Ontogeny of the Lymphoid Organs of Japanese Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus

Histological study on the ontogeny of the lymphoid organs, kidney, thymus and spleen of Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, from hatching to 40d was carried out. The pronephric kidney duct appeared early in hatching although the primordial haemopoietic stem cells wereobserved within a week after hatching. The spleen was first seen after 8d of hatching. The thymus appeared after 15d, situated near the pronephric kidney. Small lymphoid cells appeared during the later phase of the post-larval stage in the sequence of thymus, kidney and spleen. During the 40d of observations, there were no distinct inner or outer zones in thymus and no red or white pulp in spleen. These results suggest that the nonspecific defense immune system plays a very important role in the early larval stage of Japanese flounder.     

Ontogeny of the immune system in rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus

Histogenesis of the immune system and specific activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) were studied in rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus from fertilization to 50 days after hatching(DAH).The pronephric tubule primordium developed in the embryo,14 h 30 min post fertilization.The spleen anlage was observed between the swim bladder and the intestine at 5 DAH,and the thymus was formed as a paired structure under the pharyngeal epithelium above the gill arch at 10 DAH.The order of the immune organs becoming lymphoid was the pronephric kidney(10 DAH),thymus(15 DAH) and spleen(21 DAH).As the embryo developed,the specific activity of SOD gradually increased until hatching,but subsequently SOD activity continuously decreased to a minimum at 14 DAH.After the spleen became lymphoid,the specific activity of SOD was relatively stable.It is suggested that the immaturity of the lymphoid organs and low specific activity of SOD was the cause of the high mortality of fingerlings 12 to 16 DAH.     

红笛鲷脾脏、头肾和胸腺中IgM~+细胞与ANAE~+ T细胞的分布

采用ANAE组化方法(α-醋酸萘酯酶染色法)和ABC免疫组化方法(亲合素-生物素-过氧化物酶复合物法)分析了1龄红笛鲷成鱼的胸腺、头肾和脾脏中IgM+细胞(具有免疫球蛋白分子IgM的细胞)、ANAE+ T细胞的分布。结果表明,三个淋巴器官皆有IgM+细胞、ANAE+ T细胞;胸腺皮质区IgM+细胞数量最多,其次是头肾、胸腺髓质区、脾脏;ANAE+ T细胞以脾脏中数量居多,其次是头肾、胸腺髓质区、胸腺皮质区;ANAE+ T细胞在三个器官中多呈均匀分布,而IgM+细胞在血管、胸腺小体、黑色素巨嗜细胞中心等的外周呈密集分布。实验结果进一步证明了胸腺中的T细胞多为不成熟的T细胞,此外,还含有大量的IgM+细胞;而脾脏、头肾内的ANAE+ T细胞多于胸腺,推测胸腺成熟的T淋巴细胞迁移到头肾和脾脏。     

Analysis of IL-2-1ike factor in lymphocyte culture supernatant of olive flounder, Paralichthys oliveaceus

To study immune mechanism of fish lymphocyte we performed a proliferation assay and ELISA using monoclonal antibody against human IL-2. The result showed that an interleukin-2 (IL-2)-like factor was detected in the supernatant of plant haemoglutinin (PHA)-stimulated lymphocyte culture from peripheral blood, spleen and head kidney of olive flounder,Paralichthys olivaceus. The quantities of IL-2-like factor in the supernatant from different lymphoid tissues were quite different. The IL-2 like factor in the supernatant from cultured head kidney lymphocytes was much higher than those of peripheral blood lymphocytes and spleen lymphocytes (P<0.01). The IL-2 activity was found in either mouse thymocyte proliferation assay or flounder head kidney lymphocyte proliferation assay and shown to have obvious enhancing effect on proliferation of the above two types of cell. The recombinant human IL-2, (rhIL-2) was able to stimulate flounder thymocyte proliferation and used to detect the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) on the surface of flounder lymphocyte. The cross-reaction between the lymphocytes of flounder peripheral blood and CD25(IL-2R) was detected with flow cytometry and shown that the percentage of CD25-positive cell in peripheral blood was 7.74±0.67%. This work was supported by National “973” Project G1999012003, G19999012006.     

