Immunology of Fish

Thelma C Fletcher, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
Christopher J Secombes, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK

Published online: February 2010

DOI: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0000520.pub2

Innate immunity provides some form of defence against pathogens in all multicellular organisms but with cartilaginous and bony fish, although the lowest group of jawed vertebrates, the addition of a classic adaptive immune response becomes apparent. This provides the refinements of specificity for antigen recognition and memory. The T- and B lymphocytes are the effector leucocytes, acquiring their antigen-specific receptors (immunoglobulin for B cells and T-cell receptor for T cells) in the anterior kidney (bone marrow being absent) and thymus. The B cells are responsible for the production of antibodies that function as different immunoglobulin classes, whereas subsets of T lymphocytes are capable of killing target cells or helping with B- and other T-cell functions. Knowledge of these mechanisms is important for the use and design of vaccines, now so essential for the aquaculture industry, whereas studies of fish immunology contribute to the understanding of the evolution of adaptive immunity.

Key concepts:

  • Fish possess innate and adaptive immune responses, with classical adaptive immunity present only in jawed vertebrates.
  • Adaptive immunity allows memory of prior exposure to foreign molecules (antigens), so that on subsequent contact protective mechanisms are more rapidly mobilized: the basis of vaccination.
  • Lymphocytes mediate adaptive immunity and have surface receptors that recognize antigens, initiating the production of circulating antibodies and the activation of cell-mediated responses.
  • The functions of the immune system are similar in fish and mammals although there are differences due to the aquatic physiology and ectothermic nature of fish that provide evolutionary interest.
  • Leucocyte–antigen interactions take place in immune sites, such as the kidneys, spleen, gills and intestine. Bone marrow and lymph nodes are lacking.
  • Knowledge of fish immunology is proving essential for the development of vaccines for the expanding aquaculture industry.

Keywords: fish; haematopoiesis; immunology; inflammation; vaccines

Figure 1. Gene organization of the IgM heavy chain seen in (a) cartilaginous fish and (b) bony fish.
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Related Sub-Topics:

Acquired (Adaptive) Immunity | Innate Immunity | Cells of the Immune System | Tissues of the Immune System
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Article Title: Immunology of Fish
 
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Fletcher, Thelma C, and Secombes, Christopher J(Feb 2010) Immunology of Fish. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. http://www.els.net [doi: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0000520.pub2]