Structural and functional diversity of lectins associated with immunity in the marine shrimp Litopenaeusvannamei.

Lectins are important pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and their immunological action is related to the recognition of glycans present in the pathogen cells surface. The lectins described for Litopenaeus vannamei are divided into C-type, L-type and galectin, which are mainly expressed in hepatopancreas and hemocytes. They are involved in several immune response pathways, such as phagocytosis, hemocytes recruitment, prophenoloxidase activation, and gene regulation. Although lectins have multiple immune functions, most experimental challenges focus only on WSSV and Vibrio sp. This article is a detailed review on the role of lectins in L. vannamei immune system, bringing together information on molecular structure, temporal and special expression and immune function, highlighting the wide participation of these molecules in shrimp innate immune system. • All known Litopenaeus vannamei lectins can be classified into three categories. • L. vannamei lectins are mainly expressed in hepatopancreas, gills and hemolymph. • Many L. vannamei lectins are upregulated after pathogen challenges. • L. vannamei lectins are involved in several immune pathways. • L. vannamei lectins are involved in response against bacteria and viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]