Aeromonas veronii (A. veronii) is one of the main pathogens causing
bacterial diseases in aquaculture. Although previous studies have shown that
hepcidin as an
antimicrobial peptide can promote fish resistance to pathogenic
bacterial infections, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we expressed and purified recombinant yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)
hepcidin protein (rPfHep). rPfHep can up-regulate the expression of
ferritin and enhance the antibacterial activity in primary hepatocytes of yellow catfish. We employed
berberine hydrochloride (BBR) and
Fursultiamine (FSL) as agonists and antagonists for
hepcidin, respectively. The results indicated that agonist BBR can inhibit the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria, and the antagonist FSL shows the opposite effect. After gavage administration, rPfHep and the agonist BBR can enhance the accumulation of
iron in liver, which may hinder the
iron transport and limit the amount of
iron available to pathogenic bacteria. Moreover, rPfHep and the agonist BBR can also reduce the mortality rate, bacterial load and histological lesions in yellow catfish infected with A. veronii. Therefore,
hepcidin is an important mediator of
iron metabolism, and it can be used as a candidate target for prevent
bacterial infections in yellow catfish.
Hepcidin and BBR have potential application value in preventing anti-
bacterial infection.