Channel Catfish Skin Research Articles

Microbiota of laboratory channel catfish skin mucosa and aquaria water exposed to chloramine-T trihydrate.

Here, we describe the skin mucosa microbiome of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) before and after exposure to chloramine-T trihydrate. We also describe the aquaria water microbiome after the post-treatment period. These data provide a unique baseline description of skin mucosa and aquaria water microbiome from catfish reared in research aquaria.

Expression of Ietalurus punetaus β-defensin based on recombinant Pichia pastoris

β-defensin is a primary protein immune factor in channel catfish's (Ietalurus punetaus) resistance to pathogenic microorganisms. Its primary structure contains a signal peptide composed of 24 amino acid residues at the N-terminal and a mature peptide composed of 43 amino acid residues at the C-terminal. The mature peptide region is responsible for the biological activity of β-defensin. In the present study, a recombinant strain of Pichia pastoris that produces channel catfish β-defensin, was constructed to realize the biosynthesis of channel catfish β-defensin based on eukaryotic expression. First, the β-defensin gene "IPBD" was isolated from the skin of channel catfish by RT-PCR. After linking it with the expression vector pPICZA, pPICZA-IPBD was transferred into competent P. pastoris X-33 cells to obtain recombinant P. pastoris strains. The yeast transformants with multi-copy gene inserts were obtained by using the culture medium containing 1 000 μg/mL zeocin. Using BMM culture medium (without amino nitrogen culture medium) instead of BMMY culture medium (with amino nitrogen culture medium), the fermentation and culture conditions of the recombinant strain were optimized, and the optimal conditions for producing channel catfish β-defensin were determined as follows: the expression was induced for 96 h with 1.0% methanol at 28 °C , 250 r/min. Purified protein with molecular weight of 5.98 kDa was obtained by nickel affinity chromatography, and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry proved that it was the expected recombinant IPBD. The antibacterial test results showed that the inhibitory rates of recombinant IPBD on Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa were 69.6%, 71.6% and 65.8%, respectively. This study provides a recombinant DNA technique for the development of small molecule natural antibacterial peptide from fish.

Isolation and characterization of collagen extracted from channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) skin

Channel catfish skin is a by-product from catfish fillet production. Collagens were extracted from catfish skins by: (1) acid; (2) homogenization-aided; and (3) pepsin-aided extraction methods. Kinetic analysis of extraction was performed. SDS-PAGE was carried out for all collagens extracted under different conditions. Protein solubility, zeta potential, circular dichroism and gel strength of the collagen extracted by three methods were studied to determine optimal extraction conditions. Protein recovery rate from minced skins extracted with pH 2.4 HCl containing 23.6KU/g pepsin was the highest (64.19%). SDS-PAGE showed that collagens extracted with different methods had different proteins ratio patterns, even though the molecular mass of collagen subunits were similar, 123 and 113KDa for α1 and α2 chains, 226KDa for β chain and 338.5KDa for γ chain, respectively. Channel catfish skin collagens were typical type I collagens and could have applications in food, medical and cosmetic industries.

The functional properties and application of gelatin derived from the skin of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

The objective of this work was to extract gelatin from skin of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and to study its functional properties and application in ice-cream and beer. SDS-PAGE patterns showed that channel catfish gelatin (CCG) had more high molecular weight components (β and γ chains) than had calf bone gelatin (CBG). The viscosity of CCG was 42mPa.s at 10°C, which was three times more than that of CBG. Compared to CBG, CCG presented higher emulsion capacity and stability, as well as higher foaming stability. CCG conferred the ice-cream samples and beer with better mouth feel and clarification effect, respectively. The results indicated that CCG had great potential to be utilized in the food industry.

Expression of immune genes in skin of channel catfish immunized with live theronts of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis.

The objective of this study was to evaluate differential expression of innate and adaptive immune genes, including immunoglobulin, immune cell receptor, cytokine, inflammatory protein, toll-like receptors (TLR) and recombination-activating gene (RAG) in skin from channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus after immunization with live theronts of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich) by intraperitoneal injection. The immunized catfish showed significantly higher survival rate (95%) than those of mock-immunized control fish (0% survival) after the theront challenge. The gene expression of innate immune system, such as cytokines (IL-1β type a, IL-1β type b, IFN-γ, TGF1-β and TNF-α) and inflammatory proteins (NF-kB and iNOS 2), showed significant upregulation at day 1 (D1) post-immunization. Expression of TLR genes exhibited a rapid increase from hour 4 (h4) to D10 post-immunization. Genes of the adaptive response, such as the cell receptor MHC I, CD8+ , CD4+ and TCR-α, showed upregulation at D1, D6 and D10. The TCR-β expression increased rapidly at h4 and remained upregulated until D10. Immunoglobulin IgM upregulation was detected from h4 until D2 while IgD expression was increased from D1 until D10. Rapid upregulation of innate and adaptive immune genes in skin of catfish following live theront vaccination was demonstrated in this study ultimately resulting in significant protection against Ich infection.

