The enhanced immune protection of Zhikong scallop Chlamys farreri on the secondary encounter with Listonella anguillarum

Abstract

It is well known that invertebrates are devoid of adaptive immune components and rely primarily on innate immunity to defend against pathogens, but recent studies have demonstrated the existence of enhanced secondary immune protection in some invertebrates. In the present study, the cumulative mortality of scallops received two successive Listonella anguillarum stimulations was recorded, and variations of immune parameters including phagocytosis (phagocytic rate and phagocytic index), phenoloxidase-like enzyme, acid phosphatase and superoxide dismutase activities were also examined. The scallops received a previous short-term L. anguillarum stimulation were protected against a long-term stimulation of L. anguillarum. Significantly higher level of phagocytic activities and acid phosphatase activity were observed in the scallops received twice stimulations compared with those only received the secondary stimulation. These results indicated that a short-term immersion with L. anguillarum modulated the scallops' immune system and endowed the scallops with enhanced resistance to the secondary bacterial stimulation; phagocytosis and acid phosphatase were suspected to be involved in the protection.