Gut-liver immune and redox response in hybrid fish (Carassius cuvieri ♀ × Carassius auratus red var. ♂) after gut infection with Aeromonas hydrophila.

ABSTRACT

Aeromonas hydrophila can pose a great threat to fish survival. In this study, we investigated the differential immune and redox response in gut-liver axis of hybrid fish (WR) undergoing gut infection. WR anally intubated with A. hydrophila showed severe midgut injury with decreased length-to-width ratios of villi along with GC hyperplasia and enhanced antioxidant activities, but expression profiles of cytokines, chemokines, antibacterial molecules, redox sensors and tight junction proteins decreased dramatically. In contrast, immune-related gene expressions and antioxidant activities increased significantly in liver of WR following gut infection with A. hydrophila. These results highlighted the differential immune regulation and redox balance in gut-liver axis response to bacterial infection.