Development and characterisation of a novel cell line derived from coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) is an important salmonid species differing from other salmonids in its tolerance and response to pathogens endemic to the aquaculture industry, such as infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) and infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV). Consequently, coho salmon has become a subject of increased scientific interest to investigate the underlying genetic mechanisms behind these and other host-pathogen interactions. Currently, most research studying coho salmon has been conducted using live animal models as there have been few in vitro tools readily available. Here, we present the first cell line from an adult coho salmon, Coho Salmon Fibroblast-Like 1 Norway-Canada (CSFL-1NC) and its preliminary characterisation. CSFL-1NC is a homogenous, spontaneously immortalised cell line from the pectoral fin of a wild adult coho salmon, with a consistent and stable fibroblastic morphology. The cell line has a relatively stable transcriptome across several passages, with high expression of key fibroblastic marker genes, displays rapid migration, and can be genetically manipulated both by transfection and transduction with varying efficiency using plasmids, lentivirus, and/or CRISPR methodology. Virus challenges show clear susceptibility to IPNV as evidenced by cytopathic effects and efficient viral replication, yet it shows little to no response when exposed to ISAV (HPRD).