RT Journal Article
T1 Anti‑nervous necrosis virus activity of the growth hormone releasing peptide‑6, GHRP‑6
A1 Álvarez-Torres, Daniel
A1 Martínez, Rebeca
A1 Moreno, Patricia
A1 Alonso-Sánchez, María del Carmen
A1 García-Rosado, Esther
A1 Porras Estrada, Mario
A1 Béjar-Alvarado, Julia
K1 Hormona liberadora de la somatropina
K1 Peces
K1 Agentes antivíricos
AB Growth hormone-releasing peptide 6 (GHRP-6), is a six-amino acid synthetic peptide that acts as a ghrelin analog and has shown growth-promoting and immunomodulatory activities in several fish species. This study evaluates the effects of GHRP-6 against the infection with the nervous necrosis virus (NNV), an important pathogen affecting the central nervous system of a wide range of fish species, including European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). For the in vitro evaluation, E11 cells were treated with GHRP-6 before and/or during viral infection, resulting in higher cellular survival rates, lower viral genome replication, and lower production of infective viral particles compared with control cells. These results indicate that GHRP-6 protects E11 cells from the viral infection. In order to conduct the in vivo evaluation, European seabass specimens were intraperitoneally injected with GHRP-6, resulting in the significant upregulation of several immune genes, such as TNF-A, RTP3, and IgM, in head kidney and intestine. Furthermore, NNV replication was lower in the brain from GHRP-6 injected fish than in controls, and the brain antiviral immune response was clearly modulated in treated fish. These results support the potential of GHRP-6 as an antiviral compound that could contribute to prevent viral diseases in fish farms, a priority for the aquaculture Industry
PB Springer Nature
YR 2025
FD 2025-04-30
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/38657
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/38657
LA eng
NO Álvarez-Torres, D., Martínez, R., Moreno, P. et al. Anti-nervous necrosis virus activity of the growth hormone releasing peptide-6, GHRP-6. Aquacult Int 33, 306 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-025-01987-w
NO Funding for open access publishing: Universidad de Málaga/CBUA. This study has been funded by the UMA20-FEDERJA-020 project (Regional Government). Daniel Álvarez-Torres has been granted the project PTA2020-018984-I and R. Martinez was granted with a Plan Propio fellowship from University of Malaga.
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 19 ene 2026