Antimicrobial peptides, small cysteine-rich molecules, play vital roles in host defense mechanisms against pathogen infection. Recently, tilapia hepcidin (TH)1-5, was characterized, and its antimicrobial functions against several pathogens were reported. Herein, we investigated the antiviral functions of TH1-5 against infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) in Chinook salmon embryo (CHSE)-214 cells. The presence of TH1-5 enhanced the survival of CHSE-214 cells infected with IPNV. Additionally, the number of plaques formed by the cytopathic effect of IPNV in CHSE-214 cells decreased when IPNV was preincubated with TH1-5. This observation demonstrates the antiviral function of TH1-5. Real-time PCR studies showed the modulation of interleukin, annexin, and other viral-responsive gene expressions by TH1-5. When TH1-5 and IPNV were used to co-treat CHSE-214 cells, then cells were re-challenged with IPNV at 24h, the cells did not survive the IPNV infection. This shows that in the absence of TH1-5, viral re-challenge killed CHSE-214 cells. In conclusion TH1-5 protected CHSE-214 cells against IPNV by direct antimicrobial and immunomodulatory functions.
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