Advanced Mucosal Immunity, Barrier Health, and Environmental Resilience in Sustainable Aquaculture

Mucosal and epithelial surfaces act as the primary defensive barriers against pathogens and environmental stressors in aquatic organisms. In finfish, barriers such as the skin, gills, and gastrointestinal tract coordinate complex innate and mucosal adaptive responses, driven by mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues (MALTs) and immunoglobulin T (IgT). In invertebrates (molluscs and crustaceans), mucosal surface integrity and mucosal immunity rely on specialized epithelial defenses, hemocyte-mediated responses, pattern recognition receptors, and antimicrobial peptides. Rapid intensification of global aquaculture, coupled with fluctuating environmental conditions, has heightened disease risks, making the preservation and enhancement of these frontline defenses an urgent industry priority.This Research Topic addresses the bridge between fundamental mucosal immunology and practical health management in aquaculture. It seeks to clarify the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating mucosal barriers under pathogen challenge and environmental stress (e.g., water quality, temperature shifts, hypoxia, and ocean acidification). Recent advances in single-cell transcriptomics, spatial omics, and integrated multi-omics offer high-resolution insight into these host-microbe-environment interactions across species. By leveraging these technologies, this collection aims to accelerate the translation of basic research into practical health strategies, including precision vaccines, novel adjuvants, functional feed additives, and targeted oral or immersion delivery systems.We invite original research, reviews, mini-reviews, methods, and perspective articles focusing on mucosal immunity and barrier health in farmed aquatic species.Relevant themes include, but are not limited to:- Functional dynamics of MALT, IgT, and adaptive mucosal immunity in finfish.- Epithelial and mucosal innate immune responses, PRRs, and antimicrobial peptides in invertebrates (molluscs and crustaceans).- Impact of environmental stressors (e.g., temperature, salinity, water quality, pollutants) on mucosal barrier integrity and disease susceptibility.- High-resolution profiling of mucosal barriers using single-cell, spatial, and integrated multi-omic approaches.- Applied interventions for mucosal protection, including oral and immersion vaccines, precision adjuvants, and targeted delivery technologies.- Crosstalk between nutrition, functional feeds, microbiome dynamics, and mucosal health.All submissions must align with the section’s focus on improving health management, disease prevention, and environmental resilience in sustainable aquaculture. Topic editors: ARUP MISTRI, Devarajan Thangadurai Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83888/advanced-mucosal-immunity-barrier-health-and-environmental-resilience-in-sustainable-aquaculture