Functional Characterization of <i>TNFα</i> in the Starry Flounder (<i>Platichthys stellatus</i>) and Its Potential as an Immunostimulant
<i>Tumor necrosis factor alpha</i> (<i>TNFα</i>) is a central pro-inflammatory cytokine that mediates host immune responses during infection. In this study, we identified and characterized the <i>TNFα</i> gene in the starry flounder (<i>Platichthys stellatus...
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2025-07-01
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| author | Min-Young Sohn Gyoungsik Kang Kyung-Ho Kim Ha-Jeong Son Chan-Il Park |
| author_facet | Min-Young Sohn Gyoungsik Kang Kyung-Ho Kim Ha-Jeong Son Chan-Il Park |
| author_sort | Min-Young Sohn |
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| description | <i>Tumor necrosis factor alpha</i> (<i>TNFα</i>) is a central pro-inflammatory cytokine that mediates host immune responses during infection. In this study, we identified and characterized the <i>TNFα</i> gene in the starry flounder (<i>Platichthys stellatus</i>) through transcriptomic analysis. The deduced protein contained a conserved TNF domain and transmembrane region, and phylogenetic analysis confirmed its homology with other teleost TNFα proteins. Tissue-specific expression profiling revealed high baseline expression in immune-related peripheral organs and a distinct temporal modulation in response to <i>Streptococcus parauberis</i> infection. Recombinant TNFα (rTNFα), produced using a cell-free expression system, significantly enhanced phagocytic activity in peripheral and kidney-derived leukocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Peak activity was observed at 150–200 μg/mL, while a decline at higher concentrations suggested a threshold for immune stimulation. Importantly, hemolysis assays confirmed the safety of rTNFα even at the highest tested concentrations. These results demonstrate the immunomodulatory potential of TNFα as a molecular adjuvant in aquaculture vaccines and underscore its potential utility in immune-enhancing strategies for sustainable aquaculture. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ac4af63c759f46299145bccef87d0dab |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj-art-ac4af63c759f46299145bccef87d0dab2025-08-20T03:13:42ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-07-011514211910.3390/ani15142119Functional Characterization of <i>TNFα</i> in the Starry Flounder (<i>Platichthys stellatus</i>) and Its Potential as an ImmunostimulantMin-Young Sohn0Gyoungsik Kang1Kyung-Ho Kim2Ha-Jeong Son3Chan-Il Park4Department of Marine Biology & Aquaculture, College of Marine Science, Gyeongsang National University, Tongyeong 53064, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Aquatic Life Medicine, College of Marine Science, Gyeongsang National University, Tongyeong 53064, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Aquatic Life Medicine, College of Marine Science, Gyeongsang National University, Tongyeong 53064, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Marine Biology & Aquaculture, College of Marine Science, Gyeongsang National University, Tongyeong 53064, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Marine Biology & Aquaculture, College of Marine Science, Gyeongsang National University, Tongyeong 53064, Republic of Korea<i>Tumor necrosis factor alpha</i> (<i>TNFα</i>) is a central pro-inflammatory cytokine that mediates host immune responses during infection. In this study, we identified and characterized the <i>TNFα</i> gene in the starry flounder (<i>Platichthys stellatus</i>) through transcriptomic analysis. The deduced protein contained a conserved TNF domain and transmembrane region, and phylogenetic analysis confirmed its homology with other teleost TNFα proteins. Tissue-specific expression profiling revealed high baseline expression in immune-related peripheral organs and a distinct temporal modulation in response to <i>Streptococcus parauberis</i> infection. Recombinant TNFα (rTNFα), produced using a cell-free expression system, significantly enhanced phagocytic activity in peripheral and kidney-derived leukocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Peak activity was observed at 150–200 μg/mL, while a decline at higher concentrations suggested a threshold for immune stimulation. Importantly, hemolysis assays confirmed the safety of rTNFα even at the highest tested concentrations. These results demonstrate the immunomodulatory potential of TNFα as a molecular adjuvant in aquaculture vaccines and underscore its potential utility in immune-enhancing strategies for sustainable aquaculture.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/14/2119<i>TNFα</i>molecular adjuvantstarry flounder |
| spellingShingle | Min-Young Sohn Gyoungsik Kang Kyung-Ho Kim Ha-Jeong Son Chan-Il Park Functional Characterization of <i>TNFα</i> in the Starry Flounder (<i>Platichthys stellatus</i>) and Its Potential as an Immunostimulant Animals <i>TNFα</i> molecular adjuvant starry flounder |
| title | Functional Characterization of <i>TNFα</i> in the Starry Flounder (<i>Platichthys stellatus</i>) and Its Potential as an Immunostimulant |
| title_full | Functional Characterization of <i>TNFα</i> in the Starry Flounder (<i>Platichthys stellatus</i>) and Its Potential as an Immunostimulant |
| title_fullStr | Functional Characterization of <i>TNFα</i> in the Starry Flounder (<i>Platichthys stellatus</i>) and Its Potential as an Immunostimulant |
| title_full_unstemmed | Functional Characterization of <i>TNFα</i> in the Starry Flounder (<i>Platichthys stellatus</i>) and Its Potential as an Immunostimulant |
| title_short | Functional Characterization of <i>TNFα</i> in the Starry Flounder (<i>Platichthys stellatus</i>) and Its Potential as an Immunostimulant |
| title_sort | functional characterization of i tnfα i in the starry flounder i platichthys stellatus i and its potential as an immunostimulant |
| topic | <i>TNFα</i> molecular adjuvant starry flounder |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/14/2119 |
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