The eel immune system: present knowledge and the need for research.

M E Nielsen; M D Esteve-Gassent

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2761.2006.00695.x

Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 16436117

The eel immune system: present knowledge and the need for research.

M E Nielsen·M D Esteve-Gassent

View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

The European eel, Anguilla anguilla, is one of the most important warm water fish species cultured in southern Europe and the Mediterranean as well as in northern countries including Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark. The Japanese eel, A. japonica, is an important cultured fish in several Asiatic countries including Japan, China and Taiwan. During recent decades, research has been performed to elucidate the immune response of these species against different pathogens (viruses, bacteria or parasites). Nevertheless, there is very limited information in terms of both cellular and humoral immune responses. This review summarizes the present knowledge relating to the eel immune system and includes new data.

Explore related subjects

Anguilla Animals Antibody Formation Aquaculture Fish Diseases Immune System Immunity, Cellular Immunity, Innate Immunity, Mucosal Vaccination Vaccines Journal Article Review

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeX RIS

M E Nielsen, M D Esteve-Gassent. 2006. The eel immune system: present knowledge and the need for research.. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2761.2006.00695.x

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2007

Transfer of spermatogenesis-related cDNAs into eel testis germ-somatic cell coculture pellets by electroporation: methods for analysis of gene function.

Genes encoding spermatogenesis-related substance (eSRSs) show unique expression patterns during spermatogenesis. To analyze their function, we developed a new assay system using gene transfer techniques combined with coculture of the eel germ-somatic cells. First, we investigated the efficacy of in vitro electroporation transfer of gene into germ-somatic cell pellets using green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene. Second, in order to define the function of the eSRSs, we electrophoretically transferred eel spermatogonial stem cell renewal factor (eSRS34) and eel spermatogenesis-preventing substance (eSRS21) genes into germ-somatic cell pellets. Presence of the transferred cDNA was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, proliferating cells were detected histologically, after labeling with BrdU. Transfer of the eSRS34 gene induced spermatogonial stem cell renewal in the pellets. Moreover, 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) treatment stimulated the proliferation of spermatogonia, which resulted in the appearance of late type B spermatogonia in the pellets. The proliferation of spermatogonia by 11-KT stimulation was suppressed by transfer of the eSRS21 gene. These results indicate that the transferred eSRS34 and 21genes were functional in the pellets. Thus, an efficient in vitro gene transfer technique for coculture system of germ and somatic cell of Japanese eel was established.

Anguilla↗

PubMed2006

Stegodexamene anguillae (Digenea: Lepocreadiidae), an intestinal parasite of eels (Anguilla spp.) in New Caledonia.

Adult trematodes of the genus Stegodexamene Macfarlane, 1951 were recorded from the intestines of two species of freshwater eels, the Pacific short-finned eel Anguilla obscura Günther and the speckled longfin eel Anguilla reinhardtii Steindachner from the Pouembout and La Foa Rivers, New Caledonia, South Pacific. They were identified as Stegodexamene anguillae Macfarlane, 1951, a species previously reported only from eels in New Zealand. The morphology of adult S. anguillae seems to be practically identical with that of the later described Stegodexamene callista Watson 1984 from eels in Australia. The finding of S. anguillae in A. obscura and A. reinhardtii in New Caledonia represents new geographical and host records. In addition to this trematode, two larval specimens of a cestode of the order Proteocephalidea were found in the intestine of one A. obscura from the Pouembout River. No monogenean was found in eels of New Caledonia.

Anguilla↗

PubMed2006

The dynamics of the nematode Anguillicola crassus, Kuvahara 1974 in eel Anguilla anguilla (L. 1758) in the Sebou estuary (Morocco).

The European eel is a vulnerable fish by its complex life cycle, by the impact of pollution of the near total of freshwater aquatic environments, and by the gravity and the diversity of its parasites (nematodes, cestodes, trematodes, the Copepoda, Coccidia...). It is classified in the red book of threatened species. The anguillulose is the principal parasitic pathology of an eel either in the natural environment or in the aquaculture. The eels taken in the three zones of the Sebou estuary of varied environmental conditions were dissected for the research of parasites. Of the fish, 85.7% are infested upstream of the estuary, whereas only 71% shelter this parasite in their swim bladder, with an abundance of 2.09 per fish downstream and 83.8 in zone 2. The present study suggests the development stage of the fish, and therefore its diet, has an influence on the parasitic infestation. The estuaries and the lagoons constitute a very significant medium for the safeguarding and the disinfection of parasitized eels.

Anguilla↗