Deciphering the molecular mechanisms of oyster resistance to Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS) disease induced by high temperatures

Climate change and rising temperatures are frequently cited as key factors in the emergence of diseases. While the increase in temperature can alter host immunity, influence pathogen virulence, and change the geographic distribution of vectors and their associated pathogens, few studies have investigated the impact of temperature variations on the molecular mechanisms controlling disease permissiveness. The present study addresses this question on a panzootic and polymicrobial disease, the Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS). POMS, initiated by the herpesvirus OsHV-1 μVar, affects juveniles of Magallana gigas, which is the most widely cultured oyster species in the world. In our study, two full-sib families were exposed to the disease under permissive (23 °C) and non-permissive (30 °C) conditions. Using an integrative multi-omics approach, we demonstrate that high temperature has a dual effect on oysters (1) inducing a metabolic reprogramming, creating a sub-optimal metabolic environment for viral infection and thereby limiting POMS development, and (2) enhancing the host's antiviral immune capabilities, both at a baseline level and in response to infection. Overall, these responses triggered at elevated temperature improve oyster survival against POMS. Our study showed that temperature exerts complex effects on host-pathogen interactions; and molecular-level mechanistic approaches are crucial to thoroughly understand and accurately assess how temperature changes can influence epidemiological risk.

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Publication Details

Journal
The Science of The Total Environment
Published
2025-07-16
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180026
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
2.21

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article

Deciphering the molecular mechanisms of oyster resistance to Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS) disease induced by high temperatures

Lionel Dégremont, Arnaud Lagorce, Julien de Lorgeril, A. Valdivieso et al.
2 citations
The Science of The Total Environment
Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies
2.21
article

Deciphering the molecular mechanisms of oyster resistance to Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS) disease induced by high temperatures

Lionel Dégremont, Arnaud Lagorce, Julien de Lorgeril, A. Valdivieso, Lizenn Delisle, Emily Kunselman, Guillaume Mitta, Ève Toulza, Cristián J. Monaco, Juliette Pouzadoux, Jean‐François Allienne, Océane Romatif, Bruno Petton, Fabrice Pernet, Léo Duperret, Benjamín Morga, Nicole Faury, Jérémie Vidal‐Dupiol, Gaëlle Courtay
article en
2 citations

Abstract

Climate change and rising temperatures are frequently cited as key factors in the emergence of diseases. While the increase in temperature can alter host immunity, influence pathogen virulence, and change the geographic distribution of vectors and their associated pathogens, few studies have investigated the impact of temperature variations on the molecular mechanisms controlling disease permissiveness. The present study addresses this question on a panzootic and polymicrobial disease, the Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS). POMS, initiated by the herpesvirus OsHV-1 μVar, affects juveniles of Magallana gigas, which is the most widely cultured oyster species in the world. In our study, two full-sib families were exposed to the disease under permissive (23 °C) and non-permissive (30 °C) conditions. Using an integrative multi-omics approach, we demonstrate that high temperature has a dual effect on oysters (1) inducing a metabolic reprogramming, creating a sub-optimal metabolic environment for viral infection and thereby limiting POMS development, and (2) enhancing the host's antiviral immune capabilities, both at a baseline level and in response to infection. Overall, these responses triggered at elevated temperature improve oyster survival against POMS. Our study showed that temperature exerts complex effects on host-pathogen interactions; and molecular-level mechanistic approaches are crucial to thoroughly understand and accurately assess how temperature changes can influence epidemiological risk.

The Science of The Total EnvironmentVol. 994
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), Scripps Institution of Oceanography (US), Université de Perpignan (FR), Ifremer (FR), Université de Bretagne Occidentale (FR), Université de Montpellier (FR), University of California San Diego (US), Labex Corail (FR), Écologie Marine Tropicale des Océans Pacifique et Indien (RE), Institut Louis Malardé (PF), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (FR), Cawthron Institute (NZ), University of French Polynesia (PF)
Laboratoire d'Excellence TULIP, Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Labex
Life below water
Openalex Percentile: Top 12%
Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies
2.21
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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