Dual RNA-seq of spleens extracted from channel catfish infected with Aeromonas veronii reveals novel insights into host-pathogen interactions

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 2023-03, Vol.252, p.114609-114609, Article 114609
• Main Authors: Qin, Gaixiao, Ai, Xiaohui, Xu, Jin, Yang, Yibin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aeromonas veronii; Aeromonas veronii - genetics; Animals; Channel catfish; Dual RNA-seq; Fish Diseases - genetics; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections - veterinary; Hemolysin; Host-Pathogen Interactions - genetics; Ictaluridae - genetics; RNA-Seq; Sequence Analysis, RNA; Signaling pathway; Spleen
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114609

Interactions between host and pathogen are involving various dynamic changes in transcript expression and critical for understanding host immunity against infections and its associated pathogenesis. Herein, we established a model of channel catfish infected with Aeromonas veronii. The infected fish had prominent body surface bleeding, and the spleen showed hyperemia and swelling. Then, the spleen of channel catfish infected with A. veronii was analyzed by dual RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and the transcriptome data were compared with uninfected channel catfish spleen or bacteria cultured in vitro. The transcript expression profile of pathogen-host interaction between A. veronii and channel catfish was successfully studied. During infection, the host was enriched for multiple immune-related signaling pathways, such as the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and T cell receptor signaling pathway; and significantly upregulated for many innate immune-related genes, including IL-8. At the same time, we found that A. veronii mainly harmed the host spleen through hemolysin. Our current findings are of great significance in clarifying the pathogenesis of channel catfish induced by A. veronii and provide gene targets for developing preventive measures. •A. veronii can not only activate the non-specific immunity of channel catfish, but also activate the specific immunity.•A. veronii mainly depends on hemolysin D to cause channel catfish disease.•The interaction between pathogen and host needs a lot of energy.