Abstract
Aquaculture production of crustaceans (mainly shrimp and crabs) has expanded globally, but disease outbreaks and pathogenic infections have hampered production in the last two decades. As invertebrates, crustaceans lack an adaptive immune system and mainly defend and protect themselves using their innate immune system. The immune system derives energy and metabolites from nutrients, with amino acids constituting one such source. A growing number of studies have shown that amino acids and their metabolites are involved in the activation, synthesis, proliferation, and differentiation of immune cells, as well as in the activation of immune related signaling pathways, reduction of inflammatory response and regulation of oxidative stress. Key enzymes in amino acid metabolism have also been implicated in the regulation of the immune system. Here, we reviewed the role played by amino acids and their metabolites in immune-modulation in crustaceans. Information is inferred from mammals and fish where none exists for crustaceans. Research themes are identified and the relevant research gaps highlighted for further studies.
Highlights
Crustaceans constitute an important part of the marine ecosystem, with shrimp and crabs forming a large proportion of aquatic food destined for human consumption
Amino acid metabolism is essential for maintaining normal growth and for generating metabolites important for physiological and pathophysiological processes in the body
While some amino acids including cysteine, alanine, glutamine, etc., have been shown to directly affect the activation, proliferation, and differentiation of immune cells [88, 198, 214], key enzymes involved in amino acid metabolism have been implicated as key regulators of the immune system [12, 208]
Summary
Crustaceans constitute an important part of the marine ecosystem, with shrimp and crabs forming a large proportion of aquatic food destined for human consumption. Few studies have explored the role of amino acids metabolism (metabolites) in crustacean immunity, an increasing number of studies have reported that the metabolism and/or metabolites of Arg, Trp, lysine (Lys), methionine and cysteine play key important roles in immune response in crustaceans, as in other marine species (Table 1).
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