Detection of lymphocystis disease virus in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus and other marine teleosts from northern China

We isolated a strain of lymphocystis disease virus (LCDV) from Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) cultured in northern China. Based on published sequences of major capsid protein (MCP) gene of LCDV-cn (GenBank: AF126405), we designed two primer sets P1/P2 and P3/P4. We then used one-step or nested PCR and in-situ hybridization (ISH) to detect LCDV and identify the target tissues or cells in infected Japanese flounder. The PCR products were positive in purified viral supernatant, skin nodules, gut, gill, kidney, spleen, stomach, heart, and liver of Japanese flounder. We compared the DNA sequence with 14 MCP nucleotide sequences from GenBank, including Megalocytivirus (OFIV and RSIV), Iridovirus (CzIV and WIV), Ranavirus (TFV and FV3), and Lymphocystivirus (8 LCDV). Based on the alignment, we confirmed the PCR product was from Lymphocystivirus (GenBank accession number DQ279090 (LCDV-HD)). Using ISH, we noted the presence of LCDV in the skin nodules, gut, gill, spleen, stomach, and heart of spontaneously infected Japanese flounders. We successfully amplified LCDV fragments from Schlegel’s black rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli Higendorf), redwing sea robin (Lepidotrigla microptera Günther) and turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) using the one-step and nested PCR, suggesting the target genes can be widely detected in fish using this method.     

Distribution and expression in vitro and in vivo of DNA vaccine against lymphocystis disease virus in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

Lymphocystis disease, caused by the lymphocystis disease virus (LCDV), is a significant worldwide problem in fish industry causing substantial economic losses. In this study, we aimed to develop the DNA vaccine against LCDV, using DNA vaccination technology. We evaluated plasmid pEGFP-N2-LCDV1.3 kb as a DNA vaccine candidate. The plasmid DNA was transiently expressed after liposome transfection into the eukaryotic COS 7 cell line. The distribution and expression of the DNA vaccine (pEGFP-N2-LCDV1.3kb) were also analyzed in tissues of the vaccinated Japanese flounder by PCR, RT-PCR and fluorescent microscopy. Results from PCR analysis indicated that the vaccine-containing plasmids were distributed in injected muscle, the muscle opposite the injection site, the hind intestine, gill, spleen, head, kidney and liver, 6 and 25 days after vaccination. The vaccine plasmids disappeared 100 d post-vaccination. Fluorescent microscopy revealed green fluorescence in the injected muscle, the muscle opposite the injection site, the hind intestine, gill, spleen, head, kidney and liver of fish 48 h post-vaccination, green fluorescence did not appear in the control treated tissue. Green fluorescence became weak at 60 days post-vaccination. RT-PCR analysis indicated that the mcp gene was expressed in all tested tissues of vaccinated fish 6–50 days post-vaccination. These results demonstrate that the antigen encoded by the DNA vaccine is distributed and expressed in all of the tissues analyzed in the vaccinated fish. The antigen would therefore potentially initiate a specific immune response. the plasmid DNA was injected into Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) intramuscularly and antibodies against LCDV were evaluated. The results indicate that the plasmid encoded DNA vaccine could induce an immune response to LCDV and would therefore offer immune protection against LCD. Further studies are required for the development and application of this promising DNA vaccine.     

Histological study on the skin of Japanese flounder <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys olivaceus</Emphasis>

Histological development of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus larval skin and ultrastructural difference of skin between reared normal and malpigmented Japanese flounder were studied with light microscopy (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the skin develops slowly before the metamorphosis, while at the onset of metamorphosis, the skin develops quickly and becomes complete in structure till about 50d after being hatched. Ultrastructural observation on the normal and malpigmented skins shows that the iridophore and melanophore are adjacent to each other. Profile and structure of the two kinds of pigmcnt cells are more complete in the skin of normal ocular side than in the skin of pigmented blind side. The ultrastructure of typical chloride cell was observed in the skin of Japanese flounder larvae for the first time.     

