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A transcriptomic analysis of the host-pathogen relationship in infectious pancreatic necrosis of Atlantic salmon

Reference	BB/C516460/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Randolph Richards
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor James Bron, Dr William Gareth Starkey
Institution	University of Stirling
Department	Institute of Aquaculture
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	520,154
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/07/2005
End date	31/12/2008
Duration	42 months

Abstract

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) is the most serious viral pathogen affecting the UK salmon farming industry. Losses attributable to IPNV are currently between 5-10 million pounds per annum. Infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is characterised by extensive necrotic lesions in the pancreatic acinar tissue, intestinal epithelium and liver hepatocytes. A proportion of fish surviving infection become persistently infected. In experimental challenge studies Atlantic salmon post-smolts exhibit a window of susceptibility to IPNV-associated mortality between 2-10 weeks after sea-water transfer. The mechanisms by which pathology is induced in IPNV infection, the basis of the susceptibility and resistance to disease associated with different stages in the host life cycle, and the processes involved in the induction and control of persistent infection are unknown. In order to begin to fill this knowledge gap this proposed project will characterise global transcriptional patterns of both host and virus genes occurring throughout the course of IPNV infection of Atlantic salmon that are at sensitive and resistant developmental stages. Experimental IPNV challenges of Atlantic salmon will be performed using a reproducible model developed at the Fisheries Research Services Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen. This model uses a natural target species of IPNV that is infected by co-habitation, mimicking the natural route of infection. Transcriptional profiles of infected fish and controls will be performed using microarray analyses. A salmon EST collection comprising 40000 sequenced clones will be drawn upon to construct microarrays. Selected genes found to be differentially expressed in microarray analysis will be characterised further in selected host tissues by quantitative real-time RT-PCR utilising MGB-probe-based detection. The results of the research programme will assist salmon breeding programmes aimed at increasing disease resistance and will also facilitate the design of vaccines and immunostimulants. Additionally, differentially expressed genes indicative of IPNV infection and IPN probes will be included in the salmon health and performance monitoring chip currently under development with BBSRC funding, and thus provide direct practical and economic benefits to the UK fish farming industry.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Animal Sciences (AS)
Research Topics	Animal Health, Immunology, Microbiology
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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