Expression profiling analysis of immune-related genes in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) skin mucus following Flavobacterium columnare challenge.

Fish are covered by a watery gel-mucus, mainly secreted by the goblet cells, serving as the physical and biochemical barrier between the external environment and the interior milieu, playing more important roles in fish that without scale. Despite the important roles of mucus in fish immunity, the knowledge of detailed molecular events happened during infection process is still limited. While most studies were focused on characterizing the protein and enzyme activities in the mucus following challenge, no studies have examined the gene expression profiles in fish mucus. In this regard, herein we carried out the first gene profiling analysis in catfish mucus using real-time PCR. Ten important immune-related genes were selected according to our previous studies. Their expression levels were examined in the early timepoints (namely, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, and 24 h) following Flavobacterium columnare challenge. Notably, expression levels of most of the selected genes were rapidly altered by the challenge. Seven genes were down-regulated, while only three genes were up-regulated. In addition, the gene expression patterns in mucus were very different from the mucosal surfaces (skin, gill and intestine) and the classical immune organs (liver, spleen and kidney). The unique expression patterns obtained here may be resulted from the great advantage of the large amount of attached bacteria in the mucus than the internal tissues, and resulted from the bacteria virulent actors to suppress the host immune response. Taken together, our results can expand our knowledge of fish mucosal immunity, and the un-lethal mucus sampling can provide early insight for developing the strategies for selection of disease resistant families and strains in catfish as well as other fish species.

Evasion of mucosal defenses during Aeromonas hydrophila infection of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) skin

The mucosal surfaces of fish serve as the first line of defense against the myriad of aquatic pathogens present in the aquatic environment. The immune repertoire functioning at these interfaces is still poorly understood. The skin, in particular, must process signals from several fronts, sensing and integrating environmental, nutritional, social, and health cues. Pathogen invasion can disrupt this delicate homeostasis with profound impacts on signaling throughout the organism. Here, we investigated the transcriptional effects of virulent Aeromonas hydrophila infection in channel catfish skin, Ictalurus punctatus. We utilized a new 8×60K Agilent microarray for catfish to examine gene expression profiles at critical early timepoints following challenge—2h, 8h, and 12h. Expression of a total of 2,168 unique genes was significantly perturbed during at least one timepoint. We observed dysregulation of genes involved in antioxidant, cytoskeletal, immune, junctional, and nervous system pathways. In particular, A. hydrophila infection rapidly altered a number of potentially critical lectins, chemokines, interleukins, and other mucosal factors in a manner predicted to enhance its ability to adhere to and invade the catfish host.

The effect of adjuvant and microbial challenge on the expression of antimicrobial polypeptides in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

While antimicrobial polypeptides (AMPPs) are increasingly recognized as one of the most important components of innate immunity, there is very little information in vertebrates that documents their upregulation to levels that are microbicidal in vivo. Here we demonstrate that intraperitoneal injection of either Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA) or live Tetrahymena pyriformis (a parasitic ciliate) upregulated AMPP expression in channel catfish skin. FCA induced significant upregulation of total antibacterial activity, anti-Edwardsiella ictaluri activity (the fraction of antibacterial activity active against E. ictaluri), and HLP-1 (the major AMPP in channel catfish skin). Tetrahymena induced a similar upregulation, except that HLP-1 was not significantly induced and the response appeared to be more transient than FCA immunostimulation. AMPP levels were increased up to five-fold higher than resting levels and levels expressed were well within concentrations known to be inhibitory to many important pathogens in vitro. These results provide encouragement that AMPP upregulation may be a promising tool in aquaculture for enhancing the resistance of fish to disease.

Modification of fish skin collagen film and absorption property of tannic acid.

