Comparative transcriptome analysis of noble crayfish and marbled crayfish immune response to Aphanomyces astaci challenges
Résumé
Introduction of invasive North American crayfish species and their pathogen Aphanomyces
astaci has significantly contributed to the decline of European freshwater crayfish
populations. In this study, noble crayfish, a susceptible native European species, and marbled
crayfish, an invasive disease-resistant species, were challenged with haplogroup A (low
virulence) and haplogroup B (high virulence) strain of A. astaci. Hepatopancreatic tissue was
isolated 3 and 21 days post-challenge. Our results revealed strong up-regulation in expression
levels of the prophenoloxidase cascade immune-related genes in the haplogroup B challenged
noble crayfish 3 days post-challenge. In the marbled crayfish, we observed an up-regulation
of immune system relevant genes (DSCAM, AP, ALFs, CTLs and hemocyanin) 3 days post-
challenge. This response highlights the marbled crayfish capability of building the immune
tolerance. Furthermore, we successfully characterised several novel immune related gene
groups in both crayfish species, contributing to our current understanding of crayfish immune
related genes landscape.