Fish Immunity Against Nervous Necrosis Virus (NNV) Infection: A Review

Authors : Irfan Hakimi Roslan, Azila Abdullah, Nur Nazifah Mansor, Mohd Firdaus Nawi, Nur Amalin Sofea Abdul Rahim, Hazreen Nita Mohd Khalid

Pages : 74-84

Doi:10.38001/ijlsb.1542126

View : 84 | Download : 82

Publication Date : 2025-04-15

Article Type : Review Paper

Abstract :Fish are unique organisms fitted with a certain degree of immune system that are similarly to mammals, made up of innate and adaptive immunity. Both innate and adaptive immunity mechanisms in fish are crucial as the first line of defense as well as secreting antibodies and memory cells following an infection. Innate immunity comprised of non-specific cellular and the nonspecific humoral components while adaptive immunity consists of specialized systemic cells and mechanisms that are categorized into two main groups: the humoral and cellular components. Prior to Nervous Necrosis Virus (NNV) infection caused by small (25-30 nm), non-enveloped and icosahedral shaped virus belongs to genus Betanodavirus, both innate and adaptive immunity mechanisms have their own parts to play. As Nervous Necrosis Virus (NNV) invades fish body, pathogen will be break down through phagocytosis followed by presentation of small protein fragments on MHC class II molecules. This will eventually activate adaptive immunity pathway to stimulates the proliferation and maturation of the B cells. As B cells matured, antibodies will be produced to suppress the pathogen through series of process known as opsonization and neutralization before phagocytosis takes place. Following secondary exposure with the same antigen, B cells will rapidly proliferate, releasing significant number of antibodies to clear the antigen.
Keywords : Immunity, Viral Nervous Necrosis (VNN), Nervous Necrosis Virus (NNV), Betanodavirus, Antibody, Antigen

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