Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2422563 | Aquaculture | 2012 | 7 Pages |
Cytokines are important regulators of the immune system and investigation of their functions may prove useful for the development of vaccines and immunostimulants for aquaculture. We therefore investigated the cytokine [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-10, IL-12 p35 and p40, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, CXC‐chemokine and interferon (IFN)-α and γ] responses of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., upon treatment with a commercial baker's yeast extract (CW-I) that contained nucleotides and β-glucan. Additionally, to confirm that the CW-I-induced cytokines were functional, we also assessed the effect of CW-I administration on superoxide anion production and phagocytic activities of head kidney leucocytes and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila infection in the common carp. Our results demonstrate that baker's yeast extract-treated fish displayed a significant up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β, IL-12 p35 and p40, TNF-α, CXC-chemokine, IFN-γ2) gene expression and a down-regulation of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) gene expression. Furthermore, significantly increased phagocytic activity and superoxide anion production in kidney cells, and resistance to a bacterial pathogen, were observed in the yeast extract-treated fish compared to non-treated fish. The current study indicates the immunostimulatory effects of a baker's yeast extract rich in nucleotides and β-glucan on the carp immune system and supports its potential use in aquaculture.
► Baker's yeast extract contained nucleotides and β-glucan as major components. ► Yeast extract-treated fish had up-regulation of cytokine genes expression. ► Treated fish showed increased phagocytosis, NBT reduction and pathogen resistance. ► Baker's yeast extract had immunostimulatory effects on common carp immune system. ► It may be used as a potential immunostimulant in carp aquaculture.