Innate immunity in fish: responses and adaptations to diverse aquatic environments

The area of innate immunity in fish is a critical frontier for aquaculture, an essential industry providing significant protein sources globally. Fish innate immunity serves as a foundational barrier safeguarding against pathogenic threats, with functionality profoundly influenced by various aquatic environmental conditions. Recent studies have demonstrated important connections between innate immune mechanisms and environmental variables such as pathogen exposure, nutritional deficits, stressors, pollutant contamination, microbiota composition changes, seasonal fluctuations, and adaptive processes across fish populations. However, gaps remain in our scientific understanding, particularly regarding effective theoretical frameworks and advanced methodologies to regulate and enhance innate immunity for sustainable aquaculture practice. Thus, comprehensive exploration into the dynamic interplay between environmental factors and fish innate immunity is crucial for achieving healthier and more robust aquaculture populations.

This Research Topic aims to explore critical aspects of fish innate immunity, specifically how environmental factors influence immune responses, and to propose innovative strategies for disease prevention, immune enhancement, and sustainable aquaculture management. The Research Topic will address questions such as how environmental stressors regulate innate immunity, what molecular pathways are pivotal in immune adaptation and response in fish, how nutritional regimes and microbiome interactions shape immune functions, and what novel compounds and approaches can improve immunity against environmental pathogens.

To gather further insights within the broad interplay between fish innate immunity and varying aquatic environments, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Nutritional influences on innate immune regulation and resilience.
- Effects of environmental temperature variations on innate immune pathways and responses.
- Identification and biological function of innate immune-related molecules in fish.
- Development and application of natural small molecule strategies to combat pathogen infections.
- Interactions and modulation between gut microbiota compositions and innate immune mechanisms.
- Role of innate immune responses in defense mechanisms against environmental pathogens.
- Adaptive evolution of innate immunity in response to long-term environmental conditions.

We welcome submissions of original research articles, reviews, and perspective papers related to these topics.