Single-cell transcriptomics unveils leukocyte heterogeneity in the gills of <i>Larimichthys crocea</i> in response to parasitic infection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Fish gills serve as critical immune interfaces against aquatic pathogens, yet their leukocyte heterogeneity in response to parasitic infections remains poorly understood.

Methods

Single-cell RNA sequencing was employed to elucidate leukocyte responses in the gills of Larimichthys crocea during Cryptocaryon irritans infection.

Results

A total of 13,070 leukocytes from the gills under steady-state and infected conditions were profiled and classified into eight principal lineages: T cells (> 70% of total immune cells), ILC2-like cells, NK-like cells, neutrophils, cpa5 ⁺ granulocytes, B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Following infection, T cell subsets exhibited distinct responses: Regulatory T cells expanded and demons

SUBMITTER: Li Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12353724 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature