Description of an Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) type II interleukin-1 receptor cDNA and analysis of interleukin-1 receptor expression in amoebic gill disease-affected fish

Previously, we showed that IL-1β transcription is induced in the gills of amoebic gill disease (AGD)-affected fish in an AGD lesion-restricted fashion. However, in this environment, there is very little evidence of inflammation on histopathological or transcriptional levels and we hypothesised that aberrant signalling may occur. As a first step in investigating this issue, we cloned and sequenced the Atlantic salmon IL-1 receptor type II (IL-1RII) mRNA, and then examined the expression of both the IL-1RI (IL-1 receptor-like protein) and II during Neoparamoeba perurans infection. In gill lesions from AGD-affected fish, a step-wise temporal increase in the relative expression of IL-1β coincided with a significant reduction in IL-1RI, whereas the IL-1RII mRNA remained unchanged. Down-regulation of IL-1RI could explain the paucity of inflammation in affected tissue, although simultaneous up-regulation of IL-1β-inducible transcripts indicated that this is not due to a complete blockage of the IL-1RI pathway. Rather, it appears that IL-1RI transcription is reduced and this rate limits the effects of chronic IL-1β over-expression.

► An Atlantic salmon interleukin-1 receptor type II cDNA is described.
► In AGD-affected gills, IL-1β, IL-1RI and IL-1RII mRNA expression was assessed.
► Polarised IL-1β & IL-1RI expression occurs in AGD-affected tissue.
► Down-regulation of IL-1RI may be compensatory for chronic IL-1β over-expression.