Potential role of LvDscam in specific immune response of Litopenaeus vannamei against white spot syndrome virus by oral delivery of VP28 using Bacillus subtilis

Envelope protein VP28 has been suggested as a candidate vaccine component to evoke a better protection against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). We have reported that Bacillus subtilis spores harbouring VP28 (rVP28‐bs) can specifically protect shrimp against WSSV. However, the mechanism that supports the production of unique molecules induced by rVP28‐bs to trigger specific immunity is originally unknown. It has recently been suggested that Dscam (Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule) plays an essential role in the alternative adaptive immunity of invertebrates. In this study, we compared the diversity of Litopenaeus vannamei Dscam (LvDscam) variable regions by different antigens immunization. A total of 13, 15 and 11 expressed alternative sequences were identified for N‐terminal Ig2, N‐terminal Ig3 and the entire Ig7 domain, respectively. More than half of the unique variants (16 out of 22) were found in the Ig2/Ig3 domains. Further analysis of the interaction between VP28 and unique Ig2/Ig3 variants was confirmed by both yeast two‐hybrid and GST pull‐down approach. We also found that the percentage of haemocytes phagocytosing WSSV was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the shrimp injected with control‐siRNA (43.8 ± 2.2) than those with Dscam‐siRNA (11.3 ± 5.4) in the rVP28‐bs groups. With Dscam‐siRNA injection, survivorship significantly decreased (P < 0.001) in the rVP28‐bs group after WSSV challenge. Our data suggested that LvDscam‐mediated pathway may be involved in the specific immune response of shrimp against WSSV induced by rVP28‐bs.