Serotonin Signaling and Macrophage Subsets in Goldfish Gills: Unraveling the Neuroimmune Network for Gill Homeostasis
Goldfish (<i>Carassius auratus</i>) gills function as both respiratory and immune-regulatory organs, integrating neuroendocrine and immune responses to environmental stimuli. This study explores the spatial organization and interaction of neuroendocrine cells (NECs) and immune cells with...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| author | Manal T. Hussein Giacomo Zaccone Marco Albano Alessio Alesci Sebastian Marino Rasha Alonaizan Doaa M. Mokhtar |
| author_facet | Manal T. Hussein Giacomo Zaccone Marco Albano Alessio Alesci Sebastian Marino Rasha Alonaizan Doaa M. Mokhtar |
| author_sort | Manal T. Hussein |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Goldfish (<i>Carassius auratus</i>) gills function as both respiratory and immune-regulatory organs, integrating neuroendocrine and immune responses to environmental stimuli. This study explores the spatial organization and interaction of neuroendocrine cells (NECs) and immune cells within goldfish gills using confocal immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy. NECs, identified near blood capillaries and nerve fibers, highlight their role in environmental sensing and physiological regulation. These cells express serotonin (5-HT), a neurotransmitter critical for neuroimmune communication. Two distinct macrophage subsets were observed: iNOS-positive macrophages, concentrated in the basal epithelium, suggest a pro-inflammatory role, whereas 5-HT-positive macrophages, dispersed in the subepithelium, likely contribute to immune modulation. The co-localization of MHC-II and CD68 in macrophages further supports an active antigen-processing system in the gills. Ultrastructural analysis revealed diverse immune cells, including rodlet cells, telocytes, and lymphocytes, within the gill epithelium. Telocytes formed intricate networks with immune cells, highlighting their role in immune coordination and tissue homeostasis. These findings provide new insights into the neuroimmune interactions in fish gills, contributing to a broader understanding of aquatic immune systems and environmental adaptability. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2efcd6e91eed43cba0331233dbfc5a31 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-1729 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Life |
| spelling | doaj-art-2efcd6e91eed43cba0331233dbfc5a312025-08-20T03:47:57ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-05-0115575110.3390/life15050751Serotonin Signaling and Macrophage Subsets in Goldfish Gills: Unraveling the Neuroimmune Network for Gill HomeostasisManal T. Hussein0Giacomo Zaccone1Marco Albano2Alessio Alesci3Sebastian Marino4Rasha Alonaizan5Doaa M. Mokhtar6Department of Cell and Tissues, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, EgyptDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, ItalyDepartment of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, ItalyUniversity School for Advanced Studies—IUSS Pavia, 27100 Pavia, ItalyDepartment of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Cell and Tissues, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, EgyptGoldfish (<i>Carassius auratus</i>) gills function as both respiratory and immune-regulatory organs, integrating neuroendocrine and immune responses to environmental stimuli. This study explores the spatial organization and interaction of neuroendocrine cells (NECs) and immune cells within goldfish gills using confocal immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy. NECs, identified near blood capillaries and nerve fibers, highlight their role in environmental sensing and physiological regulation. These cells express serotonin (5-HT), a neurotransmitter critical for neuroimmune communication. Two distinct macrophage subsets were observed: iNOS-positive macrophages, concentrated in the basal epithelium, suggest a pro-inflammatory role, whereas 5-HT-positive macrophages, dispersed in the subepithelium, likely contribute to immune modulation. The co-localization of MHC-II and CD68 in macrophages further supports an active antigen-processing system in the gills. Ultrastructural analysis revealed diverse immune cells, including rodlet cells, telocytes, and lymphocytes, within the gill epithelium. Telocytes formed intricate networks with immune cells, highlighting their role in immune coordination and tissue homeostasis. These findings provide new insights into the neuroimmune interactions in fish gills, contributing to a broader understanding of aquatic immune systems and environmental adaptability.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/5/751fluorescence intensity curvebio-defenseserotonin signalingmacrophage subsetstelocyte networksneuroimmune interaction |
| spellingShingle | Manal T. Hussein Giacomo Zaccone Marco Albano Alessio Alesci Sebastian Marino Rasha Alonaizan Doaa M. Mokhtar Serotonin Signaling and Macrophage Subsets in Goldfish Gills: Unraveling the Neuroimmune Network for Gill Homeostasis Life fluorescence intensity curve bio-defense serotonin signaling macrophage subsets telocyte networks neuroimmune interaction |
| title | Serotonin Signaling and Macrophage Subsets in Goldfish Gills: Unraveling the Neuroimmune Network for Gill Homeostasis |
| title_full | Serotonin Signaling and Macrophage Subsets in Goldfish Gills: Unraveling the Neuroimmune Network for Gill Homeostasis |
| title_fullStr | Serotonin Signaling and Macrophage Subsets in Goldfish Gills: Unraveling the Neuroimmune Network for Gill Homeostasis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Serotonin Signaling and Macrophage Subsets in Goldfish Gills: Unraveling the Neuroimmune Network for Gill Homeostasis |
| title_short | Serotonin Signaling and Macrophage Subsets in Goldfish Gills: Unraveling the Neuroimmune Network for Gill Homeostasis |
| title_sort | serotonin signaling and macrophage subsets in goldfish gills unraveling the neuroimmune network for gill homeostasis |
| topic | fluorescence intensity curve bio-defense serotonin signaling macrophage subsets telocyte networks neuroimmune interaction |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/5/751 |
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