title: Novel function of recombinant pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide as stimulator of innate immunity in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fry.
abstract: There are several studies that clearly indicate a close bidirectional communication between the neuroendocrine and immune systems. In this sense, hypothalamic releasing hormones, besides their neuroendocrine role, have been shown to influence immune functions. Despite studies developed in mammals, there is, as yet, no information available about the role of the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and PACAP-related peptide (PRP) in the fish innate immune system. The present study has evaluated the effect of PACAP and PRP administered by bath immersion, on important parameters of innate immunity and antioxidant defenses in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fry. We have shown, for the first time, that administration of recombinant C. gariepinus PACAP not only promotes growth but also increases lysozyme, nitric oxide synthase-derived metabolites and antioxidant defenses in treated fry. From our results, PACAP appears to act as a regulator of the teleostean immune system, in addition to its physiological role in controlling growth of fish.
authors.affiliation: Aquatic Biotechnology Department, Animal Biotechnology Division, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, PO Box 6162, Havana, 10 600, Cuba.
authors.forename: Yamila
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Carpio
authors.forename: Juana María
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lugo
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: León
authors.forename: Reynold
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.forename: Mario Pablo
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Estrada
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D002397:Catfishes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects*; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione