Identification of expressed genes in carp (Cyprinus carpio) head kidney cells after in vitro treatment with immunostimulants.

We analysed a total of 530 expressed genes from the head kidney cells of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) treated by immunostimulants. Sequences of the cDNA clones were compared with sequences in the GenBank database. Immune-related genes identified after in vitro stimulation of carp head kidney cells were: BPI/LBP, C-type lectins, fucolectins, CC-chemokine, CXC-chemokine, CD18, cyclophilin, FcgammaR, G-CSFR, HSP 70, Ig heavy and light chains, NITR, integrin beta2-alpha, Mx, interleukin-1beta, beta thymosin, lysozyme G & C, MHC class II associated invariant chain 1 and 2, granulin, CAAT binding protein and tumour necrosis factor-alpha induced protein. The expression of these immune-related genes may be important for estimating the efficacy of immunostimulants.