DEVELOPMENT OF RETINAL STRUCTURE AND VISUAL ACUITY IN JAPANESE FLOUNDER (PARALICHTHYS OLIVACEUS)

The retinal structure and visual acuity in Japanese flounderParalichthys olivaceus at different stages of development were examined by light microscopy. The resolving power of the retina, the visual axis and the best visual field were estimated based on the distribution of cone cells in the retina. The visual system of the larvae appears poorly developed at hatching. The larvae with total length (TL) of less than 10 mm, have single cones only and the eyes were well pigmented. At 10–11 mm TL, most single cones fused to form double cones, with the single and double cones forming a mosaic pattern. From larvae to early juvenile the retina stretches, the cones increase in diameter and rods increase in number. Based on the highest density of the cones in the ventro-temporal region, the visual axis was orientated upforward. The resolving power of the retina in 40–530 mm TL Japanese flounder was found to range from 25.1 to 11.5 min. The results indicated continual improvements in the visual system of the growing fish towards higher resolving power, visual acuity and sensitivity. Project 39970578 supported by the NSFC, and also supported by the Ministry of Education Foundation for University Key Teachers.     

Molecular Cloning and Expression ofPoIR2, a Novel Gene Involved in Immune Response in Japanese Flounder （Paralichthys olivaceus）

A novel immune-related gene was expressed in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) injected with Vibrio anguillarum. The complete cDNA contained a 169 bp 5’UTR, a 336 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 111 amino acids and a 556bp 3’UTR. Six exons and five introns were identified in the PoIR2 gene. Blastp similarity comparison showed its encoding protein had 50% similarity to Danio rerio neuromedin S (NMS), but further alignment indicated they did not have NMS C-terminal conservational signature domain. So it was not defined as an NMS homologue. Protein structure analysis indicated it had a 26aa signal peptide and was a secretory pathway protein. RT-PCR demonstrated that the expression of PoIR2 was quickly induced and drastically increased in liver, kidney, spleen, gills, intestine, heart, and skeletal muscle after infected with V. anguillarum. These results indicated that the PoIR2 might play some important role in Japanese flounder immune response system. This gene was named PoIR2 (P.olivaceus immune-related gene 2, GenBank accession number: EU224372). The mature PoIR2 peptide was expressed in BL21(DE3) pLysS using pET-32a(+) vector and a great part of the recombinant mature peptide existed as soluble type.     

Histological Study on the Skin of Japanese Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

Histological development of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus larval skin and ultrastructural difference of skin between reared normal and malpigmented Japanese flounder were studied with light microscopy (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the skin develops slowly before the metamorphosis, while at the onset of metamorphosis, the skin develops quickly and becomes complete in structure till about 50d after being hatched. Ultrastructural observation on the normal and malpigmented skins shows that the iridophore and melanophore are adjacent to each other. Profile and structure of the two kinds of pigment cells are more complete in the skin of normal ocular side than in the skin of pigmented blind side. The ultrastructure of typical chloride cell was observed in the skin of Japanese flounder larvae for the first time.     

Genome-Wide Identification of heat shock protein 10/60 Genes in Japanese Flounder(Paralichthys olivaceus) and Their Regulated Expression After Bacterial Infection

