| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2431667 | Fish & Shellfish Immunology | 2012 | 11 Pages |
Immunostimulatory effects of the oral administration of the recombinant epinecidin-1 protein from BL21 Escherichia coli (containing the pET28a-epinecidin-1-dsRed plasmid) were studied in grouper (Epinephelus coioides) and zebrafish (Danio rerio). For this purpose, fish were fed diets for 30 days containing the recombinant epinecidin-1 protein from BL21 E. coli (containing the pET28a-epinecidin-1-dsRed plasmid) at different bacterial numbers (104, 106, 108, and 1010 colony-forming units (cfu) of BL21 E. coli in 50 ml of LB medium) mixed with 50 g of eel powder as fodder. After 30 days of feeding, immune-related gene expressions for bacterial-infection responses and disease resistance against Vibrio vulnificus (204) were determined. The V. vulnificus (204) injected into the fish abdominal cavity mimicked gram-negative bacterial infections in culture ponds. Experimental results assessed whether the recombinant epinecidin-1 protein from BL21 E. coli (containing the pET28a-epinecidin-1-dsRed plasmid) has up- (or down-) regulation immune-related genes expression. Results indicated that the recombinant epinecidin-1 protein from BL21 E. coli administered as a feed supplement significantly enhanced expressions several immune-related genes such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-1 in grouper and Toll-like receptor (TLR)4, interleukin (IL)-1β, nitric oxide synthase (NOS)2, and nuclear factor (NF)-κB in zebrafish. After being challenged with V. vulnificus (204) for 24, 48, 72, or 96 h, the percentage mortality was significantly reduced in treated fish, which indicated that the recombinant epinecidin-1 protein from BL21 E. coli administered as a feed supplement could bring about downregulation of TNF-1 expression and functioned like an antagonist for binding TLR4, which reduced the signal transduction pathway for inhibiting TNF and IL-1β expressions while reducing binding of the transcription factor, NF-κB, to TNF and the IL-1β promoter region. The experimental results indicated that dietary intake of the recombinant epinecidin-1 protein from BL21 E. coli modulated immune-related gene expressions and disease resistance of grouper and zebrafish after a V. vulnificus (204) infection.
► Examine recombinant epinecidin-1 inhibited bacterial growth in in vitro test. ► Recombinant epinecidin-1 feed in zebrafish and grouper showed high survival rates. ► Recombinant epinecidin-1 modulated the expressions of immune-responsive genes in fish.
