Innate immunity of finfish: Primordial conservation and function of viral RNA sensors in teleosts

During the past decade, huge progress has been made in research into teleost PAMPs (pathogen-associated molecule patterns) recognition receptors (PRRs). Numerous fish PRR genes have been identified, and the primordial functions of PRRs involved in the innate immune response to viral infection (especially those responsible for sensing viral RNA) have been increasingly clarified in teleosts. Particular progress has been made in our understanding of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and retinoic acid inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs). However, there are important evolutionary differences between teleosts and mammals; for instance, seven TLR repertoires (TLR5S, -14, -19, -20, -21, -22 and -23) are present in teleosts but not in mammals, indicating that some TLRs likely possess different functions. Thus, comparison of PRRs in teleosts and mammals may help us understand the immune responses triggered by host–pathogen interactions in teleosts. In this article, the evolutionary conservations and divergences in the PRR mechanisms of teleosts and mammals are examined, with a focus on their molecular features and the recognition of viral RNA by fish TLRs and RLRs. In addition, the mechanism of type I interferon gene expression in teleosts, which is enhanced after the recognition of viral RNA by fish TLRs and RLRs, is also introduced.

► The evolutionary differences between fish and mammalian PRRs are introduced.
► Characterization and function of viral RNA sensors in teleosts are introduced.
► Mechanism of type I IFN production through viral RNA sensing in fish is described.