Differential gene expression of γ-actin, Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2) and interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK-4) in Mya arenaria haemocytes induced by in vivo infections with two Vibrio splendidus strains

Immune function gene expression in Mya arenaria haemocytes was evaluated following in vivo infection with Vibrio splendidus LGP32-GFP and 7SHRW. Elongation factor 1α (EF-1α) with 2 (EF-2), after challenge with LGP32-GFP, and EF-1α with the ribosomal protein S-18, after challenge with 7SHRW, were found to be the most stable housekeeping genes. Using these internal controls and comparing the regulation induced by both strains, up-regulation of γ-actin, down-regulation of TLR-2 and up-regulation of IRAK-4 was significantly higher after challenge with LGP32-GFP (p < 0.001, p = 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). These results suggest specific responses at a molecular level modulated by the bacterial strains. LGP32-GFP induced marked responses which coincide with a similar trend previously found on phenotypic responses under our experimental model.