Recent insights into anti-WSSV immunity in crayfish

Area of Science:

• * Aquaculture pathology and crustacean immunology.
• * Viral pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms.

Background:

• * White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a major viral pathogen causing significant economic losses in global crustacean aquaculture.
• * Research on WSSV pathogenesis is hampered by a lack of suitable crustacean cell lines and incomplete host genome annotations.
• * Previous studies have identified anti-WSSV responses in shrimp and elucidated some infection events in crayfish.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To summarize recent findings on WSSV infection mechanisms in crayfish.
• * To discuss antiviral immunity against WSSV in crayfish.
• * To provide a better understanding of WSSV pathogenesis and inform antiviral drug development for crustacean farming.

Main Methods:

• * Literature review of recent research on WSSV infection and host responses in crayfish.
• * Analysis of molecular and cellular events during WSSV infection.
• * Discussion of innate immune pathways and host-viral gene interactions.

Main Results:

• * Novel cellular events in WSSV infection revealed in crayfish, including viral endocytosis, intracellular transport, and host gene regulation.
• * Insights into innate immune pathways activated in response to WSSV infection in crayfish.
• * Identification of knowledge gaps, such as nuclear entry of the WSSV genome and virion assembly.

Conclusions:

• * Recent advances have improved understanding of WSSV infection mechanisms and antiviral immunity in crayfish.
• * Further research is needed to address fundamental gaps in WSSV pathogenesis, particularly concerning nuclear events and virion assembly.
• * This review provides a foundation for developing targeted antiviral strategies for WSSV in aquaculture.