DAO 51:135-138 (2002)  -  doi:10.3354/dao051135

ABSTRACT: In a previous study we determined that administration of recombinant feline interferon-ω (rFeIFN-ω) could protect Japanese pearl oysters Pinctada fucata martensii from akoya-virus infection. Our results suggested that rFeIFN-ω enhanced the potential of agranulocytes to phagocytize necrotic cells and to produce collagen fibers that repair the lesions caused by the akoya-virus. In the present study, using an indirect immunofluorescence technique with an anti-rFeIFN-ω rabbit serum, we examined whether hemocytes bear receptors that bind rFeIFN-ω. rFeIFN-ω receptors were present on agranulocytes and bound rFeIFN-ω, and appeared as green fluorescent spots in the cytoplasm under a fluorescent microscope. Around 56% of agranulocytes in Japanese pearl oysters bore the rFeIFN-ω receptors.

KEY WORDS: Japanese pearl oyster · Agranulocytes · rFeIFN-ω receptor · Akoya-virus