Study of the immunostimulating potential of b-glucan and its mode of action aiming at new administration protocols in tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

Abstract

The immunology of aquatic organisms is a recent issue of huge global importance, since the intensification of aquatic organisms production have led to the diseases outbreaks and hence the growing interest in the defense mechanisms in order to prevent and treat, avoiding the fish mortality and huge economic losses. Immunostimulants may be a viable alternative to avoid economic losses caused by diseases, among them, b-glucan is one of the most applied and studied compound in fish. Thus the present proposal aims to evaluate the b-glucan effects, including the clarification of the possible so-called "trained immunity" (the prolonged innate immunity) in Tilapias through the evaluation of the premises described for the definition of this effect. As well as evaluating the effects of b-glucan on the genes expression of the immune system, and their influence on the intestinal microbiota, in order to determine if the immunomodulatory effects on the organism is due to its direct action on the leukocytes or indirectly on the microbiological populations in the intestine. And to test pre-defined b-glucan immunomodulation protocols in Tilapia. In order to understand the mechanism of action of b-glucan, and to analyze its potential and role in the development of new immunomodulation protocols and possibly new vaccines. (AU)