Theses and Dissertations
Issuing Body
Mississippi State University
Advisor
Petrie-Hanson, Lora
Committee Member
Pruett, Stephen B.
Committee Member
Wan, Xiu-Feng (Henry)
Committee Member
Hanson, Larry
Date of Degree
8-17-2013
Document Type
Dissertation - Open Access
Major
Veterinary Medical Science
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
College
College of Veterinary Medicine
Department
Veterinary Medical Science Program
Abstract
RAG1-/- mutant zebrafish lack T and B lymphocytes. However, when re-exposed to homologous bacteria, these fish mount a response that provides specific protection. To further define this response, we utilized microarray analyses to determine the mechanisms underlying innate immune system memory in zebrafish. We also analyzed interferon (IFN) gamma by qRT-PCR. It is produced by activated NK cells and could indicate if this cell mediates the protective response seen in lymphocyte deficient zebrafish. Pathological studies and in situ hybridizations were performed to observe tissue changes and location of the cells that produced IFN gamma. Following bacterial re-exposure, zebrafish transcripts in cell receptor activation, cell proliferation and cytotoxic function categories were differentially expressed. We found high expression of IFN gamma in the lymphocyte like cell population after bacterial exposure and this was induced to a higher level in fish that had been vaccinated. The phagocytic cell population showed no induction of INF gamma. Over-all, the pathological response was much less severe in the vaccinated (48 hps) fish. Our microarray and pathological findings indicate that the primary immune response of mutant zebrafish is not impaired, and they demonstrate an enhanced innate immune response following secondary bacteria exposure. Following homologous secondary exposure, mutant zebrafish have a cell population that is undergoing upregulated cell receptor activation, cell cytotoxic functions and cell proliferation. This cell population expresses INF gamma. Activated T cells, NK-T cells and NK cells express INF gamma. Since RAG1 deficient zebrafish do not have T or NK-T cells, this cell population is most likely NK cells.
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/11668/20083
Recommended Citation
Krishnavajhala, Aparna, "Transcriptome Response Associated with Protective Immunity in T and B Cell Deficient Zebrafish" (2013). Theses and Dissertations. 4770.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/4770