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Wang H, Su Q, Sun H, Meng Y, Xing X, Zheng H, Li Y. Unexpected Microbial and Genetic Diversity in the Gut of Chinese Giant Salamander. Integr Zool 2025. [PMID: 40165002 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2025] [Accepted: 03/06/2025] [Indexed: 04/02/2025]
Abstract
The gut microbiome is crucial for animal health, yet the diversity of the critically endangered Chinese giant salamander's gut microbiota remains largely uncharacterized. In this study, we first conducted a comprehensive landscape survey of the gut microbiome of the Chinese giant salamander using 16S rRNA sequencing across a wide geographic range, identifying a distinct microbial cluster within its habitat. Subsequently, using shotgun metagenomes, we recovered 1518 metagenome-assembled genomes. Notably, 85% of the newly identified genomes could not be assigned to any known bacterial species, indicating a significant presence of novel taxa in Chinese giant salamander intestines. We observed substantial species-level variations in the gut microbiome across different age groups, with some novel species uniquely enriched in specific age populations. From the gut symbionts, we established a gene catalog comprising 3 278 107 non-redundant protein-coding genes, of which 7733 were annotated into recognized KEGG orthology groups. Additionally, we found that the gut microbiota of the Chinese giant salamander exhibits enhanced functional capacities explicitly in lipid metabolism and assimilatory sulfate reduction. Significant variations in the abundance of related enzyme-encoding genes across age groups suggest the unique roles of microbial metabolism in salamander health. By identifying microbial genomes and constructing an integrated gene catalog from metagenomic data, we significantly expand the resources available for research on the gut microbiome of the Chinese giant salamander, paving the way for further investigations into its ecological and health-related implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjian Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qinzhi Su
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Huihui Sun
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yujie Meng
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinhui Xing
- Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hao Zheng
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yiyuan Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Zhai J, Fan Y, Li Y, Xue M, Meng Y, Huang Z, Ma J, Zhou Y, Jiang N. The Protective Effects and Immunological Responses Induced by a Carboxymethyl Cellulose Microcapsule-Coated Inactivated Vaccine Against Largemouth Bass Ranavirus (LMBRaV) in Largemouth Bass ( Micropterus salmoides). Vaccines (Basel) 2025; 13:233. [PMID: 40266084 PMCID: PMC11946483 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines13030233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2025] [Revised: 02/06/2025] [Accepted: 02/21/2025] [Indexed: 04/24/2025] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epizootics of largemouth bass ranavirus (LMBRaV) in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) populations are associated with elevated mortality and significant financial losses. Given the lack of effective and safe medication to treat this disease, oral vaccination, which directly targets the intestinal mucosal immune system, is crucial for disease resistance. METHODS This study utilized carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to coat LMBRaV inactivated vaccine (LIV) (micro-CMC@LIV). The morphology and characteristics of the CMC microcapsules were determined. In vitro simulated gastric and intestinal conditions were used to validate that the microcapsules could tolerate gastric conditions and subsequently release their contents in the intestinal tract. This was confirmed using CMC-coated coumarin 6 (C6) fluorescence microcapsules. RESULTS After the oral administration of micro-CMC@LIV, the detection of LMBRaV major capsid protein confirmed effective antigen release and absorption in the midgut and hindgut. Neutralizing antibody titers were significantly higher (1:81.71) in the micro-CMC@LIV group compared to the uncoated vaccine group (1:21.69). The expression of genes linked to the innate and adaptive immune systems was upregulated post-micro-CMC@LIV treatment. Following the LMBRaV challenge, the micro-CMC@LIV group exhibited a relative percent survival (RPS) of 82.14%, significantly higher than the uncoated vaccine group (61.61%). Droplet digital PCR analysis revealed significantly lower viral loads in the liver, spleen, and head kidney of the micro-CMC@LIV group compared to the control group and the uncoated vaccine group. CONCLUSIONS These results collectively suggest that the CMC-coated LIV can be effectively delivered to the intestinal tract and induce robust antibody and immune responses, providing a reliable method for preventing and controlling LMBRaV disease in the largemouth bass industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiale Zhai
- Division of Fish Disease, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yuding Fan
- Division of Fish Disease, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China
| | - Yiqun Li
- Division of Fish Disease, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China
| | - Mingyang Xue
- Division of Fish Disease, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China
| | - Yan Meng
- Division of Fish Disease, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China
| | - Zhenyu Huang
- Division of Fish Disease, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China
| | - Jie Ma
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Science, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Yong Zhou
- Division of Fish Disease, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Nan Jiang
- Division of Fish Disease, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China
