{
  "abstract": "Cytotoxic injury to gill epithelial cells is a major consequence of pathogen infection and can compromise barrier function in aquaculture species. Edwardsiella tarda is an important bacterial pathogen in aquaculture. Infection of gill epithelial cells can damage barrier integrity, induce cytotoxicity, and trigger oxidative and inflammatory stress responses. This study evaluated whether AuraAqua (Aq), an organic acid-based antimicrobial mixture, protects RTgill-W1 cells from E. tarda-induced cytotoxicity and the associated inflammatory and oxidative stress responses. Aq showed a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1% and a minimum bactericidal concentration of 2%. Aq treatment reduced E. tarda adhesion and intracellular bacterial recovery, indicating impaired early host-pathogen interactions. Importantly, Aq was not directly cytotoxic to RTgill-W1 cells at the tested concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1 and 2%) and reduced infection-associated LDH release while preserving cell viability and transepithelial electrical resistance. These outcomes were accompanied by increased expression of tight-junction-associated genes, including cldn-10e, cldn-30, and zo-1. During infection, Aq enhanced intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels, reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, decreased H2O2 accumulation, and decreased NF-κB p65 activation. Aq also significantly downregulated IL-8, IL-1β, and TNF-α expression in infected cells. Together, these findings show that Aq can stimulate increased endogenous GSH production, which primarily protects RTgill-W1 cells and limits E. tarda-induced cytotoxic injury. This strengthens antioxidant defence, maintains epithelial barrier integrity, and suppresses NF-κB-associated inflammatory signalling.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, University of Life Sciences King Mihai I from Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania",
    "Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom",
    "Faculty of Management and Rural Tourism, University of Life Sciences King Mihai I from Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania",
    "Centre for Modeling Biological Systems and Data Analysis “Victor Babes”, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania",
    "Faculty of Food Engineering, University of Life Sciences King Mihai I from Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania",
    "Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom",
    "Academy of Romanian Scientists, Bucharest, Romania"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 11,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Igori Balta"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Ioan Pet"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Lavinia Stef"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Ozan Gundogdu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Florica Morariu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Elena Pet"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Iuliana Cretescu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Ducu Stef"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Nicolae Corcionivoschi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5
      ],
      "name": "Nicolae Corcionivoschi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        6
      ],
      "name": "Nicolae Corcionivoschi"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/c4brkjr2dh86p.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fcimb.2026.2008102",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2026.2008102/full",
  "id": "c4brkjr2dh86p",
  "issns": [
    "2235-2988"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2026.2008102",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "lcc",
      "QR1-502"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2403|Aquaculture disease management and microbiota"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223677804",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2026.2008102/pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-26",
  "publisher": "Frontiers Media S.A.",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/c4brkjr2dh86p.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T13:47:23Z",
      "native_id": "beb3c0b4e11d4c809e5be4c4eaea6aea",
      "source": "doaj",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2026.2008102"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "openalex:2403|Aquaculture disease management and microbiota",
      "subfield": "immunology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Glutathione-linked antioxidant defence limits Edwardsiella tarda-induced cytotoxicity in organic acid-treated gill epithelial cells",
  "title_text": "Glutathione-linked antioxidant defence limits Edwardsiella tarda-induced cytotoxicity in organic acid-treated gill epithelial cells",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T13:47:23Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/c4brkjr2dh86p",
  "venue": "Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology",
  "versions": []
}