yield by 4 log of the 50% endpoint titre, at 10 mm concentration. IPNV was also inhibited, but at a lower level. The results of this study support the hypothesis that IHNV, in contrast to VHSV or IPNV, is less efficient at completing its growth cycle in cells with a simultaneous infection with IPNV. It can be affected at several stages of viral infection and is more sensitive to the action of antiviral compounds.     

Partial susceptibility of the SSN-1 fish cell line to a crustacean virus: a defective replication study

This study evaluated the possible use of the fish SSN-1 cell line to investigate the development of Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV). Cells were incubated with viral particles and cytopathic effects were observed. De novo synthesis of viral capsid proteins was shown by immuno-fluorescence labelling and a sandwich ELISA test. Viral genomic replication was demonstrated by RT-PCR using primers specific to RNA-1 as well as by quantitative RT-PCR (RT-qPCR). Using electron microscopy, only a few empty particles were observed and attempts to isolate complete infectious particles or to re-infect healthy cells (second passage) were unsuccessful. As complete viral particles were rarely observed, it appeared that defaults in MrNV virogenesis might arise resulting in the formation of scarce and non-infectious particles. SSN-1 cells were found to be partially permissive to MrNV infection that induced cell lysis, but key elements for viral infection were lacking such as regulatory factors for gene replication or post-translational modifications.     

Nano-delivery of trace minerals for marine fish larvae: influence on skeletal ossification,and the expression of genes involved in intestinal transport of minerals,osteoblast differentiation,and oxidative stress response

Currently, the larviculture of many marine fish species with small-sized larvae depends for a short time after hatching, on the supply of high-quality live zooplankton to ensure high survival and growth rates. During the last few decades, the research community has made great efforts to develop artificial diets, which can completely substitute live prey. However, studies aimed at determining optimal levels of minerals in marine larvae compound feeds and the potential of novel delivery vectors for mineral acquisition has only very recently begun. Recently, the agro-food industry has developed several nano-delivery systems, which could be used for animal feed, too. Delivery through nano-encapsulation of minerals and feed additives would protect the bioactive molecules during feed manufacturing and fish feeding and allow an efficient acquisition of active substances into biological system. The idea is that dietary minerals in the form of nanoparticles may enter cells more easily than their larger counterparts enter and thus speed up their assimilation in fish. Accordingly, we evaluated the efficacy of early weaning diets fortified with organic, inorganic, or nanoparticle forms of trace minerals (Se, Zn, and Mn) in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) larvae. We tested four experimental diets: a trace mineral-deficient control diet, and three diets supplemented with different forms of trace minerals. At the end of the feeding trial, larvae growth performance and ossification, and the level of expression of six target genes (SLC11A2β, dmt1, BMP2, OC, SOD, GPX), were evaluated. Our data demonstrated that weaning diets supplemented with Mn, Se, and Zn in amino acid-chelated (organic) or nanoparticle form were more effective than diets supplemented with inorganic form of minerals to promote bone mineralization, and prevent skeletal anomalies in seabream larvae. Furthermore, nanometals markedly improved larval stress resistance in comparison to inorganic minerals and upregulated mRNA copy number of OC gene. The expression of this gene was strongly correlated with mineralization degree, thus confirming its potency as a good marker of bone mineralization in gilthead seabream larvae.     

Species differences in the adrenergic responses of fish red cells: studies on whitefish,pikeperch, trout and carp

The occurrence and pH dependence (pHe 7–8) of the adrenergic red cell responses of two salmonids, trout and whitefish, and a percinid, pikeperch were studied. These are all species that live in well-oxygenated waters. The responses were compared to those of carp, which tolerates oxygen-deficient waters.The adrenergic responses of trout and whitefish red cells were pronounced. In these species red cell swelling, the accumulation of sodium and chloride in the cell, and the increase in red cell oxygen content at atmospheric oxygen tension were maximal at pH 7.3. In contrast, pikeperch red cells responded to -adrenergic stimulation only at extracellular pH 7.1. In carp, the adrenergic response, occurring below extracellular pH 7.5, was small as compared to the two salmonids. In each case the onset of the adrenergic response coincided with the onset of the Root effect.The differences in the adrenergic responses between the two salmonids and pikeperch suggest that the occurrence of the adrenergic response is not directly related to the environmental oxygen requirements of the species, but may be linked to the activity pattern.     

