No evidence of local adaptation of immune responses to Gyrodactylus in three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

Robertson, S., Bradley, J. E. and MacColl, A. D.C. (2017) No evidence of local adaptation of immune responses to Gyrodactylus in three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 60, pp. 275-281. (doi: 10.1016/j.fsi.2016.11.058) (PMID:27913248)

Abstract

Parasitism represents one of the most widespread lifestyles in the animal kingdom, with the potential to drive coevolutionary dynamics with their host population. Where hosts and parasites evolve together, we may find local adaptation. As one of the main host defences against infection, there is the potential for the immune response to be adapted to local parasites. In this study, we used the three-spined stickleback and its Gyrodactylus parasites to examine the extent of local adaptation of parasite infection dynamics and the immune response to infection. We took two geographically isolated host populations infected with two distinct Gyrodactylus species and performed a reciprocal cross-infection experiment in controlled laboratory conditions. Parasite burdens were monitored over the course of the infection, and individuals were sampled at multiple time points for immune gene expression analysis. We found large differences in virulence between parasite species, irrespective of host, and maladaptation of parasites to their sympatric host. The immune system responded to infection, with a decrease in expression of innate and Th1-type adaptive response genes in fish infected with the less virulent parasite, representing a marker of a possible resistance mechanism. There was no evidence of local adaptation in immune gene expression levels. Our results add to the growing understanding of the extent of host-parasite local adaptation, and demonstrate a systemic immune response during infection with a common ectoparasite. Further immunological studies using the stickleback-Gyrodactylus system can continue to contribute to our understanding of the function of the immune response in natural populations.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was funded by a NERC studentship (NE/ K501311/1) awarded to SR.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Robertson, Dr Shaun
• Authors: Robertson, S., Bradley, J. E., and MacColl, A. D.C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Fish and Shellfish Immunology
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 1050-4648
• ISSN (Online): 1095-9947
• Published Online: 29 November 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Fish and Shellfish Immunology 60: 275-281
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License