Long-Term Heat Stress Triggers Immune Activation and Cell Death Remodeling in the Brain of Largemouth Bass (<i>Micropterus salmoides</i>).

ABSTRACT: Heat stress typically suppresses systemic immunity in fish; however, its effects on the brain-an organ traditionally regarded as immune-privileged-remain unclear. In this study, we performed histopathological examination and RNA-seq analysis on the brains of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) exposed to control (28 °C) and elevated (36.5 °C) water temperatures for 8 weeks. Histological analysis revealed distinct cytoarchitectural and pathological changes in specific brain regions. RNA-seq analysis identified a total of 1240 differentially expressed genes, with 22 heat shock protein genes notably showing significant up-regulation. The immune system-associated genes emerged as the most prominently affected category. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) based on Kyoto Ency

SUBMITTER: Meng Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12610153 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature