First evidence of the possible implication of the 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC) in immune activity of Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis, L.): Comparison with cortisol

C. Mathieu, S. Milla, Robert Mandiki, Jessica Douxfils, P. Kestemont, C. Douny, M.-L. Scippo, E. De Pauw

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Abstract

Cortisol, the main corticosteroid in fish, is frequently described as a modulator of fish immune system. Moreover, 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC) was shown to bind and transcriptionally activate the mineralocorticoid receptor and may act as a mineralocorticoid in fish. Immune modulations induced by intraperitoneal injections of these two corticosteroids were assessed in Eurasian perch juveniles. Cortisol and DOC were injected at 0.8mgkg and 0.08mgkg body weight respectively. Cortisol increased plasma lysozyme activity 72h post-injection, C-type lysozyme expression in spleen from 1 to 72h post-injection, and favoured blood neutrophils at the expense of a mixture of lymphocytes and thrombocytes. Moreover, 6h after injection, cortisol reduced expression levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α in spleen. DOC had no effects on the immune variables measured in plasma, but increased expression levels of C-type lysozyme and apolipoprotein A1 mRNA in both gills and spleen. Meanwhile, DOC stimulated its putative signalling pathway by increasing expression of mineralocorticoid receptor and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-2 in spleen. These results confirmed the role of cortisol as an innate, short term immune stimulator. For the first time, DOC is described as a possible immune stimulator in fish.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)149-158
Number of pages10
JournalComparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A: Molecular & integrative physiology
Volume165
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2013

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