Transcriptome analysis of multiple tissues in the Babylonia areolata reveals the distinct response to Vibrio tubiashii infection

Babylonia areolata affected by acute death syndrome exhibits high progression rate and mortality. However, research regarding the host immune response against infection in multiple tissues is limited. In this study, transcriptome sequencing technology was used to explore gene expression differences in the gills, hemolymphocytes, and hepatopancreas following Vibrio tubiashii infection. A total of 1680, 638, and 5610 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the gills, hemolymphocytes, and hepatopancreas, respectively. The GO and KEGG enrichment analyses showed distinct immune responses in different tissues. The DEGs in the gills were mostly associated with the cytoskeleton, focal adhesion, and ECM - receptor interaction and the DEGs in hemolymphocytes were mainly involved in catalytic activity, immune response, and the peroxisome pathway. The DEGs in the hepatopancreas were significantly enriched in metabolic processes and the lysosome pathway. Additionally, genes involved in the cytoskeleton, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, and complement and coagulation cascade might play crucial roles in defense across tissues. These results unveiled the specific molecular mechanism of different tissues of B. areolata in response to V. tubiashii infection, and enhanced our understanding of ivory shell antibacterial immunity and disease control.