Gut Microbiota-Metabolite Dynamics in Sebastes Schlegeli Following Vibrio Harveyi Infection

Abstract

Vibrio harveyi infection causes significant economic losses in Sebastes schlegeli aquaculture. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in immune modulation and metabolic balance. This study investigated the dynamic changes and interactions between gut microbiota, metabolites, and immune gene expression at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-infection. The results revealed that V. harveyi infection notably altered the gut microbiota composition, with an increase in pathogenic bacteria such as Vibrio and Pseudoalteromonas, while beneficial bacteria like Sphingomonas and Methylobacterium/Methylorubrum decreased. Metabolomic profiling showed significant changes in metabolites, particularly organic acids, lipids, and amino acids, especially at 48 and 72 hours. Additionally, two key metabolites, Trans-Cinnamic acid and Dioctyl succinate, were significantly correlated with both gut microbiota composition and immune regulation. qPCR analysis indicated that pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 peaked at 48 hours and then declined, while gut barrier-related genes, including occludin, ZO-1, and claudin-1, showed continuous downregulation.

Keywords: Vibrio harveyi, S.schlegeli, gut microbiota, metabolites, Immune response