ShrimpLLH · Role of non-phagocytic, lymphocyte-like haemocytes in the antiviral and antibacterial defence of shrimp
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2020-10-01 → 2022-09-30
- EU contribution
- €178,320
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Role of non-phagocytic, lymphocyte-like haemocytes in the antiviral and antibacterial defence of shrimp
The general goal of ShrimpLLH project is to find better ways to combat infectious diseases in shrimp. One of the most important aims is to stimulate shrimp haemocytes in a direct way to enhance their immunological functions. However, to do so, the immunological role of the different haemocytes in shrimp immunity should be clarified. Therefore, in ShrimpLLH project, it is paramount to investigate the immunological function of the different haemocyte subpopulations in depth. This will be a valuable finding towards the development and screening of novel antiviral and antibacterial therapies in shrimp aquaculture. Also, the project will give rise to novel markers that can be used in shrimp research (quantification of the specific haemocyte populations and localization) to study the hostpathogen interaction. As the haemocyte cells of the two new subpopulations do not show phagocytosis and have a large nucleus surrounded by only a small rim of cytoplasm, they resemble lymphocytes in mammals. Therefore, these cells could be called lymphocyte-like haemocytes (LLHs). The project has three main targets to address the research questions: (i) To isolate LLH. As a first goal, the novel in-house technique will be developed to separate the LLHs in a faster and more efficient manner. This will largely improve LLH viability. (ii) To characterise and subdivide the LLHs. To do so, monoclonal antibodies will be produced, and additional antibody-based separation techniques will be developed. With the use of monoclonal antibodies, LLHspecific plasma membrane proteins will be identified and characterised. With new separation techniques, I will subdivide LLHs into new subpopulations. (iii) To analyse the immunological functions of haemocyte subpopulations. This will allow us to investigate the third research goal: to identify the LLH immunological functions in-vitro towards viruses and (pathogenic) bacteria such as Vibrio campbellii and Vibrio harveyi. ShrimpLLH project will fill the knowledge gap in shrimp immunity, by investigating the immunological role of the haemocyte subpopulations.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) aquaculture industry is the fastest-growing sector of the global aquaculture is threatened worldwide by viral diseases, of which White Spot Syndrome is the most harmful and bacterial diseases, of which Vibriosis is the most damaging. Therefore, appropriate biosecurity and management measures in shrimp aquaculture are important in preventing diseases. Stimulating the immunity in shrimp is another factor that can help shrimp in surviving infectious attacks. Although the immune system of invertebrates has been well studied in insects, much less information is currently available for crustaceans. The general concept in a crustacean is that there are three types of haemocytes in the circulating haemolymph, but recent research in the laboratory of Prof. Dr Hans Nauwynck indicated that the haemocytes of P. vannamei can be separated in five distinguished subpopulations, of which two subpopulations were previously not described. The cells of these two subpopulations resemble mammal lymphocytes and are therefore designated lymphocyte-like haemocytes (LLHs). Against this background, it is paramount to investigate the immunological function of these LLHs in depth. ShrimpLLH project objectives are (i) to isolate, (ii) to characterize and (iii) to analyze the immunological functions of haemocyte subpopulations. This project will further fill the knowledge gap in shrimp immunity, more specifically, it will provide information on the immunological role of LLHs. Since this project is multidisciplinary, it will increase the competence of the candidate in advanced immunological techniques and experience in crustacean innate immunity research. The new knowledge gained in this project will facilitate to develop a technique to screen products that can aid the shrimp haemocytes in their fight against different infectious diseases. ShrimpLLH project is in line with the EU strategy for the development of sustainable aquaculture.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITEIT GENT · GentCoordinatorBelgium
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union