Targeting Innate Immune System and Microbial Community to Control Disease in Aquaculture

The aquatic environment is a three-dimensional space where animals and microbes are in continuous interaction with each other. Host-microbe interaction is highly dynamic and pathogenic microbial communities can affect the host at all stages of pathogenic infection, from invasion to dissemination. Upon infection, innate immune cells trigger sophisticated intracellular signaling pathways via various innate immune receptors, which results in the production of multiple effector molecules, (e.g. cytokines, chemokines, and antimicrobial proteins), to combat invading pathogens and parasites. In addition, innate immune cells can activate MHC through macrophages and dendritic cells which are the principal antigen-presenting cells. This pathway results in the activation of the adaptive immune system through the activation of T-cells. More recently, more attention has been given to the development of products that can modulate the innate immune system in absence of pathogens in order to prime the host against possible environmental threats. In this regard, new genomic approaches along with the traditional methods for monitoring fish diseases can assist in the development of strategies to control disease in aquaculture.

This topic aims to provide a deeper insight into understanding host-pathogen interactions and new techniques of disease prevention, along with sustainable aquaculture.

We invite researchers to submit their works in the following scopes in aquaculture. The contributions could be in the form of original research, review articles, short reports, and case studies.

• Pathogenic mechanisms and virulence factors of infectious agents
• The processes involved with the host immune response to pathogens
• Innovative strategies to boost host's immune system to overcome diseases
• Efficient preventive measures as a One Health approach