Immune competence in White Pacific shrimp studied

MUÑOZ CITY, Nueva Ecija, Philippines – Researchers of the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) have looked into the immune defense and genes that control immune competence of White Pacific shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). 

Considered as the most widely cultured shrimp species in the world, White Pacific shrimp like any other shrimp in the penaeid family is however susceptible to bacterial and viral diseases.

One such disease is the White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), the most devastating viral disease affecting shrimp worldwide.            

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the then Philippine Council for Aquatic Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD) funded and coordinated the study respectively.

Researchers Yasser C. Cabansag, Jonathan V. Lazaro, Apolinario V. Yambot, and  Sheryll  G. Hipolito from CLSU’s  College of Veterinary Science  and Medicine  and Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory of the College of Fisheries conducted the study.           

The researchers explained that shrimp’s immune system depends entirely in its innate immunity. The lectins in shrimps, on the other hand, are involved in their innate immune responses.

Recognizing the antimicrobial properties of C-type lectin, the researchers determined its gene expression in samples of Pacific White shrimps which are infected and uninfected by Pacific White shrimp.

The researchers observed a significant 11.6 fold increase of C-type lectin gene in WSSV infected shrimp compared with 0.33 gene expression fold of WSSV in uninfected shrimps.

The researchers explained that the quantity of gene reflects the increase in the amount of lectin secreted which, in turn, increases the immunity of the shrimp to resist the infection against WSSV.

The study, therefore, shows that C-type lectin can be considered as an immune gene against WSSV infection in shrimp. It also shows the importance of early detection of WSSV in avoiding economic loss.