Kinetics of Parasite-Specific Antibody and B-Cell-Associated Gene Expression in Brown Trout, Salmo trutta during Proliferative Kidney Disease

Abstract

Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae, a myxozoan endoparasite often causes chronic infection in brown trout. Antiparasite immunity mediated by antibodies and B cells is known as an important determinant of host survival and parasite proliferation during chronic infections. Accordingly, studying their time course during proliferative kidney disease (PKD) might be helpful in improving our understanding of its chronic nature. Therefore, we conducted this study to examine parasite specific serum antibody and B-cell-mediated response in laboratory-infected brown trout at different time points. Brown trout were exposed to the spores of T. bryosalmonae, derived from infected bryozoans. Samples were collected at different time points and processed for indirect ELISA, histopathology, and qRT-PCR. T. bryosalmonae specific antibody was detected at 4 weeks post exposure (wpe) and it persisted until 17 wpe. Additionally, the expressions of C4A, CD34, CD79A, BLNK, CD74, BCL7, and CD22 were differentially regulated in the important immune organs, kidney and spleen. To our knowledge, this is the first study addressing anti-T. bryosalmonae antibody response in brown trout at different time points. The results from this study provide valuable insights into the processes leading to changes in B cell development, inflammation and antibody production during the course of PKD in brown trout.