Fish collagen is a biomacromolecule material and is usually used as a clarifying agent. However, fish collagen is not recyclable, and sedimentation usually occurs in the clarification process using fish collagen so that the filtration process is inevitable. This work aimed to provide a recyclable modified fish skin collagen film (MFCF) for adsorption of tannic acids. The collagen from channel catfish skin was extracted and used for preparation of the fish skin collagen film (FCF) and MFCF. The result indicated that the mechanical properties of MFCF were improved by addition of 2ml/L glycerol, 6ml/L polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and 2ml/L glutaraldehyde in 15g/L collagen solution. As the most important property of adsorption material, the hydroscopicity of MFCF was only 54%, significantly lower than that of FCF (295%). Therefore, MFCF would not collapse in water. The infrared and thermal properties of MFCF were also investigated in this work. Results indicated that, in comparison to FCF, the physical and chemical properties of MFCF had been improved significantly. MFCF had higher shrink temperature (79.3°C) and it did not collapse in distilled water at normal temperature. Furthermore, absorption and desorption properties of tannic acid were studied. MFCF showed good capability of absorption and desorption of tannic acid, which leaded to the suggestion that MFCF could have potential applications in adsorption material.

Scanning Electron Microscopy of “Saddleback” Lesions Associated with Experimental Infections of Flavobacterium columnare in Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae), and Zebrafish, Danio rerio (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

Laboratory‐reared, specific pathogen‐free fingerling channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, and adult zebrafish, Danio rerio, were each separately exposed by immersion challenge to the etiological agent of “columnaris disease,”Flavobacterium columnare (Japanese Collection of Microorganisms 21327 strain). At 24‐h post‐immersion, fish exhibiting a “saddleback” lesion were fixed whole in 10% neutral buffered formalin. Skin samples approximately 5 mm2 were excised from both the margin and center of each saddleback lesion as well as from corresponding sites in control, non‐challenged, fish before being prepared routinely for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Skin samples from control channel catfish and zebrafish had uniform, contiguous epidermal cells with continuous or closely apposed cell margins and well‐defined microridges. Channel catfish skin lesion samples had margins typified by epidermal sloughing and lesion centers that exhibited a multitude of rod‐shaped bacterial cells, approximately 3–10 µm long × 0.3–0.5 µm wide, intermingled with cellular debris across a surface characterized by denuded, strongly ridged, or folded dermal connective tissue. Zebrafish skin lesion samples had a multitude of rod‐shaped bacterial cells and exhibited comparable ultrastructural changes but some lacked scales. These findings are the first published SEM observations of columnaris disease and saddleback lesions in channel catfish and zebrafish and thereby advance our understanding of the ultrastructural characteristics of acute‐stage saddleback lesions and columnaris disease pathogenesis.

Importance of skin abrasion as a primary site of adhesion for Edwardsiella ictaluri and impact on invasion and systematic infection in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus

The route of entry of Edwardsiella ictaluri into its catfish host has been a subject of investigation since the pathogen was first discovered. There is evidence to support entry through the intestinal tract, the nares, and the gills. Here, we evaluated the role of skin abrasion through a series of experimental challenges using bioluminescent E. ictaluri carrying the plasmid pAKLux1. Our results show that E. ictaluri is able to colonize abrasion sites on catfish skin and that catfish with abrasions developed systematic infection faster. We also found that abrasions are associated with significantly increased mortalities following experimental immersion exposure. Finally, a protocol was developed during this study that allowed for immunohistochemical examination of the tissue layers underneath the abrasion sites, confirming the presence of E. ictaluri in subdermal tissues from abrasion sites. This study constitutes the first report on the role of channel catfish skin as a portal of entry for E. ictaluri and further illustrates how versatile this pathogen can be in its mechanisms of entry.

