Why mucosal health?

The mucosal surfaces provide the aquatic organisms the indispensable first line of defense against the constant threats present in the immediate environment. Despite having various physiological functions, all mucosal tissues share a commonality in their structures at the microanatomic level, most notably the presence of an organised epithelial surface with supporting stromal tissues or lamina propria, vasculature, musculature, and resident immune cells.

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The mucosal surfaces are often considered “the biological sensors” of aquatic organisms. They can provide significant information about the physiological status of the host and the conditions of the rearing environment. In the last 15 years, intense research has been dedicated to understand the physiology and immunology of mucosal surfaces. We have made some significant strides in understanding the different components of the mucosal surfaces - their organisations and functions,  and on how they are regulated by different external factors. These discoveries have been pivotal in elevating mucosal health as a notable theme in aquaculture research. The burgeoning number of published papers on mucosal health supports the high regard of the scientific community to this field. The results from these studies provide the strong link between mucosal health and organismal health, resulting in the development of several strategies targeting the mucosal surfaces for improved health and welfare.