Unravelling turbot () resistance to : transcriptomic insights from two full-sibling families with divergent susceptibility.

Introduction: Furunculosis, caused by the gram-negative bacterium subsp. , remains a significant threat to turbot () aquaculture. Identifying genetic backgrounds with enhanced disease resistance is critical for improving aquaculture health management, reducing antibiotic dependency, and mitigating economic losses.

Characterization of a fish-specific immunoglobulin-like domain-containing protein (Igldcp) in zebrafish (Danio rerio) induced after nodavirus infection.

One of the most highly induced genes in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae after infection with the nodavirus red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) was a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF), which has remained uncharacterized and erroneously annotated in zebrafish and other fish species as galectin 17 (lgals17). We characterized this gene and named it immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domain-containing protein (igldcp), a new member of the IgSF that does not possess orthologs in mammals. Igldcp expression is induced by viral infection and it belongs to the group of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs).

Transcriptomic and functional analysis of the antiviral response of mussels after a poly I:C stimulation.

The study of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) has grown in importance in recent years due to their high economic value and resistance to pathogens. Because of the biological characteristics revealed by mussel genome sequencing, this species is a valuable research model. The high genomic variability and diversity, particularly in immune genes, may be responsible for their resistance to pathogens found in seawater and continuously filtered and internalized by them.

Screening of Microalgae for Bioactivity with Antiviral, Antibacterial, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Cancer Assays.

Marine microalgae are a rich reservoir of natural compounds, including bioactives. Nonetheless, these organisms remain fairly unexplored despite their potential biotechnological applications. Culture collections with diverse taxonomic groups and lifestyles are a good source to unlock this potential and discover new molecules for multiple applications such as the treatment of human pathologies or the production of aquaculture species.

Transcriptomic analysis of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) treated with zymosan a reveals that lncRNAs and inflammation-related genes mediate the protection conferred against Aeromonas salmonicida.

Aeromonas salmonicida is one of the most harmful pathogens in finfish aquaculture worldwide. Immunostimulants such as β-glucans are used to enhance the immunity of cultured fish. However, their effects on fish physiology are not completely understood.

AG5 is a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and immune regulator that preserves innate immunity.

An archetypal anti-inflammatory compound against cytokine storm would inhibit it without suppressing the innate immune response. AG5, an anti-inflammatory compound, has been developed as synthetic derivative of andrographolide, which is highly absorbable and presents low toxicity. We found that the mechanism of action of AG5 is through the inhibition of caspase-1.

A Genomic and Transcriptomic Analysis of the C-Type Lectin Gene Family Reveals Highly Expanded and Diversified Repertoires in Bivalves.

C-type lectins belong to a widely conserved family of lectins characterized in Metazoa. They show important functional diversity and immune implications, mainly as pathogen recognition receptors. In this work, C-type lectin-like proteins (CTLs) of a set of metazoan species were analyzed, revealing an important expansion in bivalve mollusks, which contrasted with the reduced repertoires of other mollusks, such as cephalopods.

Mussel antiviral transcriptome response and elimination of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV).

As filter-feeding bivalves, mussels have been traditionally studied as possible vectors of different bacterial or viral pathogens. The absence of a known viral pathogen in these bivalves makes it particularly interesting to study the interaction of the mussel innate immune system with a virus of interest. In the present work, mussels were challenged with viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV), which is a pathogen in several fish species.

RNA-Seq analysis of juvenile gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) provides some clues regarding their resistance to the nodavirus RGNNV genotype.

Gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) is considered an asymptomatic carrier for the nodavirus genotype affecting European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), RGNNV. Only larvae and juveniles of sea bream have been found to be susceptible to the RGNNV/SJNNV reassortant. Nevertheless, the molecular bases of the high resistance of sea bream against RGNNV are not known, and the overall transcriptome response to the virus remains unexplored.

An environmentally relevant concentration of antibiotics impairs the immune system of zebrafish () and increases susceptibility to virus infection.

In this work, we analysed the transcriptome and metatranscriptome profiles of zebrafish exposed to an environmental concentration of the two antibiotics most frequently detected in European inland surface water, sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and clarithromycin (CLA). We found that those animals exposed to antibiotics (SMX+CLA) for two weeks showed a higher bacterial load in both the intestine and kidney; however, significant differences in the relative abundance of certain bacterial classes were found only in the intestine, which also showed an altered fungal profile. RNA-Seq analysis revealed that the complement/coagulation system is likely the most altered immune mechanism, although not the only one, in the intestine of fish exposed to antibiotics, with numerous genes inhibited compared to the control fish.

Adverse (geno)toxic effects of bisphenol A and its analogues in hepatic 3D cell model.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most widely used and versatile chemical compounds in polymer additives and epoxy resins for manufacturing a range of products for human applications. It is known as endocrine disruptor, however, there is growing evidence that it is genotoxic. Because of its adverse effects, the European Union has restricted its use to protect human health and the environment.

Exploring the Potential of Metatranscriptomics to Describe Microbial Communities and Their Effects in Molluscs.

