Immune rhythms in fish modulated by biological clocks

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H03064
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 40030:Aquatic bioproduction science-related
• Research Institution: University of Miyazaki
• Principal Investigator: Kono Tomoya 宮崎大学, 農学部, 准教授 (60527547)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 魚類 / 免疫 / 概日リズム / 時計遺伝子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Expression dynamics of immune molecules in medaka fish were investigated and understood that the expression of inflammatory cytokines and pathogen-recognition receptors has a circadian rhythm. It was also revealed that these rhythms are regulated by a group of clock genes. Furthermore, the expression response of inflammatory cytokines was attenuated in the clock gene knockout medaka compared to immune-stimulated wild type medaka. Subsequently, it was found that infecting wild type medaka with pathogenic bacteria at different durations resulted in significant changes in mortality. Differential expression of immune molecules was observed in kidneys of wild type medaka inoculated with inactivated bacteria at different time points.

Free Research Field

時間免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究によって、魚類の免疫システムには時計遺伝子群によって制御された概日リズムが備わっていること、また、病原細菌感染に対する免疫応答も感染時刻によって異なることが明らかとなった。これらの成果は、魚類免疫学分野に新たな側面をもたらすこととなり、これまで解明されていない免疫現象の理解を可能にする。また、水産増養殖現場の魚病問題解決に寄与するものであり、新たな水産用医薬品の開発や飼養管理技術の向上につながることが期待される。