Yellow mealworm (Tenebrio Molitor) enhances intestinal immunity in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) via the NFκB/survivin signaling pathway

Chunyu Ge; Xiaofang Liang; Xiaoliang Wu; Jie Wang; Hao Wang; Yuchang Qin; Min Xue

doi:10.1016/j.fsi.2023.108736

Yellow mealworm (Tenebrio Molitor) enhances intestinal immunity in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) via the NFκB/survivin signaling pathway

Fish Shellfish Immunol. 2023 May:136:108736. doi: 10.1016/j.fsi.2023.108736. Epub 2023 Apr 11.

Authors

Chunyu Ge¹, Xiaofang Liang², Xiaoliang Wu², Jie Wang², Hao Wang², Yuchang Qin³, Min Xue⁴

Affiliations

¹ National Aquafeed Safety Assessment Center, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China; Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Beijing, China.
² National Aquafeed Safety Assessment Center, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.
³ Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Beijing, China.
⁴ National Aquafeed Safety Assessment Center, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China. Electronic address: xuemin@caas.cn.

PMID: 37054764
DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2023.108736

Abstract

This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio Molitor, YM) in intestinal immunity and health. Largemouth bass, as an enteritis modeling animal, were fed 3 diets containing YM at 0% (YM0), 24% (YM24) and 48% (YM48). The YM24 group had reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines, while the YM48 group experienced a negative impact on intestinal health. Next, the Edwardsiella tarda (E. tarda) challenge test consisted of 4 YM diets, 0% (EYM0), 12% (EYM12), 24% (EYM24), and 36% (EYM36). The EYM0 and EYM12 groups exhibited intestinal damage and immunosuppression by the pathogenic bacteria. However, the above adverse phenotypes were attenuated in the EYM24 and EYM36 groups. Mechanistically, the EYM24 and EYM36 groups enhanced intestinal immunity in largemouth bass via activating NFκBp65 and further upregulating survivin expression to inhibit apoptosis. The results identify a protective mechanism of YM as a novel food or feed source by improving intestinal health.

Keywords: Intestinal immunity; Largemouth bass; NFκBp65; Survivin; Yellow mealworm.

MeSH terms

Animals
Bass* / genetics
Diet / veterinary
Signal Transduction
Survivin
Tenebrio*

Substances

Survivin