Cellular immune responses consist of innate and adaptive cell-mediated immune mechanisms, where all leukocyte subpopulations are included. Among these are vital processes such as cell-mediated cytotoxicity and phagocytosis. The main cellular constituents of the fish immune system are macrophages, granulocytes, dendritic cells, NK cells, and cytotoxic T cells. This review provides the latest information on cellular defense mechanisms of fish and provides an overview of the function of the mucosal immune system in maintaining the general health of fish. Here, we discuss the fundamental ideas that underpin mucosal immune responses in teleosts, as well as the innate and adaptive immune cells and the molecules that play a role in these immune responses. Moreover, cytokine molecules and pathways in teleosts have been reported to focus on several kinds of associated immunity. Importantly, we also review antigen processing and presentation. The knowledge reported here will enable better understanding, determination, and modulation of the pathways responsible for protective immunity, thus consequently improving the health of the fish in aquaculture.

In fish, the spleen is the prime secondary lymphoid organ. It has a role in the induction of adaptive immune responses, in addition to its significance in the elimination of immune complexes. This study was conducted on 18 randomly obtained adult molly fish (Poecilia sphenops) of both sexes using histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural studies to highlight the cellular components of the spleen and their potential role in the immune system. The spleen of molly fish was characterized by the presence of well-distinct melanomacrophage centers, and other basic structures present in higher vertebrates including red and white pulps, blood vessels, and ellipsoids. Some mitotic cells could also be identified in the red pulp. Mast cells with characteristic metachromatic granules could be seen among the splenic cells. Rodlet cells were randomly distributed in the spleen and were also observed around the ellipsoids. The white pulp of the spleen expressed APG5. The expressions were well distinct in the melanomacrophages, leukocytes, and macrophages. Myostatin was expressed in leukocytes and epithelial reticular cells. IL-1β showed immunoreactivity in monocytes and macrophages around the ellipsoids. NF-κB and TGF-β were expressed in macrophages and epithelial reticular cells. Nrf2 expression was detected in stem cells and rodlet cells. Sox-9 had a higher expression in epithelial reticular cells and stem cells. The high frequency of immune cells in the spleen confirmed its role in the regulation of both innate and adaptive immunity, cell proliferation, and apoptosis.

To gain insight into the mechanism of sarcopenia and the protective effect of melatonin, the gastrocnemius muscles of young (3–4 months), early-aged (12 months), and old-aged (24 months) wild-type C57BL/6J female mice were examined by magnetic resonance and microscopy. Locomotor activity, lactate production, and nuclear apoptosis were also assessed. The results support the early onset of sarcopenia at 12 months of age, with reduction of muscle fiber number, muscle weight/body weight ratio, lactate, and locomotor activity. Lipid droplet infiltration and autophagosomes were also detected. These changes driven little effects on the early-aged muscle, but they got worse in old-aged animals by the progressive damage of the muscle. Old-aged muscle showed a reduction of the mitochondrial number, a destruction of the mitochondrial cristae, and swelling. Tubular aggregates and nucleic acid fragmentation were the most striking findings in old-aged muscle, reflecting a broad damage with loss of autophagy efficacy. Oral melatonin administration conserved the normal muscular architecture, weight, muscle fiber number, and activity in the old age; it stimulated lactate production, prevented mitochondrial damage and tubular aggregates, and reduced the percentage of apoptotic nuclei in aged muscles. Altogether, gastrocnemius muscle showed age-mediated signs of sarcopenia that were reduced by melatonin treatment.