Molecular cloning, characterization and gene expression analysis of twelve interleukins in obscure puffer Takifugu obscurus

• Published in: Fish and shellfish immunology reports 2023-12, Vol.5, p.100103-100103, Article 100103
• Main Authors: Huang, Ying, Luo, Peng, Jiang, Fu-Hui, Gao, Hui-Ze, Cui, Li-Fan, Zhao, Zhe
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibacterial immunity; Expression pattern analysis; Interleukins; Takifugu obscurus
• ISSN: 2667-0119; 2667-0119
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fsirep.2023.100103

•12 interleukin genes were identified from Takifugu obscurus.•Most ToIL genes were broadly expressed in all the examined tissues.•12 ToIL genes increased significantly following bacterial infection.•12 ToILs were involved in antibacterial immune response of T. obscurus. Interleukins (ILs) are a subgroup of secreted cytokines, which are molecules involved in the intercellular regulation of the immune system. In this study, 12 IL homologs were cloned and functionally identified from obscure puffer Takifugu obscurus, and they were termed as ToIL-1β, ToIL-1, ToIL-6, ToIL-10, ToIL-11, ToIL-12, ToIL-17, ToIL-18, ToIL-20, ToIL-24, ToIL-27, and ToIL-34. Multiple alignment results showed that except for ToIL-24 and ToIL-27, other deduced ToIL proteins shared typical characteristics and structure with other known fish ILs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 12 ToILs were evolutionarily closely related to their counterparts in other selected vertebrates. Tissue distribution assay demonstrated that the mRNA transcripts of most ToIL genes were constitutively expressed in all tissues examined, with relatively high expression in immune tissues. Following Vibrio harveyi and Staphylococcus aureus infection, the expression levels of 12 ToILs in the spleen and liver were significantly upregulated, and their response over time varied. Taken together, these data were discussed accordingly with the ToIL expression and the immune response under the different situations tested. The results suggest that the 12 ToIL genes are involved in the antibacterial immune response in T. obscurus.