Most‐Cited Papers from 2007

Annually we recognize the papers published in IFT's peer-reviewed journals that have been most cited or downloaded in the two years previous to the last full publishing year. Each of the authors receives special recognition and a certificate of achievement at the Reviewers’ Reception at IFT's Annual Meeting and Food Expo. Congratulations to all the authors. As a sign of increased quality of the papers, for 2007, 212 out of 302 papers were cited at least once, and the 29 citations for the most cited paper of 2007 is 40% more than the most cited paper of 2006. No HK, Meyers SP, Prinyawiwatkul W, Xu Z. Applications of Chitosan for Improvement of Quality and Shelf Life of Foods: A Review. J Food Sci 72(5):R87–100. June/July 2007. Cited 29 times. Xu BJ, Chang SKC. A Comparative Study on Phenolic Profiles and Antioxidant Activities of Legumes as Affected by Extraction Solvents. J Food Sci 72(2):S159–166. March 2007. Cited 26 times. Yang HS, Wang YF, Jiang MK, Oh JH, Herring J, Zhou P. 2-Step Optimization of the Extraction and Subsequent Physical Properties of Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) Skin Gelatin. J Food Sci 72(4):C188–195. May 2007. Cited 13 times. Osaili TM, Shaker RR, Abu Al-Hasan AS, Ayyash MM, Martin EM. Inactivation of Enterobacter sakazakii in Infant Milk Formula by Gamma Irradiation: Determination of D-10-Value. J Food Sci 72(3):M85–88. April 2007. Cited 9 times. Goddard JM, Talbert JN, Hotchkiss JH. Covalent Attachment of Lactase to Low-Density Polyethylene Films. J Food Sci 72(1):E36–41. January/February 2007. Cited 9 times. We also recognize the authors of the most cited or downloaded papers in the two e-journals, JFSE and CRFSFS. For CRFSFS, all 18 papers published in 2007 have received at least one citation. Here is the most cited paper from 2007. Sajilata MG, Savitha K, Singhal RS, and Kanetkar VR. Scalping of Flavors in Packaged Foods. Comp Rev Food Sci Food Saf 6(1):17–35. January 2007. Cited 12 times. JFSE is not included in a citation index but we do have the number of downloads for each paper. To date the most downloaded item with 290 PDF downloads is the IFT and Discovery Education “Teacher's Resource Guide” that was published as an Addendum to the first issue of 2007. The second most downloaded item is an article from July 2007 ( J Food Sci Ed 6(3):46–55), “Development and Implementation of a Food Safety Knowledge Instrument” by Carol Byrd-Bredbenner, Virginia Wheatley, Donald Schaffner, Christine Bruhn, Lydia Blalock, and Jaclyn Maurer. This original article has been downloaded 218 times and the article abstract has been viewed 280 times since publication. In this diamond year celebration of the Journal of Food Science, thank you authors, Scientific Editors, Associate Editors, reviewers, and especially Amanda Ferguson for continuing to make IFT's peer-reviewed journals outstanding in quality.

Flavobacterium columnarechemotaxis to channel catfish mucus

Flavobacterium columnare is a Gram-negative pathogen of many species of wild and cultured fish. Isolates from diseased channel catfish belong to either genomovar I or II. Genomovar II isolates were found to be more virulent than genomovar I isolates. The objective of the present study was to determine whether differences exist in the chemotactic response of these genomovars to mucus obtained from the skin, gills and intestines of healthy channel catfish using the capillary chemotaxis assay. Mucus from the skin and gill induced a greater chemotactic response by F. columnare than mucus from the intestine. Sixty percent of mucus from the skin of individual catfish yielded a positive chemotactic response from F. columnare. Finally, skin mucus induced a greater chemotactic response in genomovar II F. columnare than in genomovar I F. columnare isolates. The data indicate that mucus from channel catfish results in a chemotactic response by F. columnare. This positive chemotactic response may be an important first step for F. columnare colonization of channel catfish skin or gills. Although the role that chemotaxis plays in the virulence of F. columnare is not fully defined, the chemotactic response of genomovar ll isolates suggests that chemotaxis is associated with virulence.

Cutaneous antibody-secreting cells and B cells in a teleost fish

Antibodies in cutaneous mucus and skin of teleosts play a critical role in the protective immune response against infection. We demonstrate by ELISPOT that antibody-secreting cells (ASC), which include LPS-inducible B cells (plasmablasts) and non-replicating plasma cells, reside in low numbers in the skin of channel catfish. Following immunization against the protozoan parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, which infects skin and gills, the number of ASC in skin increased 20-fold, indicating that the number of ASC in skin is dynamic and increases in response to parasite infection. The number of ASC in skin remained elevated for at least 17 weeks after the last parasite exposure. Cutaneous ASC included I. multifiliis-specific ASC, which undoubtedly serve as the primary source of cutaneous antibodies that confer long-term humoral immunity against reinfection. Our demonstration that skin contains B cells and plasma cells suggests that it is an integral component of the teleost immune system.

Rheological properties of channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctaus) gelatine from fish skins preserved by different methods

Gelatins were extracted from channel catfish skins preserved by different methods using 50 mmol/l acetic acid. Molecular weight distribution, gel strength and viscoelastic properties of gelatin samples were studied. Compared to gelatins from fresh and frozen skins, gelatin from dried channel catfish skin exhibited higher gel strength. This can be explained by the large α-chains content of gelatin from the dried skins. The gelling point and melting point of dried channel catfish skin gelatin solution were similar to those of fresh skin gelatin solution, but distinctly different from those of frozen skin gelatin. After maturation at low temperature, melting points of gelatins increased. But the melting point of frozen skin gelatin was still the highest among the three gelatin samples studied.

