Characterization of memory T cells generated by mucosal vaccinations in teleost fish.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H03075
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 40040:Aquatic life science-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Somamoto Tomonori 九州大学, 農学研究院, 准教授 (40403993)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 粘膜免疫 / ギンブナ / γδ型T細胞 / αβ型T細胞 / ウイルス / B細胞 / ワクチン / 抗体産生応答

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The present study demonstrated that adaptive immune responses of T- and B-cells induced by direct antigen administration to mucosal lymphoid tissues such as gills, skin, intestine, and nasal cavity of teleost fish. The anal intubation method, in which antigen was administered directly to the intestine, can confer strongest antigen-specific antibody responses more rapidly and for a longer period of time than the injection method, which the main method of vaccine administration in cultured fish. In addition, CD8- and CD4-positive T cells are more abundant in the mucosal tissues of fish than cells of the innate immune system, such as granulocytes and macrophages, suggesting that T cells play an important role in mucosal tissue where are the site for pathogen invasion.

Free Research Field

魚類免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

水産養殖において感染症による被害は甚大であり、ワクチンは最も効果的な感染症予防法だと考えられている。本研究では、魚の免疫機構の特徴を活かしたワクチンの開発を目的に粘膜組織への抗原投与による獲得免疫誘導機構を調査した。その結果、腸管に直接抗原する経肛門挿管法は、養殖魚の主なワクチン投与法である注射法よりも、強力な獲得免疫を誘導することが可能であることを明らかにした。この成果は、今後、魚類の腸管免疫の活性化に着目した粘膜ワクチンの開発に貢献するものと期待される。