The skin immune response of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), associated with puffy skin disease (PSD). Issue 78 (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Christie, Lyndsay; van Aerle, Ronny; Paley, Richard K.; Verner-Jeffreys, David W.; Tidbury, Hannah; Green, Matthew; Feist, Stephen W.; Cano, Irene
• Is Part Of: Fish & shellfish immunology. Issue 78(2018)
• Page Start: 355
• Page End: 363
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: Puffy skin disease -- Rainbow trout -- Quantitative PCR -- Eosinophil -- Skin immune response -- Th17 -- In situ hybridisation -- ELISA; Fishes -- Immunology -- Periodicals; Shellfish -- Immunology -- Periodicals; Poissons -- Immunologie -- Périodiques; Crustacés -- Immunologie -- Périodiques; 571.9617
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2018.04.053
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1050-4648

Abstract

Abstract: Puffy skin disease (PSD) is an emerging skin condition which affects rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum). The transmission pattern of PSD suggests an infectious aetiology, however, the actual causative infectious agent(s) remain(s) unknown. In the present study, the rainbow trout epidermal immune response to PSD was characterised. Skin samples from infected fish were analysed and classified as mild, moderate or severe PSD by gross pathology and histological assessment. The level of expression of 26 immune-associated genes including cytokines, immunoglobulins and cell markers were examined by TaqMan qPCR assays. A significant up-regulation of the gene expression of C3, lysozyme, IL-1β and T-bet and down-regulation of TGFβ and TLR3 was observed in PSD fish compared to control fish. MHCI gene expression was up-regulated only in severe PSD lesions. Histological examinations of the epidermis showed a significant increase in the number of eosinophil cells and dendritic melanocytes in PSD fish. In severe lesions, mild diffuse lymphocyte infiltration was observed. IgT and CD8 positive cells were detected locally in the skin of PSD fish by in situ hybridisation (ISH), however, the gene expression of those genes was not different from control fish. Total IgM in serum of diseased animals was not different from control fish, measured by a sandwich ELISA, nor was significant up regulation of IgM gene expression in PSD lesions observed. Taken together, these results show activation of the complement pathway, up-regulation of a Th17 type response and eosinophilia during PSD. This is typical of a response to extracellular pathogens (i.e. bacteria and parasites) and allergens, commonly associated with acute dermatitis. Highlights: The immune response to puffy skin disease (PSD) in rainbow trout was characterised. PSD induced an up-regulation of the complement pathway and Th17 cytokines. Genes for the immunoglobulins, IgT and IgM, were not up-regulated in PSD fish. Levels of IgM in serum of PSD fish were not different from those in control fish. The immune response to PSD was indicative of an extracellular pathogen.