Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have discovered that corals can be prepared to strengthen their ability to resist diseases before they spread.
According to SPA, the study published in the scientific journal ISME Host Microbe showed that corals exposed to inactive forms or non-lethal doses of a pathogen became more capable of resisting that same pathogen during later exposure.
The process functions similarly to vaccination by preparing the organism to recognize future threats. This provides the first evidence that corals can develop a protective response resembling immune memory, despite lacking the adaptive immune system found in humans and other vertebrates.
Raquel Peixoto, a professor of marine science at KAUST and lead author of the study, stated that coral diseases are a growing challenge for reefs globally. The results indicated an increased capacity for previously exposed corals to react when facing the pathogen again, suggesting a way to bolster natural defenses.
The study also found that the protective effect extends beyond the coral itself to the microbiome, which is the community of microorganisms living in association with the coral that helps maintain its health.
How did the KAUST study demonstrate that corals can resist diseases? The study published in ISME Host Microbe showed that corals were exposed to either inactive forms or non-lethal doses of a pathogen. Following this initial exposure, the corals became more capable of resisting the same pathogen when they encountered it again later. This process is described as being similar to the principle of vaccination, where an organism is prepared to recognize and defend against future threats.
What is unique about the immune response found in corals according to the research? The research provides the first evidence that corals can develop a protective response that resembles immune memory. This is a significant finding because corals do not possess the adaptive immune system that is present in humans and other vertebrates. The discovery offers new insight into the specific mechanisms corals use to defend themselves against infections.
What role does the microbiome play in the coral’s protective response? The study revealed that the protective effect against diseases is not limited to changes within the coral itself. It also extends to the microbiome, which consists of the community of microorganisms living in association with the coral. These microorganisms contribute to the overall maintenance of the coral’s health and are part of the broader response to pathogens.