Abstract
The biological ability to identify a threat, create an immune response to prevent and stop infection, and remember this response for future exposures is known as adaptive immunity. The antibody response, through which B-cells produce proteins to identify possibly foreign or pathogenic structures, is mediated through several genetic mechanisms, including VDJ recombination. This study utilized hapten-immunized rainbow trout, fluorescence assisted cell sorting, and 5' RACE PCR (rapid amplification of cDNA ends polymerase chain reaction) to characterize the genetic (VDJ) hallmarks of this hapten response. These experiments demonstrated that the response to the hapten, TNP, was most commonly comprised of 24identifiable VDJ combinations. These data were then used to monitor the hapten response as the antibody repertoire shifted in composition over time in response to immunization. The evidence provided here of the ability of rainbow trout to mount a restricted, public antibody response can inform future studies and sustainable aquaculture technology.