Identification and expression analysis of two pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-8, in cobia (Rachycentron canadum L.) in response to Streptococcus dysgalactiae infection

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8/CXCL8) play pivotal roles in mediating inflammatory responses to invading pathogens. In this study, we identified and analyzed expressions of cobia TNF-α and IL-8 during Streptococcus dysgalactiae infection. The cloned cDNA transcript of cobia TNF-α comprised of 1281 base pairs (bp), with a 774 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 257 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of cobia TNF-α showed a close relationship (84% similarity) with TNF-α of yellowtail amberjack. The cloned IL-8 cDNA sequence was 828 bp long, including a 300-bp ORF encoding 99 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of cobia IL-8 shared 90% identity with IL-8 of striped trumpeter. Cobia challenged with a virulent S. dysgalactiae strain displayed an early significant up-regulation of TNF-α and IL-8 in head kidney, liver, and spleen. Notably, IL-8 expression level increased dramatically in the liver at the severe stage of infection (72 h). In conclusion, a better understanding of TNF-α and IL-8 allows more detailed investigation of immune responses in cobia and furthers study on controlling the infectious disease caused by S. dysgalactiae.