Aquaculture provides premium proteins for a large population over the world. However, the culture of aquatic animals is often hampered by the occurrence of unpredictable diseases caused by various pathogens including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. These diseases have resulted in massive mortalities of aquatic animals and considerable economic loss. In fact, the relationship between microorganisms and aquatic animals is much more complicated than we thought. In some cases, microorganisms can be harmless or even beneficial to the aquatic animals. For example, it has been demonstrated that gut microbiota plays a key role in taking care of the hosts’ immunity, growth, and overall health. The effect of microbiome on aquatic animal, either beneficial or harmful, is based on the cross-talk between the host and the microbiota within. Microbial infection is a process in which pathogens continuously interact with the host, whereas in the process of microbial growth and metabolism, functional molecules are produced which can mediate microbiota-host cross-talk and modulate host immune responses. Therefore, a better understanding of the host-microbiota interaction is essential for us to find effective solutions of disease control and prevention in the aquaculture industry.
In this research topic, we aim to collect latest research findings or review manuscripts covering host-microbiota cross-talk in the immunity of aquatic animals. The scope of the research topic covers the studies on the interaction between host and microbiota during microbial invasion and infection, the regulation of microorganisms and their metabolites on host immune function, as well as the corresponding mechanisms. We welcome the submission of Original Research articles, Reviews, and Mini-Reviews, which include, but are not limited to, the following topics:
1. Interplay and influence between microorganism and host during pathogenic microbial invasion and infection
2. Regulation of microbial growth, and their metabolites on aquatic animal immunity and its mechanisms
3. New techniques and methods to study the interactions between aquatic animals and microbes
4. Effects of the interrelationship between microorganisms and complex host environments (such as host gut) on host disease resistance function
5. Studies on disease prevention and control and immune regulation of aquatic animals based on the host-microbiota cross-talk
Aquaculture provides premium proteins for a large population over the world. However, the culture of aquatic animals is often hampered by the occurrence of unpredictable diseases caused by various pathogens including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. These diseases have resulted in massive mortalities of aquatic animals and considerable economic loss. In fact, the relationship between microorganisms and aquatic animals is much more complicated than we thought. In some cases, microorganisms can be harmless or even beneficial to the aquatic animals. For example, it has been demonstrated that gut microbiota plays a key role in taking care of the hosts’ immunity, growth, and overall health. The effect of microbiome on aquatic animal, either beneficial or harmful, is based on the cross-talk between the host and the microbiota within. Microbial infection is a process in which pathogens continuously interact with the host, whereas in the process of microbial growth and metabolism, functional molecules are produced which can mediate microbiota-host cross-talk and modulate host immune responses. Therefore, a better understanding of the host-microbiota interaction is essential for us to find effective solutions of disease control and prevention in the aquaculture industry.
In this research topic, we aim to collect latest research findings or review manuscripts covering host-microbiota cross-talk in the immunity of aquatic animals. The scope of the research topic covers the studies on the interaction between host and microbiota during microbial invasion and infection, the regulation of microorganisms and their metabolites on host immune function, as well as the corresponding mechanisms. We welcome the submission of Original Research articles, Reviews, and Mini-Reviews, which include, but are not limited to, the following topics:
1. Interplay and influence between microorganism and host during pathogenic microbial invasion and infection
2. Regulation of microbial growth, and their metabolites on aquatic animal immunity and its mechanisms
3. New techniques and methods to study the interactions between aquatic animals and microbes
4. Effects of the interrelationship between microorganisms and complex host environments (such as host gut) on host disease resistance function
5. Studies on disease prevention and control and immune regulation of aquatic animals based on the host-microbiota cross-talk