Abstract
The bulbus arteriosus is the most anterior chamber of the teleost heart. The present study aimed to establish the presence, and to provide semi-quantitative information on the abundance, of several immune and cell-cycle proteins in the bulbus arteriosus of healthy Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). Using immunohistochemistry, lymphocyte-like cells were identified in the bulbus arteriosus using antibodies to CD3ε and MHC class IIβ. Few PCNA positive cells were identified in post-smolt fish as compared to moderate levels of staining in fresh water fry. Interestingly no staining was evident in adult fish (1-3 kg), thus there was a loss of cells expressing cell-cycle regulatory proteins with ontogeny/progressive life-history stages. Eosinophilic granulocytes (EGCs) were identified in the bulbus arteriosus using TNFα and HIF1α antibodies. Anti-caspase 3 immune-reaction identified a strong endothelial cytoplasmic staining in the bulbus arteriosus. Taken together, the immunolocalization of immune-related molecules (CD3, MHC class II and TNFα), cell-cycle regulatory proteins (PCNA and HIF1α) and apoptosis markers (TUNEL, caspase 3) suggest that the bulbus arteriosus may have an immune component within its functional repertoire.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 64-69 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Fish & Shellfish Immunology |
Volume | 51 |
Early online date | 10 Feb 2016 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2016 |
Bibliographical note
AcknowledgementsThe author would like to express cordial thanks to Miroslava Hansen and Terje Markussen for histological assistance in the lab.
Keywords
- Atlantic salmon
- Bulbus arteriosus
- Caspase
- CD3
- HIF1α
- Immunohistochemistry
- MHC II
- TNFα