Identification of differentially expressed innate immune genes in the New Zealand paua (Haliotis iris) and the Australian hybrid abalone (H. laevigata X H. rubra) upon immersion challenge with the abalone herpesvirus-1 (HaHV)

Abalone viral ganglioneuritis (AVG) in abalone is caused by abalone herpesvirus (HaHV). All Australian abalone species tested to date have been shown to be susceptible to HaHV but a recent study revealed that the New Zealand paua is resistant when challenged with the virus via intra-muscular injection and immersion. Identifying the mechanisms of protection would provide a knowledge-based platform that could lead to the development of hybrid abalone possessing resistance traits and/or to the development of immunotherapeutic molecules that could protect Australian abalone species. This investment will use RT-PCR and mRNA sequencing to determine the genes expressed and expression profiles in paua and Australian hybrid abalone upon HaHV immersion challenge.