Crustacean aquaculture, dominated by shrimp, is a highly profitable food‐producing sector in the world. However, a variety of biotic and abiotic stressors can have adverse effect on the immune system of shrimp making them susceptible to diseases. Although a vertebrate‐like adaptive immune system is lacking in shrimp, an efficient innate immune system renders protection against invading pathogens. The innate immune system comprises two distinct but overlapping components, the cellular and humoral, and these are regulated through several signal transduction pathways. The signal pathways are initiated by the recognition of pathogen‐associated molecular patterns by germline‐encoded pattern recognition receptors leading to the production of different effector molecules that act against the pathogens. RNAi‐mediated post‐transcriptional gene silencing and microRNA regulation of immune response have also been found to be functional in shrimp. Similarly, apoptosis and apoptosis‐related genes are also reported, besides interferon (IFN) system‐like antiviral regulatory mechanism. Further, some form of immune memory, termed ‘immune priming’ or ‘innate immunity with specificity’ and ‘quasi‐immune response’ is recorded in shrimp and these abilities have been exploited in verifying the immunoprotection against different pathogens. Antigens developed either directly from the pathogens or through recombinant proteins have been tested for immune‐protective ability. RNAi‐mediated protection has also been demonstrated against different shrimp viruses. This review summarizes the available scientific information on immune responses and the immunoprotection trials carried out in crustaceans with a focus on shrimp. The available research evidences indicate the potential of developing effective immunoprophylactic measures in shrimp.

中文翻译：

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甲壳类动物的免疫反应和免疫保护作用，特别是对虾

以虾为主的甲壳类水产养殖是世界上利润丰厚的食品生产部门。但是，多种生物和非生物应激源可能对虾的免疫系统产生不利影响，使它们易患疾病。尽管虾缺乏像脊椎动物一样的适应性免疫系统，但有效的先天免疫系统可抵御入侵​​的病原体。先天性免疫系统包括两个不同但重叠的部分，即细胞和体液，它们通过几种信号转导途径进行调节。信号通路是通过种系编码的模式识别受体识别病原体相关分子模式而启动的，从而导致产生了多种对抗病原体的效应分子。还发现RNAi介导的转录后基因沉默和免疫反应的microRNA调节在虾中起作用。同样，除干扰素（IFN）系统样抗病毒调节机制外，还报道了凋亡和凋亡相关基因。此外，虾中记录了某种形式的免疫记忆，称为“免疫引发”或“先天免疫特异性”和“准免疫应答”，这些能力已被用于验证针对不同病原体的免疫保护。已经测试了直接从病原体或通过重组蛋白产生的抗原的免疫保护能力。RNAi介导的保护作用还被证明可以抵抗不同的虾病毒。这篇综述总结了有关在甲壳类动物中针对虾的免疫反应和免疫保护试验的可用科学信息。现有的研究证据表明了开发对虾有效免疫预防措施的潜力。