Gene expression profiles of white bass (Morone chrysops) and hybrid striped bass (M. chrysops x M. saxatilis) gill tissue over time following Flavobacterium covae exposure

Columnaris disease is a prevalent disease in freshwater environments worldwide caused by the ubiquitous aquatic bacterium Flavobacterium species. Adhesion to the external mucosal surfaces of fishes is the initial stage of infection, and the gills specifically have been identified as both a primary target and release site for this pathogen. Previous research has indicated that a predominant US aquaculture product, the hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops x M. saxatilis), is more susceptible to infection with Flavobacterium columnare (covae) than the maternal white bass (M. chrysops) parental species. Therefore, to further elucidate the differences between these fish we conducted a transcriptomic profiling study examining the differences of gene expression in gill mucosal tissue over time after exposure to F. covae isolate LSU-066-04. Combined with previous work, these data provide a greater understanding of host immune response to a common pathogen in moronids. Overall design: Gill tissues were sampled from 48 indiviudals at four timepoints prior to (t= 0 hr control) or following exposure to Flavobacterium covae (t= 1 hr, 4 hr, and 24 hr post treatment) (n=24 white bass, WB, and 24 hybrid striped bass, HB, total: 6 of each sampled at each of the four timepoints)