杂色鲍DAD1的克隆及在发育、弧菌感染、高温和缺氧下的表达分析

抗细胞凋亡因子(DAD1)是细胞凋亡的负调控因子。在杂色鲍转录组测序的基础上,通过RACE的方法,获得了杂色鲍DAD1基因的全长c DNA,命名为HdDAD1。该序列全长553 bp,开放阅读框339 bp,编码112个氨基酸。编码蛋白具有保守的DAD功能域和3段跨膜区。实时定量PCR结果表明,HdDAD1在杂色鲍所检测组织中均有表达,消化道、鳃、血细胞、粘液腺和肾脏中表达量最高。同样,HdDAD1在发育各阶段均有表达,幼虫阶段表达量最高,原肠胚次之,其他胚胎发育阶段和稚鲍表达量最低。HdDAD1能够响应细菌感染、高温和缺氧应激。在弧菌注射12 h后,表达量显著上升。当水温由最适的25°C上升到28°C时,HdDAD1表达量升高;在31°C持续4和96 h时HdDAD1表达量显著上升。在低氧处理4和96 h时,HdDAD1的表达量也显著上升。     

Vertical distribution and migration of fish larvae in the NW Iberian upwelling system during the winter mixing period: implications for cross‐shelf distribution

The vertical distribution and vertical migrations of fish larvae and implications for their cross‐shelf distribution were investigated in the northern limit of the NE Atlantic upwelling region during the late winter mixing period of 2012. The average positive values of the upwelling index for February and March of this year were far from normal, although the average hydrographic conditions during the period of study were of downwelling and the water column was completely mixed. Fish larvae, most in the preflexion stage, were concentrated in the upper layers of the water column and their distribution was depth stratified, both day and night. However, the larval fish community was not structured in the vertical plane and fish larvae did not show significant diel vertical migration (DVM), although five species showed ontogenetic vertical migration. In regions of coastal upwelling and in the absence of DVM, the location of fish larvae in the water column is crucial for their cross‐shelf distribution. Thus, the cross‐shelf distribution of the six most abundant species collected in this study can be explained by the surface onshore flow associated with coastal downwelling, retaining larvae of the coastal spawning species with a relatively shallow distribution in the shelf region and transporting larvae of slope spawning species onto the shelf. The wide vertical distribution shown by larvae of the offshore spawning species could be an adaptation of these species to ensure that some larvae reach the inshore nursery areas.     

刀额新对虾原代淋巴细胞培养及其感染白斑综合征病毒（WSSV）的病理特征

为深入了解对虾白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)的致病机理和体外培养的对虾细胞对WSSV的敏感性,实验以1.5×L-15培养基培养刀额新对虾原代淋巴细胞,待细胞形成单层后接种WSSV,通过倒置显微镜、荧光显微镜、透射电子显微镜观察接种病毒后细胞的病理变化。结果显示,使用1.5×L-15培养基培养对虾淋巴组织,3 h后可观察到有细胞迁出,并能迅速形成单层,36 h后细胞的迁出汇合率可达80%,且能存活20 d以上。接种WSSV 24 h后,出现病变的细胞变圆、漂浮,细胞之间的网状结构消失,最后细胞破碎、溶解;接种WSSV 48 h后Hoechst 33342染色结果显示,感染的细胞核深染,且变形、膨大;电镜下,细胞核内含大量成簇分布的杆状病毒,细胞器被挤向细胞边缘,细胞膜轮廓模糊。研究表明,纯化的病毒粒子接种体外培养的淋巴细胞,能够使其产生明显病理变化,证明了WSSV对体外培养的淋巴细胞具有感染力,并且可在淋巴细胞中增殖。     

Molecular characterization and increased expression of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), T-cell receptor beta chain in response to Streptococcus agalactiae infection

The complete cDNA sequence of the Nile tilapia T-cell receptor (TCR) β chain was cloned using 5' RACE. The full-length, 1263-bp cDNA contained a 942-bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 314-amino-acid protein. Sequence analyses revealed that the Nile tilapia TCR β chain contains four conserved cysteine residues involved in the formation of disulphide bridges and a conserved amino acid motif believed to be important for assembly and signalling of the TCR αβ/CD3 complex, both of which are normally found in the TCR β chain of other vertebrates. As detected using semi-quantitative and quantitative RT-PCR, the highest expression level of TCR β was detected in the thymus. Interestingly, Streptococcus agalactiae significantly induced the up-regulation of the TCR β chain, and the strongest up-regulation was detected in the brain and peripheral blood leucocytes (PBLs). In in vitro experiments, concanavalin A and Aeromonas hydrophila were found to significantly increase the expression of the TCR β chain in PBLs after 48 h (P < 0.01) and 72 h (P < 0.05), respectively. Furthermore, real-time PCR analysis showed that intraperitoneal injection (IP) of 10(7) cfu mL(-1) of S. agalactiae could induce TCR β expression that was greater than the expression observed following administration of 10(9) cfu mL(-1). The presence of the TCR β chain in fish detected in this study suggests the presence of T-cell populations that have been found in higher vertebrates, which may play a crucial functional role in the response to fish pathogens.     

Molecular markers of cancer in cartilaginous fish: immunocytochemical study of PCNA, p-53, myc and ras expression in neoplastic and hyperplastic tissues from free ranging blue sharks, Prionace glauca (L.)