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Ching KWC, Mokhtar NF, Tye GJ. Identification of significant hub genes and pathways associated with metastatic breast cancer and tolerogenic dendritic cell via bioinformatics analysis. Comput Biol Med 2025; 184:109396. [PMID: 39549529 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.109396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2024] [Revised: 10/08/2024] [Accepted: 11/07/2024] [Indexed: 11/18/2024]
Abstract
Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is an advanced-stage breast cancer associated with more than 90 % of cancer-related deaths. Immunosuppressive properties of tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDCs) in tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) may be a risk factor for the rapid progression to MBC. However, the exact connections between the two are unknown. The aim of the current study is to uncover gene signatures and key pathways associated with MBC and tolDCs via an integrated bioinformatics approach. Gene expression profiles of MBC and tolDCs were retrieved from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to identify common differentially expressed genes (DEGs). From DGE analysis, 529 upregulated common DEGs and 367 downregulated common DEGs had been identified. In enrichment analysis, common DEGs enriched in GO terms of defense response to virus and KEGG pathway of transcriptional misregulation in cancer were reported to be significantly associated with MBC and tolDCs. From the constructed PPI networks, 23 hub genes were identified, although only 5 genes were significant; 3 upregulated (ISG15, OAS2 and RSAD2) and 2 downregulated (eEF2 and PPARG) as they were found to be significantly correlated and had the same expression trend as predicted in validation analysis of overall survival (OS) analysis, expression levels, immune infiltration analysis and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. These 5 hub genes can now be exploited in developing novel therapeutic interventions and as diagnostic biomarkers for enhancing the clinical outcomes of MBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirstie Wong Chee Ching
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
| | - Noor Fatmawati Mokhtar
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Main Campus, 11800, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
| | - Gee Jun Tye
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
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Li Y, Xue M, Dai Y, Xie Y, Wei Y, Wang C, Tian M, Fan Y, Jiang N, Xu C, Liu W, Meng Y, Zhou Y. Chinese giant salamander Bcl-w: An inhibitory role in iridovirus-induced mitochondrial apoptosis and virus replication. Virus Res 2023; 335:199196. [PMID: 37597665 PMCID: PMC10445403 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) superfamily molecules play crucial roles in mitochondrial apoptosis induced by Chinese giant salamander iridovirus (GSIV). As an anti-apoptotic molecule in the BCL-2 family, the molecular mechanism of Bcl-w during GSIV infection remains unknown. In this study, we characterized for the first time an amphibian Bcl-w from Chinese giant salamander Andrias davidianus (AdBcl-w), and its function and regulatory mechanism during GSIV infection were investigated. AdBcl-w possesses the conserved structural features of Bcl-w and shares 35-54% sequence identities with other Bcl-w. mRNA expression of AdBcl-w was most abundant in liver and muscle. The AdBcl-w mRNA expression was regulated during GSIV infection. Western blotting assays revealed that the level of Bcl-w protein was downregulated markedly as the infection progresses. Confocal microscopy showed that overexpressed AdBcl-w was translocated to the mitochondria after infection with GSIV. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that compared with control, the apoptotic progress in cells transfected with AdBcl-w was reduced while that in cells transfected with AdBcl-w siRNA was enhanced. The number of virus major capsid protein gene copies was lower and protein synthesis was reduced in AdBcl-w overexpressing cells. In addition, AdBcl-w could bind directly to the pro-apoptotic molecule AdBak, while this interaction was weakened with GSIV infection. Moreover, p53 level was reduced and the mRNA expression levels of crucial regulatory molecules in the p53 pathway were regulated in AdBcl-w overexpressing cells during GSIV infection. These results suggested that AdBcl-w inhibit GSIV replication by regulating the virus induced mitochondrial apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqun Li
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences 8 Wudayuan First Road, Wuhan 430223, China.
| | - Mingyang Xue
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences 8 Wudayuan First Road, Wuhan 430223, China
| | - Yanlin Dai
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences 8 Wudayuan First Road, Wuhan 430223, China
| | - Yixing Xie
- Zhangjiajie Giant Salamander National Nature Reserve Affairs Center, Zhangjiajie, Hunan 427400, China
| | - Ying Wei
- Zhangjiajie Giant Salamander National Nature Reserve Affairs Center, Zhangjiajie, Hunan 427400, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Zhangjiajie Giant Salamander National Nature Reserve Affairs Center, Zhangjiajie, Hunan 427400, China
| | - Mingzhu Tian
- Zhangjiajie Giant Salamander National Nature Reserve Affairs Center, Zhangjiajie, Hunan 427400, China
| | - Yuding Fan
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences 8 Wudayuan First Road, Wuhan 430223, China
| | - Nan Jiang
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences 8 Wudayuan First Road, Wuhan 430223, China
| | - Chen Xu
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences 8 Wudayuan First Road, Wuhan 430223, China
| | - Wenzhi Liu
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences 8 Wudayuan First Road, Wuhan 430223, China
| | - Yan Meng
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences 8 Wudayuan First Road, Wuhan 430223, China
| | - Yong Zhou
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences 8 Wudayuan First Road, Wuhan 430223, China.
