The immune response in fish: a review

Abstract

The literature relating to the immune response of fish has been reviewed. Non-specific immune mechanisms similar to those of other vertebrate classes occur in fish. Similarly specific cell-mediated immunity has been demonstrated at all levels of evolution, from the cyclostomes to the teleosts. A humoral antibody system also occurs in all classes of fish but varies considerably in relation to phylogenetic status. In the cyclostomes, only immmoproteins with propcrties intermediate between the immunoglobulins of vertebrates and the non-specific agglutinins and lysins of invertebrates have been demonstrated. In the elasmobranchs and chondrosteans 7 and 19s immunoglobulins of IgM type occur. In holosteans the 19s form is predominant whereas in teleosts, 7 and 19s forms occur, with some evidence of specialization in the 7s form. In the phylogenetically most advanced fish, the Dipnoi, two immunoglobulin classes, structurally analogous to IgM and IgG, have been described.A characteristic feature of both cell-rnediatcd and antibody mediated immune responses i n fish is their dependence upon environmental temperature. There is also evidence that, in somc species at least, nutritional factors and behaviour patterns may also influence the immune response.Attempts at artificial immunization of fish against infectious disease have met with varied success. It is probable that better results could be achieved with live vaccine strains, particularly if applied under conditions optimal for the immune responses.

In vivo Priming of TNP-reactive Effector Cells in Carp.

“…For the most part, immune mechanisms in fish are fundamentally similar to those in higher vertebrates (Corbel, 1975;Manning, 1994). Cell-mediated cyto toxic activity, in particular nonspecific cell-mediated cytotoxic activity has been described in fish (Evans and Jaso-Friedmann, 1992;Yoshinaga et al, 1994;Kurata et al, 1995).…”

Reponse immunitaire humorale induite par le virus de la necrose pancreatique infectieuse (VNPI) chez la truite mouchetee (Salvelinus fontinalis L ) et caracterisation de l immunoglobuline produite

“…Les poissons cartilagineux et osseux sont connus pour produire une classe d'immunoglobuline qui, au niveau structurel, s'apparente à l'IgM des mammifères, que l'on considère comme la plus primitive des cinq classes produites chez ce phylum (Kobayashi eiaL 1981(Kobayashi eiaL et 1984 (Dorson, 1972a(Dorson, et 1974Corbel, 1975;Lobb et Clem, 1981et 1981bKobayashi e_iaJL 1981). De plus, on remarque que certaines espèces de poissons semblent posséder des immunoglobulines de faible poids moléculaire ressemblant à des monomères ou à des dimères (Lobb et Clem, 1981a, b et c;Rosenshein e_iaJL 1986 (Lobb et Clem, 1981a;Tatner et Manning, 1983a).…”

“…On rapporte que, outre la température, la photopériode variant avec les saisons pourrait influer sur la modulation de l'expression immunitaire des poissons (Nakanishi, 1986 (Corbel, 1975 (Corbel, 1975 (Corbel, 1975). (Ingram, 1980 (Ellis,1982).…”

Biofloc technology: an emerging avenue in aquatic animal healthcare and nutrition

“…The immune system of fish acts as a crossroad between innate and adaptive immune responses and is hardened to the environment and the poikilothermic nature of the fish (Tort et al 2003). The immune responses initiated by injury or by pathogenic invasion will entail phagocytosis and inflammatory processes (Corbel 1975) assisted by non-specific immune cells such as macrophages, neutrophils, and non-specific cytotoxic cells. When bacterial load increases in the adjacent water, they stimulate the release of high molecular weight glycoproteins from fish skin mucus (van der Marel et al 2010).…”