Integrin α5 is involved in immune defense by regulating hemocyte phagocytosis in shrimp

The role of integrins in cell adhesion and immune functions is well established, however, their specific involvement in shrimp immunity remains poorly understood. In this study, we identified the integrin α5 (PvIntα5) gene from Penaeus vannamei and investigated its role in immune responses. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that PvIntα5 shares high sequence similarity with integrin proteins from other species. PvIntα5 was predominantly expressed in immune-related tissues, with the highest expression detected in hemocytes. Immunofluorescence imaging confirmed its localization on the plasma membrane of hemocytes. Knock down of PvIntα5 expression led to reduced hemocyte phagocytic activity following infection with Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Aspergillus niger, as well as significantly decreased shrimp survival rates. These findings suggest that PvIntα5 plays a crucial role in pathogen recognition and phagocytosis, offering valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of shrimp immunity.