Heat shock proteins 10/60(hsp10/60) are a family of conserved ubiquitously expressed heat shock proteins which are produced by cells in response to exposure to stressful conditions. Besides the chaperone and housekeeping functions, they are also known to be involved in immune response during bacterial infection. In this study, we identified and annotated 10 hsp10/60 genes through bioinformatic analysis in Japanese flounder(Paralichthys olivaceus). Among them one member of hsp10(hspe) family and nine members of hsp60(hspd) family were identified. Phylogenetic and selection pressure analysis showed that the hsp10/60 genes were evolutionarily constrained and their function was conserved. Besides, hsp10/60 genes were involved in different embryonic and larval stages and acted as the sentinel role in an unchallenged organism. In addition, we also observed the expression patterns of hsp10/60 genes after Edwardsiella tarda infection, for the first time in Japanese flounder. Eight out of 10 genes were differentially expressed after bacterial challenges, the significantly regulated expressions of flounder hsp10/60 genes after bacterial infections suggested their involvement in immune response in flounder. Our results provide valuable information for clarifying the evolutionary relationship, and early insights of the immune functions of hsp10/60 genes in Japanese flounder.     

脂多糖、苯酚、硫酸铜对红笛鲷非特异性细胞毒性细胞受体基因表达的影响

应用Real-time PCR技术,研究脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)、苯酚、硫酸铜刺激红笛鲷(Lutjanussanguineus)后非特异性细胞毒性细胞受体(NCCRP-1)基因在不同组织里的表达差异。结果发现,LPS刺激红笛鲷24 h后NCCRP-1在红笛鲷头肾、脾脏、胸腺、肝脏、心脏、脑、肌肉和肠组织中均有表达,其中头肾表达量最高,脾脏次之,然后依次是肝脏、脑、肌肉、胸腺和肠,心脏表达量最少。LPS、苯酚和CuSO4刺激红笛鲷后,随着刺激时间的增长,NCCRP-1表达量在各组织达到峰值的时间不同。以头肾为模式组织,RT-PCR的结果显示,红笛鲷NCCRP-1在LPS、苯酚和CuSO4的刺激下的表达模式相似,随着时间的增加NCCRP-1表达量逐渐增加,分别在24、9、12 h处达到最高,达到对照组的52、30、24倍左右,之后表达量开始下降。免疫组织化学表明,NCCRP-1只在头肾、脾脏和胸腺的特定细胞中表达。     

Proteomic aspects of infection by lymphocystis disease virus in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

To reveal the key factor in self-healing from LCDV (lymphocystis disease virus)-infec Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), serum proteins from self-healing and sick Japanese floun were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis to screen differentially expressed proteins. Prot spots demonstrating changes greater than two-fold in the expression level were digested and furt identified in capillary liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Two immuni relevant proteins were thus identified as transferrin and the complement component C3 of Japan flounder. These findings suggest that the two proteins may play important roles in the self-healing lymphocystis in Japanese flounder. This is an important theoretical foundation to promote self-healing LCDV-infected Japanese flounder by improving their innate immunity.     

Molecular identification,expression pattern,and in-vitro bioactivity analysis of insulin-like growth factor 2 in olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are key regulators of development and growth. Here, we characterized the igf2 gene from olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) and determined its temporal and spatial expression. We set up an in-vitro protein expression system in eukaryotic human embryonic kidney (HEK293T) cells and explored its effects on cell proliferation. The flounder igf2 cDNA contained a 648-bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a protein of 215 amino acids (aa), which spanned the complete signal peptide (47 aa), mature peptide (70 aa), and E domain (98 aa). In adult flounder, igf2 mRNA was detected in all selected tissues. In early development, igf2 mRNA was detected throughout development from unfertilized eggs to hatching-stage embryos. In-situ hybridization analysis indicated that igf2 mRNA was specially expressed in the brain region, floor plate, hypochord, otic vesicle, and pectoral fin during embryogenesis. Western blotting analysis indicated that the soluble recombinant flounder IGF2 protein was successfully produced through eukaryotic expression in HEK293T cells. In addition, the recombinant IGF2 protein significantly promoted the proliferation of human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) and HEK293T cells. These results provide new information about the structural and functional conservation, expression patterns, and biological activity of the igf2 in teleosts.

