Cytokine expression in the intestine of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) during infection with Aeromonas salmonicida

Gene expression of a number of cytokines in the intestine of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was investigated after challenge with a pathogenic strain of Aeromonas salmonicida. Fish were exposed to A. salmonicida by immersion in a bacterial suspension (bath challenge) and tissue samples of the distal and proximal intestine were collected at days 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 post-exposure. Head kidney tissue was also collected to assess the effect in a systemic immune tissue. A classic profile of pro-inflammatory cytokine upregulation was observed in the proximal intestine of fish infected by bath challenge, as determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Expression of IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α and IFN-γ was increased in the proximal intestine. TGF-β was significantly decreased in the distal intestine. In the head kidney, infection with A. salmonicida by bath challenge caused decreased expression levels of IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α and TGF-β. The results are discussed in the context of potential immune mechanisms in the gut to prevent infection.