Fish immune responses and immunogenomics
The group is currently involved in genomic research in fish in order to understand the processes of early immune activation. In close collaboration with the Microarray Center in Turku (University of Kuopio, Finland) the group has developed a set of salmonid-specific IMMUNE-ENRICHED MICROARRAYS that allow to determine the genes involved in the fish immune response to cortisol, LPS, viral and ecotoxicological insults.
An specific research has been conducted on the COMPLEMENT SYSTEM in fish as one of the most important defence mechanisms, and specifically on the key protein C3. The group has been involved in the study of the function, variability and physiology of C3 in the teleosts in collaboration with Dr. J.O.Sunyer (University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, USA). Expression of cytokines (TNF alpha, ILbeta) and chemokines (CCL4) are studied in relation with the activation of the immune system by several PAMPs (LPS, Poly I:C, zymosan).
Stress and immunosuppression in fish
The group studies the STRESS RESPONSES (endocrine, immune, metabolic) in different fish species. Most of the work has been performed on the gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) as the main piscine production in the Mediterranean area, but other fish such as sea bass, perch, trout and elasmobranchs (dogfish) have been eventually studied.
The group is currently working on the determination of immunodepressed states through a number of INDICATORS OF THE NON-SPECIFIC IMMUNE SYSTEM: Immunoglobulins, agglutination activity, lymphocyte numbers, lysozyme activity, complement activity, phagocytic indicators, bacteriolytic activity and challenge tests are currently determined. The role of CORTISOL modulating the immune response constitutes a major area of present research. Several approaches are currently being used such as administration in vivo or in cell culture and gene expression, and the influence on the central organs (head kidney) or peripheral tissues (blood, tissues) is studied.