Insights into the antibacterial and immunomodulatory functions of the antimicrobial peptide, epinecidin-1, against Vibrio vulnificus infection in zebrafish

Oral administration of recombinant epinecidin-1 protected grouper (Epinephelus coioides) and zebrafish (Danio rerio) from Vibrio vulnificus infection and enhanced immune-related gene expressions

“…An intraperitoneal injection of immune-stimulating substances in fish was found to have the mostrapid response and be the most-effective method [32]; however incorporation into fish forage is the most suitable method for fish farmers. An intraperitoneal injection of synthesized epinecidin-1 peptide was reported to increase the resistance against V. vulnificus (204) [11]. Although the epinecidin-1 peptide was widely studied with different research goals throughout the world, there is no detailed report on its application in preventing fish diseases by oral administration.…”

“…Using an improved Tol2 transposon system to produce transgenic zebrafish with epinecidin-1 with enhanced resistance to bacterial infection and a real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed that transgenic epinecidin-1 zebrafish themselves induced endogenous MyD88 expression in vivo [10]. Injection of a synthetic epinecidin-1 peptide into zebrafish showed that epinecidin-1 modulated the expressions of immune-responsive genes like IL-10, IL-1b, TNF-a, and INF-g as analyzed by a microarray and qualitative (q)PCR approach [11]. Those results mentioned above suggest that epinecidin-1 is a useful material as an immunostimulant which can be applied to aquaculture and viral therapy.…”

Zebrafish as a model for zoonotic aquatic pathogens

“…All three of these organisms have been modeled in the zebrafish (He et al, 2011; Pan et al, 2011; Paranjpye et al, 2013; Wang et al, 2008). …”

Zebrafish fed on recombinant Artemia expressing epinecidin-1 exhibit increased survival and altered expression of immunomodulatory genes upon Vibrio vulnificus infection

“…Epinecidin-1 has been shown to be active against Gram-negative and -positive bacteria, viruses, Candida albicans, and Trichomonas vaginalis [10e12]. In addition to its direct antibacterial functions, epinecidin-1 can also regulate the innate immune system in response to V. vulnificus infection in zebrafish [13]. Although epinecidin-1 has been actively studied for 7 years, its use in aquaculture is not yet widespread.…”