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Nucleus-translocated matrix metalloprotease 1 regulates innate immune response in Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus
Yu-Lei Chen1, Wan-Yu Li1, Jian-Jian Hu1
1College of Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian Province, 361021, China.
Abstract:
As an important economical shellfish in coastal area of China, abalone is susceptible to bacterial infection, especially Vibiro parahemolyticus (V. parahemolyticus). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been extensively investigated in the immune response of mammals. However, little is known about the involvement of MMP in abalone innate immune system against pathogen infection. In this study, the role of MMP-1 in the immune response of Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) was explored. The results showed that V. parahemolyticus infection induced significantly elevated expression of MMP-1 as well as immune related genes including allograft inflammatory factor 1 (AIF-1), macrophage expressed gene 1 (MPEG-1) and TPA-inducible sequence 11 family protein (Tis11FP). Notably, silencing of MMP-1 reduced the expression of these genes, suggesting that MMP-1 was an upstream regulatory factor in V. parahemolyticus infection. Further analysis showed that MMP-1 was engaged in the regulation of cellular (phagocytosis, apoptosis) and humoral [superoxide dismutase (SOD), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP)] immunity. Interestingly, the extracellularly distributed MMP-1 could be translocated to the nuclei of hemocytes, thereby functioning as a transcriptional regulator or by selectively activating or inactivating other components through proteolysis. Hence, our study established an important role of MMP-1 in abalone innate immunity against V. parahemolyticus infection and it represented the first report on the investigation of MMP in abalone.
Insights
Pacific abalone immunity against Vibrio parahemolyticus infection involves matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1). MMP-1 regulates key immune genes and cellular functions, acting as an upstream factor in abalone
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Invertebrate immunology
- Shellfish aquaculture
Background:
- Abalone, an economically important shellfish, faces significant threats from bacterial infections like Vibrio parahemolyticus.
- Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are crucial in mammalian immunity, but their role in abalone innate immunity remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of MMP-1 in the Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) immune response to Vibrio parahemolyticus infection.
- To elucidate the regulatory role of MMP-1 in abalone innate immunity.
Main Methods:
- Gene expression analysis of MMP-1 and related immune genes (AIF-1, MPEG-1, Tis11FP) following V. parahemolyticus challenge.
- RNA interference (RNAi) to silence MMP-1 expression and assess its impact on immune gene expression.
- Evaluation of MMP-1's role in cellular immunity (phagocytosis, apoptosis) and humoral immunity (SOD, ALP, ACP activity).
Main Results:
- V. parahemolyticus infection significantly upregulated MMP-1 expression and other immune genes.
- Silencing MMP-1 reduced the expression of these immune genes, indicating MMP-1's upstream regulatory role.
- MMP-1 was involved in regulating cellular and humoral immune responses, with extracellular MMP-1 translocating to hemocyte nuclei.
Conclusions:
- MMP-1 plays a critical role in the innate immune defense of Pacific abalone against V. parahemolyticus.
- This study provides the first evidence of MMP involvement in abalone immunity, highlighting MMP-1 as a potential therapeutic target.
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