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Expression of immune system-related genes during ontogeny in experimentally wounded common carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Jacob G Schmidt1, Michael E Nielsen
1Technical University of Denmark, National Food Institute, Biological Quality Research Group, Division of Toxicology and Risk Assessment, Mørkhøj Bygade 19, Building FG, 2860 Søborg, Denmark.
Abstract:
We investigated the effect of full-thickness incisional wounding on expression of genes related to the immune system in larvae and juveniles of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). The wounds were inflicted by needle puncture immediately below the anterior part of the dorsal fin on days 7, 14, 28 and 49 after fertilization. We followed the local gene expression 1, 3 and 7 days after wounding by removing head and viscera before extracting RNA from the remaining part of the fish, including the wound area. In addition, we visually followed wound healing. Overall the wounds had regenerated to a point where they were microscopically indistinguishable from normal tissue by day 3 post-wounding in all but the juvenile carp wounded on day 49 post-fertilization. In these juveniles the wounded area was still visible even 7 days post-wounding. On the transcriptional level a very limited response was observed in the investigated genes as a result of the wounding. HSP70 was downregulated 1 and 3 days post-wounding in the smallest larvae. However, HSP70 was differentially expressed at different time-points in a similar manner in wounded and mock-wounded groups, thus suggesting a stress effect of the handling, which may have overshadowed some transcriptional effects of the wounding. MMP-9, TGF-β1 and IgZ1 were slightly but significantly upregulated at few time-points, while no effect of wounding was detected on the expression of IgM, C3, IL-1β and IL-6 family member M17.
Insights
Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) wound healing showed limited immune gene expression changes. Handling stress may have influenced results, masking some wound-specific transcriptional responses in larvae and juveniles.
Area of Science:
- Ichthyology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Understanding immune responses in fish is crucial for aquaculture.
- Incisional wounding models provide insights into fish immune gene expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of wounding on immune gene expression in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) larvae and juveniles.
- To correlate gene expression changes with wound healing progression.
Main Methods:
- Full-thickness incisional wounds were inflicted on carp at various developmental stages.
- Local gene expression analysis (RNA extraction) was performed at 1, 3, and 7 days post-wounding.
- Wound healing was visually and microscopically assessed.
Main Results:
- Wounds healed microscopically by day 3 post-wounding in most groups, except for juveniles wounded at day 49.
- A limited transcriptional response was observed; Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) was downregulated in larvae.
- Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), Transforming Growth Factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), and Immunoglobulin Z1 (IgZ1) showed slight upregulation; IgM, C3, IL-1β, and IL-6 family member M17 expression was unaffected.
Conclusions:
- Wounding elicited a minimal immune gene expression response in common carp.
- Handling stress potentially confounded the results, impacting HSP70 expression.
- Further research is needed to elucidate specific immune pathways involved in fish wound healing.
