The potential for antimicrobial peptides to improve fish health in aquaculture

The potential for antimicrobial peptides to improve fish health in aquaculture 

Martinez-Lopez, Miguel Hemmdez University, Spain, 

BNIA-SIGT Biotechnology, Spain and A. Estepa, 

Abstract Infectious diseases cause severe problems in the aquaculture industry, with viral diseases being responsible for the greatest losses in production. Disease prevention strategies still have some limitations in terms of safety and efficacy. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are molecules of the innate immune system, one of the first lines of defense against pathogens. Usually they not only exhibit antimicrobial activity, but also modulate the immune response. This review focuses on fish AMPs and their antiviral and immunoregulatory activities in order to assess their potential relevance to aquaculture. Since fish depend on their innate immune defenses more than mammals, they could be an alternative source of novel antiviral compounds. 

Key words antimicrobial peptides, AMPs, antimicrobial activity, antiviral, aquaculture, fish, disease, immune system, rhabdovirus. 

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