Objective:

To characterize host transcriptional responses to Scale Drop Disease Virus (SDDV) infection using a permissive Asian seabass kidney (ASBK) cell system, highlighting the significance of these responses in understanding viral pathogenesis.

Key Findings:

• SDDV infection induced dynamic remodeling of immune signaling pathways and cellular processes, including specific pathways such as NF-kB and JAK-STAT.
• Early infection stages showed rapid activation of innate immune sensing and signaling, indicating a robust initial host response.
• Later stages were characterized by immune modulation and cellular reprogramming, suggesting a shift in host strategy to cope with viral infection.

Interpretation:

The study establishes ASBK-1 cells as a robust platform for mechanistic studies of SDDV and elucidates time-dependent host molecular networks during infection, with implications for developing targeted therapies.

Limitations:

• Limited understanding of SDDV pathogenesis due to lack of comprehensive molecular investigations, which may affect the interpretation of host responses.
• Previous studies primarily focused on epidemiology and diagnostics rather than host-virus interactions, highlighting a gap in knowledge.

Conclusion:

The findings advance the understanding of host-virus interactions in Asian seabass and highlight the need for further research on SDDV pathogenesis, particularly in the context of aquaculture sustainability.