Alteration of synergistic immune response in gut-liver axis of white crucian carp (Carassius cuvieri) after gut infection with Aeromonas hydrophila.

Aeromonas hydrophila can pose a great threat to the survival of farmed fish. In current study, we investigated the pathological characteristics and immune response in gut-liver axis of white crucian carp (WCC) upon gut infection. WCC anally intubated with A. hydrophila exerted a tissue deformation in damaged midgut with elevated levels of goblet cells along with a significant decrease in tight junction proteins and villi length-to-width ratios. In addition, immune-related gene expressions and antioxidant properties increased dramatically in gut-liver axis of WCC following gut infection with A. hydrophila. These results highlighted the immune modulation and redox alteration in gut-liver axis of WCC in response to gut infection.