Seasonal variation and comparative analysis of non-specific humoral immune substances in the skin mucus of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

• Published in: Developmental and comparative immunology 2012-10, Vol.38 (2), p.295-301
• Main Authors: Jung, Tae Sung, del Castillo, Carmelo S., Javaregowda, Palaksha K., Dalvi, Rishikesh S., Nho, Seong Won, Park, Seong Bin, Jang, Ho Bin, Cha, In Seok, Sung, Haan Woo, Hikima, Jun-ichi, Aoki, Takashi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; antibodies; aquatic environment; Bastard halibut; Climate; farms; flounder; Flounder - immunology; Hemagglutination; hemagglutinins; Immunoglobulin M - immunology; lysozyme; Marine; microorganisms; mucus; Non-specific humoral immune substances; Olive flounder; Paralichthys olivaceus; pathogens; Peptide Hydrolases - analysis; Peptide Hydrolases - metabolism; Pleuronectiformes; proteinases; rearing; seasonal variation; Seasons; secretion; Skin - enzymology; Skin - immunology; Skin mucus; water temperature
• ISSN: 0145-305X; 1879-0089
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2012.06.005

► Level of mucosal antibodies and other enzymes were recorded bimonthly for 1year. ► A positive correlation between temperature and mucosal antibodies was detected. ► An inverse relationship between mucosal antibodies and protease was detected. The epidermal secretion of fish contains various non-specific immune substances that act as the first line of defense against invading pathogens. The present study investigated the level of mucosal antibodies, the activities of hemagglutinin and protease, and other enzymes in the skin mucus of farm reared olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) for 1year, in order to gain an insight into the relationship between these mucosal immune substances and their seasonal variation. These levels varied significantly during different months of sample collection. The present study showed a positive correlation between water temperature and the level of mucosal antibodies, and an inverse relationship between the level of mucosal antibodies and the activity of mucosal hemagglutinin and protease, but no relationship between lysozyme activity and other innate immune substances. This relationship is thought to be a compensatory response in olive flounder to protect itself against pathogenic microorganisms which are inherently present in the aquatic environment.