Objectives

The main aim of our research is to increase the knowledge of transcriptomic and proteomic of the immune response against pathogens of fish and mollusks. Also, we try to identify useful genes as markers in genetic selection programs and to improve the immune response by the use of immunostimulants and vaccines.

With this aim, we study the innate immune response: activity and variability of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and cytokines, inflammation process, antiviral and antibacterial activities, etc. In order to do that, we use immunology, microbiology, molecular biology (Next Generation Sequencing, transcriptomic studies by microarrays, blocking gene expression, etc.) and biochemistry of proteins techniques. Besides, we use the zebrafish as a model to study several diseases both in cultured fish and humans (septic shock, inflammatory diseases, etc.).

The Reference National Laboratory for bivalve mollusks diseases, LNREMB, authorized in 2011 with ISO 17025 for several diagnostic techniques for mollusks pathogens, which depends on Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente (MAGRAMA), realizes its functions within this research group. Dr. Antonio Figueras (director), Dra. Raquel Aranguren and Miss Begoña Villaverde constitute the LNREMB personnel.

Research lines

The main research lines are:

1. Molecular basis of innate immune response of fish and pathogen interaction.

We carried out an important effort in microarrays studies and massive sequencing, including the complete sequencing of two genomes (turbot and mussel). The results obtained in these studies have opened many possibilities of researching, above all regarding the immune response regulation against pathogens. We will confirm the role of several genes identified such as those induced by interferon or lipid mediators and we will study their potential use as immunostimulants or vaccine adjuvants against fish infections. Also, we will assess their association with pathogens resistance to be potentially used in selection genetic programs.

Therefore, one of the tools that will be basic in our research is the zebrafish. We count with its complete genome, the possibility of blocking gene expression with morpholinos and with transgenic fish with fluorescent cells (neutrophils, macrophages, endothelial cells) or that express different fluorescent molecules (IL-1, IFN1), which allows to visualize their in vivo expression. Our objective is to study the chronic inflammation associated to obesity (important both for aquaculture and biomedicine), the processes occurring after infection (interaction with cells and components of the immune system) or the relationship between the antiviral innate response and the adaptive response (very important in vaccination mechanisms). Also, we will study the importance of the innate response in infective processes by the use of mutants Rag1^-/-, which only have innate immune response and the lymphocytes B and T are missing.

2. The immune system of bivalve mollusks and their biotechnological potential

Besides our work at the LNREMB, where we collaborate with the tasks carried out in the field of diagnostic of mollusks pathogens (oyster, mussel, cockle, clam, etc.), it is evident that going in depth in the molecular basis of mollusks diseases resistance is needed to fight against them. We are establishing agreements and consortiums both within the European Union and internationally to work coordinately in this field. We are finishing the mussel genome sequencing, which is one of the most important aquaculture resources in Galicia and Spain. The knowledge of the mussel genome will probably be a source of relevant information for researches from different areas. In our case, this knowledge will be very useful for immune system genes and particularly useful to continue with the AMPs studies. We confirmed that mussel Myticin C synthetic peptides have a strong inhibitory effect against oyster herpesvirus, a virus that has practically destroyed the oyster production in France and other countries. Myticin C synthetic peptides have also antiviral properties against fish virus and we recently described their activity against human viruses. Therefore, the biotechnological potential of the genes from these animals it is still undiscovered.