Archival formalin-fixed tissues from wild-caught adult blue sharks, Prionace glauca (L.), were used for immunocytochemical detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), two oncoproteins from the oncogenes c-myc and pan-ras, and a protein product from the tumour suppressor gene p-53. All sharks were caught during summer months between 2000 and 2006 by recreational fishermen off the USA coast in the northwestern Atlantic. The sharks were necropsied on landing and selected organ samples were collected into elasmobranch formalin and processed for paraffin embedding and light microscopy. Paraffin-embedded sections from collected tissue were both stained with haematoxylin and eosin and processed by immunocytochemical techniques using antibodies raised against the PCNA, p-ras, c-myc and p-53 proteins. The lesions examined in this study included two well differentiated adenomatous gastric polyps, a testicular capsular mesothelioma, a gingival fibropapilloma with elements of ameloblastoma, three liver tumours, two pericardial fibropapillomas and six cases of proliferative serositis (pericarditis and peritonitis). Normal and hyperplastic tissues from blue sharks, and human neoplastic tissues served as negative and positive controls, respectively. We detected upregulation of PCNA in many neoplastic, one dysplastic and in some hyperplastic lesions, and positive p-ras and c-myc signals in some of the neoplastic lesions. None of the examined tissues showed positive p-53 signalling. This is the first literature report on immunocytochemical detection of molecular markers of cancer in sharks and in fish of the class Chondrichthyes.     

Effects of spray‐dried blood cell meal with microencapsulated methionine substituting fish meal on the growth,nutrient digestibility and amino acid retention of Litopenaeus vannamei

The effect of substitution of fish meal (FM) by spray‐dried blood cell meal (SBCM) with microencapsulated dl ‐methionine supplementation in trial diets for Litopenaeus vannamei was evaluated. Six isonitrogenous (320 g kg^?1) and isolipidic (85 g kg^?1) diets were formulated to feed shrimp (2.3±0.2 g shrimp^?1) for 56 days. Shrimp were fed with six diets in which FM protein was gradually replaced by SBCM protein (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% in diets 0–5). Growth performances and feed utilization of shrimp fed diets containing 0%, 3.5%, 7.0% and 10.5% SBCM protein were not significantly different (P>0.05). Growth, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio of shrimp fed diets (80 and 100% FM substitution) were significantly poorer compared with other treatments (P<0.05). With increased levels of dietary SBCM, apparent digestibility coefficient of dry matter, crude protein enhanced from 76.9% to 82.3%, 84.8% to 89.0%, but crude lipid decreased from 90.6% to 88.3% respectively. The carcass composition values were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by the replacement level of FM, except lipid. There were no significantly differences (P>0.05) in amino acid retentions among Diets 0–3. The results suggest that the dietary FM protein could efficiently be substituted by SBCM up to 60%, without adverse effects on the growth of L. vannamei.     

Viral susceptibility,transfection and growth of SPB – a fish neural progenitor cell line from the brain of snubnose pompano,Trachinotus blochii (Lacépède)

This study investigates the susceptibilities of the SPB cell line to fish viruses including giant seaperch iridovirus (GSIV‐K1), red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV‐Ku), grouper nervous necrosis virus (GNNV‐K1), chum salmon reovirus (CSV) and eel herpesvirus (HVA). GSIV‐K1, RSIV‐Ku and CSV replicated well in SPB cells, with a significant cytopathic effect and virus production. However, the cells were HVA and GNNV refractory. To examine the ability of SPB cells to stably express foreign protein, expression vectors encoding GNNV B1 and B2 fused to enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and GSIV ORF35L fused to DsRed were constructed and introduced by transfection into SPB cells. Stable transfectants displayed different morphologies compared with SPB and with each other. EGFP‐B1 was predominantly localized in the nuclei, EFPF‐B2 was distributed throughout the cytoplasm and nucleus, and granular 35L‐DsRed was localized with secreted vesicles. The expression of EFPF‐B2 in SPB cells produced blebs on the surface, but the cells showing stable expression of EGFP, EGFP‐B1 or 35L‐DsRed showed normal morphologies. Results show the SPB cells and the transfected cells grow well at temperatures between 20 and 35 °C and with serum‐dependent growth. SPB cells are suitable for studies on foreign protein expression and virology.     

Development and characterization of a fibroblastic‐like cell line from caudal fin of the red‐line torpedo,Puntius denisonii (Day) (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

A fibroblastic‐like cell line was established from the ornamental fish, red‐line torpedo (Puntius denisonii). The red‐line torpedo fin (RTF) cell line is being maintained in Leibovitz's L‐15 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for over 1 year at 28 °C on a continuous basis in normal atmosphere. The growth rate of RTF cells increased as the FBS proportion increased from 5% to 20% at 28 °C with optimum growth at the concentrations of 10% FBS. The morphology of RTF cell was predominantly fibroblastic like. Propagation of these cell lines was serum dependent, with a low plating efficiency (<15%). Karyotyping analysis of RTF cells at the 25th passage indicated that the modal chromosome number was 2n=50. The cell line was cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen at ?196 °C and could be recovered from storage after 6 months with good cell viability. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of a fragment of two mitochondrial genes, 16S rRNA and CO1, confirmed the identity of these cell lines with those reported from this animal species, confirming that the cell lines originated from P. denisonii. The bacterial extracellular products from Vibrio cholerae MTCC3904 and Aeromonas hydrophila were found to be toxic to RTF. The cell lines were not susceptible to viral nervous necrosis virus, a marine fish virus.