Characterization and functional analysis of goldfish (Carassius auratus L.) interleukin-10.

This is the first report of comprehensive functional analysis of an interleukin-10 in bony fish. Quantitative expression analysis of goldfish IL-10 revealed the greatest mRNA levels in the spleen tissues, peripheral blood leukocytes and granulocytes. The stimulation of cells with recombinant goldfish (rg) TNFα2 significantly reduced IL-10 mRNA levels in granulocytes and monocytes of the goldfish.

Hymenolepis diminuta (Cestoda) induces changes in expression of select genes of Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera).

The flour beetle Tribolium confusum is a common experimental intermediate host for the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta, but while many aspects of their host-parasite interactions have been determined to have genetic basis, the genes involved have not been identified. In this paper, we report on the expression of several predicted metabolic and defense-related genes using quantitative polymerase chain reaction 2 weeks after initial infection of the beetle. The expression of heat shock protein 68, a predicted sugar transporter, a pheromone binding protein, and endoglin were up-regulated in infected beetles.

Development of macrophages of cyprinid fish.

The innate immune responses of early vertebrates, such as bony fishes, play a central role in host defence against infectious diseases and one of the most important effector cells of innate immunity are macrophages. In order for macrophages to be effective in host defence they must be present at all times in the tissues of their host and importantly, the host must be capable of rapidly increasing macrophage numbers during times of need. Hematopoiesis is a process of formation and development of mature blood cells, including macrophages.

Macrophage colony stimulating factor (CSF-1) is a central growth factor of goldfish macrophages.

We recently characterized macrophage colony stimulating factor (CSF-1) of fish (the goldfish). Here, we report for the first time that goldfish CSF-1 acts through the CSF-1 receptor by showing loss of CSF-1 function in CSF-1R knockdown monocytes using RNAi, and demonstrate that goldfish CSF-1 administration in vivo increases the amount of circulating monocytes in blood. We also show that conditioned supernatants from goldfish fibroblast cultures induced the proliferation of goldfish monocytes indicating that, like in mammals, teleost fibroblasts are an important producer of CSF-1.