Fish Mucosal Physiology and Immunology

Dear Colleagues,

Fish have developed mechanisms to ensure their survival and adaptation in aquatic environments, where a multitude of challenges present a constant threat. Because of their intimate contact with water, fish face more significant pressure in coping with challenges in the immediate environment, compared with terrestrial animals. The mucosal surfaces (i.e., skin, gill, gut, and nasal) are at the forefront in combatting these threats. Hence, they are known to constitute the first line of defence. Several players (e.g., microbes, cells, and molecules) at the mucosa are tightly coordinated to ensure homeostasis, and that orchestrated actions are carried out against imminent dangers. Besides their role in defence, mucosal organs simultaneously perform several other important physiological functions, including respiration, chemoreception, nutrient absorption, osmoregulation, and waste excretion, to name a few.

This Special Issue aims to gather novel research and emerging frontiers in the molecular and cellular basis of fish mucosal physiology and immunology, including, but not limited to, issues relating to immune mechanisms at the mucosa, molecular players, cellular organization and trafficking, biophysical properties of mucus, molecular markers, evolution and plasticity, and regulation by different stimuli. Fundamental and applied research are welcome. Review papers are also encouraged provided that the chosen topic is discussed in the broader context and knowledge gaps and future perspectives have been identified.

Dr. Carlo C. Lazado
Guest Editor

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