Abstract
Fishes are the phylogenetically oldest vertebrate group, which includes more than one-half of the vertebrates on the planet; additionally, many species have ecological and economic importance. Fish are the first evolved group of organisms with adaptive immune mechanisms; consequently, they are an important link in the evolution of the immune system, thus a potential model for understanding the mechanisms of immunoregulation. Currently, the influence of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) on the cells of the immune system is widely studied in mammalian models, which have provided evidence on ACh production by immune cells (the noncholinergic neuronal system); however, these neuroimmunomodulation mechanisms in fish and lower vertebrates are poorly studied. Therefore, the objective of this review paper was to analyze the influence of the cholinergic system on the immune response of teleost fish, which could provide information concerning the possibility of bidirectional communication between the nervous and immune systems in these organisms and provide data for a better understanding of basic issues in neuroimmunology in lower vertebrates, such as bony fishes. Thus, the use of fish as a model in biomedical research may contribute to a better understanding of human diseases and diseases in other animals.
Highlights
Fishes are the phylogenetically oldest vertebrate group, which includes more than one-half of the vertebrates on the planet; many species have ecological and economic importance
The objective of this review paper was to analyze the influence of the cholinergic system on the immune response of teleost fish, which could provide information concerning the possibility of bidirectional communication between the nervous and immune systems in these organisms and provide data for a better understanding of basic issues in neuroimmunology in lower vertebrates, such as bony fishes
Adaptative Antibodies: IgM IgD IgT/IgZ B-lymphocytes T-lymphocytes the thymus, this is a bilobed organ localized in the opercular cavity; it is the major site for T-cell development in fish, as well as in mammals, and presents an involution, except that this phenomenon is greatly influenced by hormonal cycles and environmental changes in the latter [9]
Summary
Fishes are the phylogenetically oldest vertebrate group and appeared >560 million years ago. The spleen is the main secondary lymphoid organ in fish and presents a significant number of (IgM+ B) lymphocytes, in addition to participating in the induction of adaptive immune responses, and is important for the elimination of immune complexes [4]. The cells of the innate immune response mainly characterized in fishes are the macrophages, neutrophils, and eosinophils [16]. The immune system of teleost fishes is regulated by neuroendocrine interactions, primarily through the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) axis, because the pronephros, in addition to their roles as lymphoid organs, has important endocrine functions. (HPT) and the brain intercommunication-pituitary-gonadal axes on the immune response in teleost fish [31]
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