SMARTFISH

Study of specific cell mediated immunity and vaccine optimization against bacterial and viral infections in trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Rainbow trout are one of the most valuable fish species farmed in the European Union, thus knowledge of its immune system is of practical importance. This project is focused on the study of interleukin 2 (IL2), a central cytokine in the regulation of T-cell responses, which stimulates proliferation of these cells and increases cytotoxicity of CD8 T cells, natural killer, B cells, monocyte/macrophages and neutrophils. IL2 is an important adjuvant for inactivated or subunit viral vaccines in humans and may have a potential role in protection against bacterial and viral diseases. Initially expression studies of IL2 in head-kidney and spleen will be examined by PCR, after administration of different immunostimulants, since this molecule is not constitutively expressed. Next, the activity of the recombinant protein (rIL2) will be established. An antibody to IL2 will also be generated for subsequent use in ELISPOT assays. Thus the specific cell-mediated immune response in trout will be quantified by enumerating the number of cells secreting IL2 in response to antigen, establishing a relationship between the size of the IL2 response and protection post-vaccination using a model bacterial, Aeromonas salmonicida, and viral, haermorrhagic septicaemia virus, VHSV, pathogen. Further experiments will be carried out using the rIL2 to increase the effectiveness of fish vaccines by inclusion in the vaccine. Following vaccination, the A. salmonicida and VHSV antibody titres will be determined for the serum and correlations sought between the size of the antibody response, the IL2 secreting cell response and resistance. Finally, IL2 secreting cells will be induced and identified using the monoclonal antibodies to detect intracellular IL2 and sorted by FACS. The sorted cells will be characterized in terms of their transcriptome, by microarray analysis. The arrays will also be used with RNA from cells stimulated with rIL2 to get an overview of genes affected in target cells.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

The European-funded Smartfish project has studied the immune system of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in order to reduce the number of fish lost through disease.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Demand for fish continues to grow as they are a cheap source of protein for many people across the globe. However, the world's fisheries are becoming severely depleted and increasingly aquaculture is required to fill the gap.

One of the greatest challenges in fish farming is to control and prevent infectious diseases that can cause serious economic losses. This can be achieved by improving our understanding of the fish immune system.

Rainbow trout are one of the most valuable fish species farmed in Europe. The EU-funded Smartfish project has investigated the rainbow trout's immune system, focusing on interleukin 2 (IL-2).

This signalling molecule is instrumental in the organism's response to microbial infection. Researchers studied the potential signalling pathways involved and the use of IL-2 as an adjuvant, which can enhance the action of fish vaccines.

After characterising IL-2, Smartfish researchers concentrated on IL-21, which influences T helper 17 cells (Th17) that play an important role in antimicrobial immunity. Project partners successfully determined the structure of IL-21 and analysed its function in rainbow trout.

The work conducted by the Smartfish consortium will help improve the quantity and quality of rainbow trout raised in fish farms, enabling European aquaculture to compete with the rest of the world.