2‐Step Optimization of the Extraction and Subsequent Physical Properties of Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) Skin Gelatin

To optimize the extraction of gelatin from channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) skin, a 2-step response surface methodology involving a central composite design was adopted for the extraction process. After screening experiments, concentration of NaOH, alkaline pretreatment time, concentration of acetic acid, and extraction temperature were selected as the independent variables. In the 1st step of the optimization the dependent variables were protein yield (YP), gel strength (GS), and viscosity (V). Seven sets of optimized conditions were selected from the 1st step for the 2nd-step screen. Texture profile analysis and the 3 dependent variables from the 1st step were used as responses in the 2nd-step optimization. After the 2nd-step optimization, the most suitable conditions were 0.20 M NaOH pretreatment for 84 min, followed by a 0.115 M acetic acid extraction at 55 degrees C. The optimal values obtained from these conditions were YP = 19.2%, GS = 252 g, and V = 3.23 cP. The gelatin obtained also showed relatively good hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, and chewiness. The yield of protein and viscosity can be predicted by a quadratic and a linear model, respectively.

Extraction and properties of gelatin from channel catfish ( Ietalurus punetaus) skin

Response surface method was used to determine the optimum operating conditions for extracting the gelatin from channel catfish skin. The optimal conditions for maximum gel strength are 68.8 h for the time of treatment with calcium hydroxide solution, 43.2 °C for the extraction temperature, 5.73 h for the extraction time with hot water. The gelatin from channel catfish skin showed a high gel strength, 276±5 g. Compare to porcine skin gelatin, the gelatin from channel catfish skin has different amino acids composition and a lower thermo-stability.

Interaction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 E318 cells with the mucus of harvested channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus)

Channel catfish skin with or without mucus (0.5 cm in diameter) were immersed into a suspension containing 10 9 CFU/ml of Escherichia coli O157:H7 E318 cells at 22 °C for 20 min. The inhibitory effect of skin mucus was determined by placing the mucus-side down on tryptic soy agar inoculated with 10 4–10 5 CFU of E. coli O157:H7 E318. The inhibition zones of fish mucus had a diameter of approximately 0.7 cm and were only visible for the first 12 h of the incubation. Bacterial cells were observed at 15 μm into the mucus layer under confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). Plate counts and CSLM revealed 0.5- and 1-log less cells, respectively, attached to skin without mucus than to skin with mucus. Results suggest that E. coli O157:H7 E318 could attach to and penetrate through the mucus of channel catfish and may become a source of contamination during catfish processing.

Studies on collagen from the skin of channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctaus)

Acid-soluble and pepsin-soluble collagens (ASC and PSC) were extracted from the skin of channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctaus) and partially characterized . The collagen obtained in the experiment contained more than 23% glycine as the most abundant amino acid. The denaturation temperature of acid-soluble collagen was 32.5 °C, about 5 °C lower than that of the porcine skin collagen. SDS–PAGE showed that the collagens were composed of two distinct alpha chains, which is similar to the porcine type I collagen. The contents of the skin ASC and PSC, on a dry weight basis, were 25.8% and 38.4%, respectively. These results suggest that channel catfish skin has potential as a supplement to the sources of vertebrate collagens.

Cutaneous antibodies in excised skin from channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque, immune to Ichthyophthirius multifiliis

This study determined whether cutaneous antibodies were present in the excised skin of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque, immune to Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Fouquet (Ich). Theronts were immobilized on or near the excised skin from immune fish. The survival of immobilized theronts was significantly reduced after exposure for 8 h to the culture of excised skin from immune fish. Culture fluids from excised skin of immune fish immobilized theronts with a peak in the immobilization titre at 24 h post‐exposure. Immobility of theronts in the culture fluid from immune skin was removed after immunoabsorption with theronts. Indirect immunofluorescent staining of theronts treated with culture fluid from excised skin of immune fish revealed strong and uniform fluorescence on the cilia and cell surface of theronts. Western blot analysis of the culture fluid from immune fish revealed a 70‐kDa band which corresponded to the molecular weight of catfish immunoglobulin heavy chain. The results of this study show that cutaneous antibodies to Ich theronts were present in and released from the excised skin from fish immune to Ich. Immobilization and killing of the theronts are two characteristics of the antibody response that appear to prevent the successful invasion of theronts into excised skin.