Expression profile of key immune-related genes in Penaeus monodon juveniles after oral administration of recombinant envelope protein VP28 of white spot syndrome virus

•WSSV recombinant envelope protein VP28 was produced and its immune modulatory effects were assessed at molecular level.•Purified rVP28P was formulated as oral vaccine and administered to shrimp juveniles.•Up-regulation of immune-related genes after the administration of rVP28P points to its immune modulatory effects.•Lesser expression of WSSV gene vp28 and delayed mortality of animals reveals the efficacy of rVP28P as a vaccine.

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is the most catastrophic pathogen the shrimp industry has ever encountered. VP28, the abundant envelope protein of WSSV was expressed in bacteria, the purified protein administered orally to Penaeus monodon juveniles and its immune modulatory effects examined. The results indicated significant up-regulation of caspase, penaeidin, crustin, astakine, syntenin, PmRACK, Rab7, STAT and C-type lectin in animals orally administered with this antigen. This revealed the immune modulations in shrimps followed by oral administration of rVP28P which resulted in the reduced transcription of viral gene vp28 and delay in mortality after WSSV challenge. The study suggests the potential of rVP28P to elicit a non-specific immune stimulation in shrimps.

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