New research by the “Erythrocytes in Antiviral Immunology” group at IDiBE reveals that red blood cells in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) act as immunocompetent cells against red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV).
Using transcriptomic analysis, the research team identified the activation of mechanisms associated with innate antiviral immunity, interferon signaling, antigen presentation and the cellular stress response. The results show that red blood cells are susceptible to RGNNV and actively respond to infection.
Published in Fish & Shellfish Immunology, this study contributes to a better understanding of the immune response to one of the viruses that most severely affects European sea bass and opens new avenues for research in aquatic animal health.
Congratulations to all the authors:
Celia García Quintanilla, Verónica Chico Gras, María Salvador Mira, Yeray Kevin Cerpa Damas, MSc, Adrián López Murcia, Manuel Solivella Rodríguez, Miguel Ángel García Álvarez, Alberto Cuesta and María del Mar Ortega-Villaizán Romo.
This research was funded by the ThinkInAzul programme, project GVA-THINKINAZUL/2021/020.
Full article: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2026.111736