Journal Article

Characterization and Immune Functions of LcβLectin from Large Yellow Croaker (Larimichthys crocea): A Potential Antiviral Defense Molecule

Wu, Hongling, Han, Fang, Zou, Wenzheng, Zhang, Jiawei, Yang, Yao, Huang, Ying, Yekefenhazi, Dinaer

2025

Overview

Large yellow croaker iridovirus (LYCIV) poses a significant threat to the large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) aquaculture industry due to its rapid transmission and high lethality. Galectins, as evolutionarily conserved carbohydrate-binding lectins and pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) in the innate immune system, play crucial roles in immune responses. In this study, we characterized the beta-galactoside-binding lectin from large yellow croaker (LcβLectin) and explored its potential as a disease resistance gene against LYCIV. The full-length cDNA of LcβLectin was cloned and found to contain conserved elements, such as β-galactoside-binding motifs, HNPR, and WCEEHR domains. Using L. crocea head-kidney macrophages (LCM10), we demonstrated that recombinant LcβLectin significantly inhibits LYCIV-induced cytopathic effects and reduces macrophage apoptosis, highlighting its key role in viral defense. Moreover, the overexpression of LcβLectin in LCM10 cells followed by transcriptomic analysis revealed its substantial regulatory effects on key immune-related signaling pathways, including C-type lectin signaling, p53 signaling, and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways. Collectively, our findings suggest that LcβLectin enhances fish resistance to viral diseases by augmenting immune system function and activating immune-related pathways, providing valuable insights into the innate immune mechanisms of aquatic species and potential strategies for disease prevention in aquaculture.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: Amino Acid Sequence / Animals / Antiviral agents / Aquaculture / Aquaculture industry / Carbohydrates / Defense mechanisms / DNA Virus Infections - immunology / DNA Virus Infections - veterinary / Fish Diseases - genetics / Fish Diseases - immunology / Fish Diseases - virology / Fish Proteins - genetics / Fish Proteins - immunology / Fish Proteins - metabolism / Fishes / Flow cytometry / Genes / Immune response / Immune system / Immunity, Innate / Infections / Iridovirus - immunology / Lectins / Leukocytes / Macrophages / Macrophages - immunology / Macrophages - metabolism / Macrophages - virology / Molecules / Pathogens / Pattern recognition / Perciformes - genetics / Perciformes - immunology / Perciformes - virology / Phosphorylation / Phylogeny / Proteins / Signal Transduction / Spleen / Tumor proteins / Virus diseases