Immuno-stimulatory effects of sulfated polysaccharides isolated from Codium fragile in olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus.

Sulfated polysaccharides isolated from Codium fragile have been previously demonstrated to possess immune-stimulating effects on murine cell lines and the fraction F2 (F2) isolated by ion exchange chromatography was the most effective. In this study, the effects of the fraction F2 were evaluated on the expressions of immune genes including IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-8, IFN-γ and lysozyme in vitro and in vivo as well as lysozyme and complement activities in serum of olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. In vitro, these gene expressions were up-regulated by F2 in head kidney cells. In vivo, IL-1β and IL-8 gene expressions were up-regulated in peritoneal cells, head kidney, liver, gill and spleen, while TNF-α, IFN-γ and lysozyme gene expressions were mostly up-regulated but varied depending on tissue types or time points. Indeed, lysozyme and complement activities in serum were increased. Overall, these results indicate that the sulfated polysaccharides from C. fragile have immuno-stimulatory effects on olive flounder and may be used to enhance immunity during aquaculture.