     

Tissue-specific bioaccumulation and oxidative stress responses in juvenile Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) exposed to mercury

To understand mercury (Hg) toxicity in marine fish, we measured Hg accumulation in juvenile Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) and assessed the effects on growth and antioxidant responses. After Hg exposure (control, 5, 40, and 160 μg/L Hg) for 28 d, fish growth was significantly reduced. The accumulation of Hg in fish was dose-dependent and tissue-specific, with the maximum accumulation in kidney and liver, followed by gills, bone, and muscle. Different antioxidants responded differently to Hg exposure to cope with the induction of lipid peroxidation (LPO), which was also tissue-specific and dosedependent. As Hg concentration increased, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities increased significantly, whereas glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity and glutathione (GSH) levels decreased significantly in the gills. SOD and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and the GSH level increased significantly in the liver. SOD activity and GSH levels increased significantly, but CAT activity decreased significantly with an increase in Hg concentration in the kidney. LPO was induced significantly by elevated Hg in the gills and kidney but was least affected in the liver. Therefore, oxidative stress biomarkers in gills were more sensitive than those in the liver and kidney to Hg exposure. Thus, the gills have potential as bioindicators for evaluating Hg toxicity in juvenile flounder.     

Quantitative comparison of the expression of myogenic regulatory factors in flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) embryos and adult tissues

MyoD, Myf5, and myogenin are myogenic regulatory factors that play important roles during myogenesis. It is thought that MyoD and Myf5 are required for myogenic determination, while myogenin is important for terminal differentiation and lineage maintenance. To better understand the function of myogenic regulatory factors in muscle development of flounder, an important economic fish in Asia, real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to characterize the expression patterns of MyoD, Myf5, and myogenin at early stages of embryo development, and in different tissues of the adult flounder. The results show that, Myf5 is the first gene to be expressed during the early stages of flounder development, followed by MyoD and myogenin. The expressions of Myf5, yoD, and myogenin at the early stages have a common characteristic: expression gradually increased to a peak level, and then gradually decreased to an extremely low level. In the adult flounder, the expression of the three genes in muscle is much higher than that in other tissues, indicating that they are important for muscle growth and maintenance of grown fish. During embryonic stages, the expression level of MyoD might serve an important role in the balance between muscle cell differentiation and proliferation. When the MyoD expression is over 30% of its highest level, the muscle cells enter the differentiation stage.     

Histological Study on the Digestive System Development of Takifugu rubripes Larvae and Juvenile

The digestive tract of Takifugu rubripes during early life stages was studied with light microscopy. At the beginning of hatching, the digestive tract is represented by a simple and undifferentiated straight tube and does not communicate with the exterior, as the mouth and anus are not open yet. At 2 d after hatching, a constriction between intestine and rectum that will become the intestino-rectal valve is visible. During the endogenous feeding phase, the yolk sac is resorbed and the digestive tract becomes functional and differentiated. The liver and pancreas also become apparent at this time. At onset of exogenous feeding （3 d after hatching）, yolk sac resesves are not completely depleted, suggesting a period of mixed nutrition. The digestive tract differentiates fully into b.uccopharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestine and rectum. At 9 d after hatching, the yolk sac reserves are completely depleted. The most noticeable events occurring from 5 to 17 d after hatching are the transformation of the epithelia type, the differentiation of the pneumatic sac, the epithelial cell, gut convolution, mucosal fold increase, and the growth of liver and pancreas. From 18 to 27 d after hatching, the numbers of intestine folds and mucus cells increase progressively. From then on, morphological changes of digestive features are almost completed. At 27 d after hatching, the morphology and function of digestive system are similar to that of the adult.     