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Douglas AJ, Todd LA, Katzenback BA. The amphibian invitrome: Past, present, and future contributions to our understanding of amphibian immunity. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 142:104644. [PMID: 36708792 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2023.104644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Many amphibian populations are declining worldwide, and infectious diseases are a leading cause. Given the eminent threat infectious diseases pose to amphibian populations, there is a need to understand the host-pathogen-environment interactions that govern amphibian susceptibility to disease and mortality events. However, using animals in research raises an ethical dilemma, which is magnified by the alarming rates at which many amphibian populations are declining. Thus, in vitro study systems such as cell lines represent valuable tools for furthering our understanding of amphibian immune systems. In this review, we curate a list of the amphibian cell lines established to date (the amphibian invitrome), highlight how research using amphibian cell lines has advanced our understanding of the amphibian immune system, anti-ranaviral defence mechanisms, and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis replication in host cells, and offer our perspective on how future use of amphibian cell lines can advance the field of amphibian immunology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Douglas
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Lauren A Todd
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Barbara A Katzenback
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada.
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Zhang M, Chen X, Xue M, Jiang N, Li Y, Fan Y, Zhang P, Liu N, Xiao Z, Zhang Q, Zhou Y. Oral Vaccination of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) against Largemouth Bass Ranavirus (LMBV) Using Yeast Surface Display Technology. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13071183. [PMID: 37048441 PMCID: PMC10093309 DOI: 10.3390/ani13071183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Largemouth bass ranavirus (LMBV) infects largemouth bass, leading to significant mortality and economic losses. There are no safe and effective drugs against this disease. Oral vaccines that directly target the intestinal mucosal immune system play an important role in resisting pathogens. Herein, the B subunit of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin (LTB, a mucosal immune adjuvant) and the LMBV main capsid protein (MCP) were expressed using Saccharomyces cerevisiae surface display technology. The yeast-prepared oral vaccines were named EBY100-OMCP and EBY100-LTB-OMCP. The candidate vaccines could resist the acidic intestinal environment. After 7 days of continuous oral immunization, indicators of innate and adaptive immunity were measured on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42. High activities of immune enzymes (T-SOD, AKP, ACP, and LZM) in serum and intestinal mucus were detected. IgM in the head kidney was significantly upregulated (EBY100-OMCP group: 3.8-fold; BY100-LTB-OMCP group: 4.3-fold). IgT was upregulated in the intestines (EBY100-OMCP group: 5.6-fold; EBY100-LTB-OMCP group: 6.7-fold). Serum neutralizing antibody titers of the two groups reached 1:85. Oral vaccination protected against LMBV infection. The relative percent survival was 52.1% (EBY100-OMCP) and 66.7% (EBY100-LTB-OMCP). Thus, EBY100-OMCP and EBY100-LTB-OMCP are promising and effective candidate vaccines against LMBV infection.
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Zhang J, Dai Y, Fan Y, Jiang N, Zhou Y, Zeng L, Li Y. Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Mannosyltransferase Ⅰ Protects Chinese Giant Salamander, Andrias davidianus, against Iridovirus. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169009. [PMID: 36012277 PMCID: PMC9409044 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycosylphosphatidylinositol mannosyltransferase I (GPI-MT-I) is an essential glycosyltransferase of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchor proteins (GPI-APs) that transfers the first of the four mannoses in GPI-AP precursors, which have multiple functions, including immune response and signal transduction. In this study, the GPI-MT-I gene that regulates GPI-AP biosynthesis in Andrias davidianus (AdGPI-MT-I) was characterized for the first time. The open reading frame (ORF) of AdGPI-MT-I is 1293 bp and encodes a protein of 430 amino acids that contains a conserved PMT2 superfamily domain. AdGPI-MT-I mRNA was widely expressed in the tissues of the Chinese giant salamander. The mRNA expression level of AdGPI-MT-I in the spleen, kidney, and muscle cell line (GSM cells) was significantly upregulated post Chinese giant salamander iridovirus (GSIV) infection. The mRNA expression of the virus major capsid protein (MCP) in AdGPI-MT-I-overexpressed cells was significantly reduced. Moreover, a lower level of virus MCP synthesis and gene copying in AdGPI-MT-I-overexpressed cells was confirmed by western blot and ddPCR. These results collectively suggest that GSIV replication in GSM cells was significantly reduced by the overexpression of the AdGPI-MT-I protein, which may contribute to a better understanding of the antiviral mechanism against iridovirus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Zhang
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Yanlin Dai
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Yuding Fan
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China
| | - Nan Jiang
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China
| | - Yong Zhou
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China
| | - Lingbing Zeng
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
- Correspondence: (L.Z.); (Y.L.); Tel.: +86-027-8178-5190 (L.Z.); +86-027-8178-5182 (Y.L.)
| | - Yiqun Li
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China
- Correspondence: (L.Z.); (Y.L.); Tel.: +86-027-8178-5190 (L.Z.); +86-027-8178-5182 (Y.L.)
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