Metatranscriptomics has emerged as a very useful technology for the study of microbiomes from RNA-seq reads. This method provides additional information compared to the sequencing of ribosomal genes because the gene expression can also be analysed. In this work, we used the metatranscriptomic approach to study the whole microbiome of mussels, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoans, by mapping the RNA-seq reads to custom assembly databases (including the genomes of microorganisms publicly available).

High-throughput sequencing as a tool for monitoring prokaryote communities in a wastewater treatment plant.

In this study, the DNA metabarcoding technique was used to explore the prokaryote diversity and community structure in wastewater collected in spring and winter 2020-2021 as well as the efficiency of the treatment in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Ría de Vigo (NW Spain). The samplings included raw wastewater from the inlet stream (M1), the discharge water after the disinfection treatment (M3) and mussels used as bioindicators of possible contamination of the marine environment. Significant differences were discovered in the microbiome of each type of sample (M1, M3 and mussels), with 92 %, 45 % and 44 % of exclusive OTUs found in mussel, M3 and M1 samples respectively.

3D-Printed PLA Medical Devices: Physicochemical Changes and Biological Response after Sterilisation Treatments.

Polylactic acid (PLA) has become one of the most commonly used polymers in medical devices given its biocompatible, biodegradable and bioabsorbable properties. In addition, due to PLA's thermoplastic behaviour, these medical devices are now obtained using 3D printing technologies. Once obtained, the 3D-printed PLA devices undergo different sterilisation procedures, which are essential to prevent infections.

Health Status of from Intensive Culture Areas in Chile Assessed by Molecular, Microbiological, and Histological Analyses.

Shellfish farming is a relevant economic activity in Chile, where the inner sea in Chiloé island concentrates 99% of the production of the mussel . This area is characterized by the presence of numerous human activities, which could harm the quality of seawater. Additionally, the presence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms can influence the health status of mussels, which must be constantly monitored.

Wastewater and marine bioindicators surveillance to anticipate COVID-19 prevalence and to explore SARS-CoV-2 diversity by next generation sequencing: One-year study.

This study presents the results of SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in sewage water of 11 municipalities and marine bioindicators in Galicia (NW of Spain) from May 2020 to May 2021. An integrated pipeline was developed including sampling, pre-treatment and biomarker quantification, RNA detection, SARS-CoV-2 sequencing, mechanistic mathematical modeling and forecasting. The viral load in the inlet stream to the wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) was used to detect new outbreaks of COVID-19, and the data of viral load in the wastewater in combination with data provided by the health system was used to predict the evolution of the pandemic in the municipalities under study within a time horizon of 7 days.

Zebrafish as a Vertebrate Model for Studying Nodavirus Infections.

Nervous necrosis virus (NNV) is a neurotropic pathogenic virus affecting a multitude of marine and freshwater fish species that has a high economic impact on aquaculture farms worldwide. Therefore, the development of new tools and strategies aimed at reducing the mortality caused by this virus is a pivotal need. Although zebrafish is not considered a natural host for NNV, the numerous experimental advantages of this species make zebrafish an attractive model for studying different aspects of the disease caused by NNV, viral encephalopathy and retinopathy (VER).

Surgical face masks as a source of emergent pollutants in aquatic systems: Analysis of their degradation product effects in Danio rerio through RNA-Seq.

Surgical face masks are the most popularised and effective personal equipment for protecting public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are composed of plastic polymer fibres with a large amount of inorganic and organic compounds that can be released into aquatic environments through degradation processes. This source of microplastics and inorganic and organic substances could potentially impact aquatic organisms.

High-Throughput Sequencing of Environmental DNA as a Tool for Monitoring Eukaryotic Communities and Potential Pathogens in a Coastal Upwelling Ecosystem.

The marine environment includes diverse microeukaryotic organisms that play important functional roles in the ecosystem. With molecular approaches, eukaryotic taxonomy has been improved, complementing classical analysis. In this study, DNA metabarcoding was performed to describe putative pathogenic eukaryotic microorganisms in sediment and marine water fractions collected in Galicia (NW Spain) from 2016 to 2018.

Genomic and transcriptomic identification of the cathepsin superfamily in the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis.

Cathepsins are lysosomal enzymes that participate in important physiological processes, such as development, tissue remodelling, senescence and innate and adaptive immunity. The description of these proteins in molluscs is fragmented and incomplete. In the present work, we identified most of the cathepsin family members in the bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis by screening published genomic and transcriptomic information.

Differential Expression of Long Non-Coding RNA (lncRNA) in Mediterranean Mussel () Hemocytes under Immune Stimuli.

The Mediterranean mussel is one of the most economically relevant bivalve mollusk species in Europe and China. The absence of massive mortalities and their resistance to pathogens affecting other cultured bivalves has been under study in recent years. The transcriptome response of this species to different immune stimuli has been extensively studied, and even the complexity of its genome, which has recently been sequenced, has been suggested as one of the factors contributing to this resistance.