Localization and dynamic expression of a 27.8 kDa receptor protein for lymphocystis disease virus infection in sea bass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lateolabrax japonicus</Emphasis>) tissues

Lymphocystis disease virus (LCDV) infects target cells by attaching to a 27.8 kDa receptor (27.8R) protein in flounder Paralichthys olivaceus, and anti-27.8R monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have been developed. However, the 27.8R existence in tissues of sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus) and its role in LCDV infection have remained unclear. In this study, the results of western blotting demonstrated that the same 27.8R was shared by flounder and sea bass. LCDV-free sea bass individuals were intramuscularly injected with LCDV, and viral copies were detected in tissues from 3 h post infection and showed a time-dependent increase during 9 days infection. Distribution and synthesis of 27.8R in sea bass tissues were investigated by using anti-27.8R MAbs as probes. It was found that 27.8R was distributed in all the tested tissues. The levels of 27.8R protein were highest in gill and skin, then a bit lowly in stomach, head kidney and heart, followed by spleen, intestine, blood cells, gonad and liver, and least in kidney and brain in healthy sea bass. Upon LCDV infection, 27.8R synthesis was up-regulated in each tissue, and higher in the tissues with higher LCDV copies. The 27.8R and LCDV were detected in some peripheral blood leukocytes but not in red blood cells. These results suggested that 27.8R was widely distributed in sea bass tissues, and it served as a receptor and correlated with tissue tropism of LCDV infection. Furthermore, leukocytes had the potential of being a LCDV carrier and were responsible for a systemic infection of LCDV in sea bass.     

An integrative study of larval organogenesis of American shad <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alosa sapidissima</Emphasis> in histological aspects

We describe organogenesis at a histological level in American shad (Alosa sapidissima) larvae from 0 until 45 days after hatching (DAH). Larval development was divided into four stages based on the feeding mode, external morphological features, and structural changes in the organs: stage 1 (0–2 DAH), stage 2 (3–5 DAH), stage 3 (6–26 DAH) and stage 4 (27–45 DAH). At early stage 2 (3 DAH), American shad larvae developed the initial digestive and absorptive tissues, including the mouth and anal opening, buccopharyngeal cavity, oesophagus, incipient stomach, anterior and posterior intestine, differentiated hepatocytes, and exocrine pancreas. The digestive and absorptive capacity developed further in stages 2 to 3, at which time the pharyngeal teeth, taste buds, gut mucosa folds, differentiated stomach, and gastric glands could be observed. Four defined compartments were discernible in the heart at 4 DAH. From 3 to 13 DAH, the excretory systems started to develop, accompanied by urinary bladder opening, the appearance and development of primordial pronephros, and the proliferation and convolution of renal tubules. Primordial gills were detected at 2 DAH, the pseudobranch was visible at 6 DAH, and the filaments and lamellae proliferated rapidly during stage 3. The primordial swim bladder was first observed at 2 DAH and started to inflate at 9 DAH; from then on, it expanded constantly. The spleen was first observed at 8 DAH and the thymus was evident at 12 DAH. From stage 4 onwards, most organs essentially manifested an increase in size, number, and complexity of tissue structure.     

溶藻弧菌胞外产物注射赤点石斑鱼后的组织病理学观察

在注射溶藻弧菌胞外产物(ECP)48 h后,石斑鱼Epinephelus akaara出现死亡,临床症状表现为:运动迟缓,体色变深,腹部膨大,腹腔有明显的积水,肝脏出血有花斑,肾脏和脾脏肿大。病理组织切片观察发现:肝细胞坏死,解体,界限模糊,细胞核变形、裂解甚至消失;肝脏出血,肝索中有红细胞浸润,有的红细胞变形甚至破裂;肾小管上皮细胞脱落、坏死;肠粘膜上皮细胞脱落、坏死,微绒毛不整齐,模糊不清,脱落;脾窦和脾索不清晰,分界不清,且在脾窦和脾索中分布着大量的、形态不规则的红细胞。此外,还发现在肝脏、脾脏、肾脏、肠壁肌层、心肌和鳃等组织中存在一种相同结构,该结构有平滑肌环绕,管腔内壁衬以扁平上皮细胞,管腔中含有一团染成紫红色的物质,经推断为小动脉透明样变性,而在正常的组织切片中,均无此结构。