Novel protein-based therapy for the managing disease that stimulates catfish antimicrobial immunity and tissue repair system

Authors: DOLAN, MAUREEN - Arkansas State University; ELKINS, LANA - Arkansas State University; Lange, Miles; Abernathy, Jason

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/30/2018
Publication Date: 12/2/2018
Citation: Dolan, M.C., Elkins, L., Lange, M.D., Abernathy, J.W. 2018. Novel protein-based therapy for the managing disease that stimulates catfish antimicrobial immunity and tissue repair system [abstract]. 99th Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases, December 2-4, 2018, Chicago, Illinois. PO52.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: There is a limited therapeutic portfolio for managing fish stress and disease outbreaks in the steadily expanding global aquaculture industry. With growing interest in reducing antibiotic use in the food animal industries, protein-based therapies with increased specificity and improved efficacy offer an alternative approach. Using knowledge from human/mammalian immunity and molecular homologs present in fish, a protein that naturally triggers antimicrobial production and tissue repair at mucosal barriers in animals may provide an interesting target for novel therapeutant development. Targeting the innate immune system of fish as a first line of defense to boost the fishes own natural immunity to inhibit pathogen entry and spread in fish is the overarching concept of this proposed approach. To this end, this project aims to produce recombinant variants (genetic fusions with lectin and glycosylated tag) of a channel catfish IL-22 protein in efforts to stabilize this a protein-based therapy in the aquaculture setting. Primary epithelial cell cultures (gill and skin) will be established in providing a currently unavailable tool in this field for assessing/selection of lead test therapeutants as well as in gaining a better understanding of catfish mucosal immunity. Toxicity and dosing validation of lead cfIL-22 therapeutant in fish for initial testing with a catfish columnaris challenge model and transcriptomics analysis to examine global gene expression of IL-22 treatment on channel catfish will provide important proof-of-concept for this novel strategy. Progress on recombinant protein expression of cfIL-22 produced using a plant-based expression system and efforts to establish catfish primary cell cultures. Several new bioassays important for validating a cfIL-22 therapeutant will be presented. If successful, this recombinant protein therapeutant may offer significant economic benefits to the aquaculture industry in providing a safer therapy with less/no negative impact on the environment and with better regulatory and consumer acceptance of antibiotic-free farm fish products.