Matrix metalloproteinase 9 modulates immune response along with the formation of extracellular traps in flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

Heng Chi; Zhixiao Dong; Qiujie Gan; Xiaoqian Tang; Jing Xing; Xiuzhen Sheng; Wenbin Zhan

doi:10.1016/j.fsi.2023.108570

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 modulates immune response along with the formation of extracellular traps in flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

Fish Shellfish Immunol. 2023 Feb:133:108570. doi: 10.1016/j.fsi.2023.108570. Epub 2023 Jan 28.

Authors

Heng Chi¹, Zhixiao Dong², Qiujie Gan², Xiaoqian Tang¹, Jing Xing¹, Xiuzhen Sheng¹, Wenbin Zhan³

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.
² Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.
³ Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China. Electronic address: wbzhan@ouc.edu.cn.

PMID: 36717064
DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2023.108570

Abstract

MMP-9 belongs to the Matrix Metalloprotease family, which is mainly involved in the protein hydrolysis process of extracellular matrix and plays important roles in many biological processes, such as embryogenesis, tissue remodeling, angiogenesis, inflammatory processes and wound healing. In this study, we described the sequence characteristics of the MMP-9 gene in flounder (PoMMP-9). PoMMP-9 was highly homologous to MMP-9 from turbot, medaka, and Fugu rubripes. The mRNA of PoMMP-9 was constitutively expressed in all tested tissues of healthy flounder with the highest expression levels in the head kidney and spleen. A time-dependent expression pattern of PoMMP-9 in the head kidney and spleen was found after the bacterial and virus challenge. This indicates that PoMMP-9 is inducible and involved in immune responses. Indirect immunofluorescence assay showed that the PoMMP-9 was co-localization in the extracellular traps (ETs) released by the leukocytes. After overexpression, PoMMP-9 can recruit more inflammatory cells and play a broad immune process from pathogen elimination to wound healing at the inflammatory site through ETs. In summary, this study provided new insights into the biological function of MMP-9 in teleost.

Keywords: Extracellular traps; Fish; Immune response; Matrix metalloproteinase 9.

MeSH terms

Animals
Edwardsiella tarda / physiology
Extracellular Traps*
Fish Diseases
Fish Proteins
Flounder*
Gene Expression Regulation
Immunity, Innate / genetics
Matrix Metalloproteinase 9* / genetics
Matrix Metalloproteinase 9* / metabolism
Phylogeny

Substances

Fish Proteins
Matrix Metalloproteinase 9