Caracterización funcional de péptidos antimicrobianos de NK-Lisina de Salmo salar.
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Date
2026
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Publisher
Universidad de Concepción
Abstract
El desarrollo de vacunas eficaces para la acuicultura es crucial para prevenir enfermedades infecciosas y mejorar la salud de los peces. En la salmonicultura, se utilizan comúnmente vacunas inactivadas y de subunidades; sin embargo, su inmunogenicidad suele ser limitada, por lo que requieren adyuvantes para aumentar su eficacia.
En este contexto, se identificaron y caracterizaron variantes adicionales de NK-lisina en Salmo salar, así como su distribución en tejidos inmunes como branquias, bazo y riñón cefálico, donde presentan alta expresión, lo que sugiere un papel relevante en la defensa inmunológica.
Los péptidos derivados de NK-lisina mostraron actividad antimicrobiana contra patógenos relevantes en acuicultura, como Piscirickettsia salmonis y Flavobacterium psychrophilum, además de actividad inmunomoduladora tanto in vitro como in vivo. Estos péptidos regulan la expresión de citoquinas asociadas a respuestas inmunes innata y adaptativa, incluyendo perfiles Th1, Th2 y Th17.
Asimismo, pueden modular respuestas inducidas por patrones moleculares asociados a patógenos (PAMPs), potenciando la expresión de genes antivirales como IFN-γ y Mx frente a poli (I:C), y regulando la respuesta inflamatoria frente a LPS. También se ha observado un aumento en la actividad fagocítica de leucocitos del riñón cefálico, aunque con efectos variables según el péptido evaluado.
Debido a su baja toxicidad relativa y a su capacidad de modular la respuesta inmune, estos péptidos también han sido evaluados como adyuvantes vacunales. En formulaciones con el antígeno VP2 del virus IPNv, los péptidos SsNK127 y SsNK427 incrementaron la producción de IgM y potenciaron respuestas inmunes humorales y celulares, sugiriendo la activación coordinada de respuestas Th1, Th2 y Th17.
En conjunto, estos resultados indican que los péptidos derivados de NK-lisina no solo poseen actividad antimicrobiana directa, sino también un fuerte potencial inmunoestimulante y adyuvante, lo que los posiciona como candidatos prometedores para mejorar vacunas y el control de enfermedades en la acuicultura del salmón.
The development of effective vaccines for aquaculture is crucial to prevent infectious diseases and improve fish health. In salmon farming, inactivated and subunit vaccines are commonly used; however, their immunogenicity is often limited, requiring adjuvants to enhance their efficacy. In this context, additional NK-lysin variants were identified and characterized in Salmo salar, as well as their distribution in immune tissues such as gills, spleen, and head kidney, where they show high expression levels, suggesting an important role in immune defense. NK-lysin-derived peptides showed antimicrobial activity against relevant aquaculture pathogens, such as Piscirickettsia salmonis and Flavobacterium psychrophilum, as well as immunomodulatory activity both in vitro and in vivo. These peptides regulate the expression of cytokines associated with innate and adaptive immune responses, including Th1, Th2, and Th17 profiles. Furthermore, they can modulate responses induced by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), enhancing the expression of antiviral genes such as IFN-γ and Mx in response to poly(I:C), and regulating inflammatory responses to LPS. An increase in the phagocytic activity of head kidney leukocytes has also been observed, although with variable effects depending on the peptide evaluated. Due to their relatively low toxicity and their ability to modulate immune responses, these peptides have also been evaluated as vaccine adjuvants. In formulations containing the VP2 antigen of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNv), the peptides SsNK127 and SsNK427 increased IgM production and enhanced humoral and cellular immune responses, suggesting the coordinated activation of Th1, Th2, and Th17 responses. Overall, these findings indicate that NK-lysin-derived peptides not only possess direct antimicrobial activity but also strong immunostimulatory and adjuvant potential, positioning them as promising candidates to improve vaccines and disease control in salmon aquaculture.
The development of effective vaccines for aquaculture is crucial to prevent infectious diseases and improve fish health. In salmon farming, inactivated and subunit vaccines are commonly used; however, their immunogenicity is often limited, requiring adjuvants to enhance their efficacy. In this context, additional NK-lysin variants were identified and characterized in Salmo salar, as well as their distribution in immune tissues such as gills, spleen, and head kidney, where they show high expression levels, suggesting an important role in immune defense. NK-lysin-derived peptides showed antimicrobial activity against relevant aquaculture pathogens, such as Piscirickettsia salmonis and Flavobacterium psychrophilum, as well as immunomodulatory activity both in vitro and in vivo. These peptides regulate the expression of cytokines associated with innate and adaptive immune responses, including Th1, Th2, and Th17 profiles. Furthermore, they can modulate responses induced by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), enhancing the expression of antiviral genes such as IFN-γ and Mx in response to poly(I:C), and regulating inflammatory responses to LPS. An increase in the phagocytic activity of head kidney leukocytes has also been observed, although with variable effects depending on the peptide evaluated. Due to their relatively low toxicity and their ability to modulate immune responses, these peptides have also been evaluated as vaccine adjuvants. In formulations containing the VP2 antigen of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNv), the peptides SsNK127 and SsNK427 increased IgM production and enhanced humoral and cellular immune responses, suggesting the coordinated activation of Th1, Th2, and Th17 responses. Overall, these findings indicate that NK-lysin-derived peptides not only possess direct antimicrobial activity but also strong immunostimulatory and adjuvant potential, positioning them as promising candidates to improve vaccines and disease control in salmon aquaculture.
Description
Tesis presentada para optar al grado de Doctor/a en Biotecnología Molecular.
Keywords
Salmonicultura, Vacunas