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Induction of Mx protein by interferon and double-stranded RNA in salmonid cells

R Nygaard1, S Husgard, A I Sommer

  • 1The Norwegian College of Fishery Science, University of Tromsø.

Fish & Shellfish Immunology
|September 20, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Atlantic salmon macrophages and cells show Mx protein induction by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and type I interferon (IFN)-like activity. This suggests Mx protein can serve as a molecular marker for type I IFN production in fish.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Mx proteins are key antiviral factors induced by type I interferons (IFN) in mammals.
  • Understanding Mx protein induction in fish is crucial for antiviral defense mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the induction of Mx protein in Atlantic salmon macrophages and fish cell lines (AS cells, CHSE-214) by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and type I IFN-like activity.
  • To explore the potential of Mx protein as a molecular marker for type I IFN production in fish.

Main Methods:

  • Stimulation of Atlantic salmon macrophages with polyinosinic polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) to generate type I IFN-like activity.
  • Exposure of Atlantic salmon macrophages, AS cells, and CHSE-214 cells to dsRNA or type I IFN-like activity.
  • Monitoring Mx protein expression levels and correlating them with antiviral protection against infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV).

Main Results:

  • A 76 kDa Mx protein was successfully induced by dsRNA and type I IFN-like activity in all tested fish cells.
  • Mx protein expression correlated with protection against IPNV in CHSE-214 cells.
  • Evidence suggests Mx protein induction in fish cells primarily occurs via type I IFN, with distinct induction kinetics compared to direct dsRNA stimulation.

Conclusions:

  • The study supports the use of Mx protein as a reliable molecular marker for detecting putative type I IFN production in fish.
  • Mx protein induction pathways in fish share similarities with mammals, highlighting conserved antiviral responses.

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