Abstract:

The innate immune system serves as the primary defence mechanism in invertebrates and lower vertebrates, such as fish, due to the limited capacity of their adaptive immune response. Beyond its primary protective role, the innate immune system also plays a crucial role in shaping adaptive immunity. Ghrelin is originally known as an orexigenic hormone that stimulates appetite and growth hormone secretion through the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R). However, accumulating studies have revealed that ghrelin is a key regulator of various physiological processes including glucose homeostasis, reproduction, cell proliferation, cardiovascular function and inflammatory responses. In non-mammalian vertebrates such as fish, ghrelin and its receptor are detected in immune cells such as T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils. Ghrelin also regulates nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signalling, a key inflammatory signal, across species. Despite its emerging significance, the role of ghrelin in immune regulation remains fragmented and underexplored, particularly in fish. This review consolidates recent research on the function of ghrelin in the fish immune system, focusing on the ghrelin-GHS-R1α axis. By providing an organised overview of current findings, this article aims to highlight the role of ghrelin in fish immunity and proposes novel directions for future research in this area.

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Date 2026/09/30

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