Yellow head virus infection in black tiger shrimp reveals specific interaction with granule-containing hemocytes and crustinPm1 as a responsive protein
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Published on: September 14, 2021
Phattara-Orn Havanapan1, Suparat Taengchaiyaphum2, Albert J Ketterman1
1Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Salaya, Nakhonpathom 73170, Thailand.
Abstract:
Yellow head virus (YHV) causes acute infections and mass mortality in black tiger shrimp culture. Our study aims to investigate molecular interaction between YHV and circulating hemocytes of Penaeus monodon at early infection. Total shrimp hemocytes were isolated by Percoll gradient centrifugation and identified by flow cytometric analysis. At least three types of hemocyte cells were identified as hyaline, semi-granular, and granular hemocytes. Experimental infection of YHV in shrimp culture demonstrated drastic changes in total and each hemocyte cell counts. Immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated interaction and replication of YHV mainly with the granule-containing hemocytes and little to none in hyaline cell. These granule-containing hemocytes are proposed to be YHV targets providing the first line of defense to viral infection. Protein expression profiling of granule-containing hemocytes revealed several immune-responsive proteins including antimicrobial protein crustins (crustinPm1 and crustinPm4), alpha-2-macroglobulin, and kazal-type serine proteinase inhibitor. During an early phase of YHV infection at 6 hpi crustinPm1 illustrated a significant increase of mRNA and protein expression level in plasma. The results suggest that an antimicrobial crustinPm1 may participate in shrimp defense mechanism against YHV, especially on the granule-containing hemocytes.
Insights
Yellow head virus (YHV) infects black tiger shrimp, causing mortality. Granule-containing hemocytes are key targets, with crustinPm1 showing increased expression, suggesting a role in shrimp antiviral defense.
Area of Science:
- Aquatic animal health
- Viral disease mechanisms
- Shrimp immunology
Background:
- Yellow head virus (YHV) is a significant pathogen causing severe losses in black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) aquaculture.
- Understanding the early molecular interactions between YHV and shrimp immune cells is crucial for disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular interactions between YHV and Penaeus monodon hemocytes during early infection.
- To identify specific hemocyte types targeted by YHV and characterize the host immune response.
Main Methods:
- Hemocyte isolation using Percoll gradient centrifugation and identification via flow cytometry.
- Experimental YHV infection in shrimp, followed by immunohistochemistry to detect viral presence in hemocytes.
- Protein expression profiling of hemocytes to identify immune-responsive proteins.
Main Results:
- Three hemocyte types (hyaline, semi-granular, granular) were identified in Penaeus monodon.
- YHV primarily infected and replicated in granule-containing hemocytes, suggesting they are key targets.
- Increased expression of antimicrobial protein crustinPm1 was observed in plasma during early YHV infection.
Conclusions:
- Granule-containing hemocytes are proposed as the primary targets of YHV, acting as the first line of defense.
- Antimicrobial crustinPm1 shows potential as a key component in the shrimp's defense against YHV infection.
