Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses reveal the potential mechanisms underlying sex- and size-dependent resistance to Vibrio alginolyticus infection in the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis)

Abstract

In this study, we performed an integrative analysis of transcriptomic and metabolomic data to systematically investigate the influence of two key phenotypic factors—sex and body size—on the resistance of Eriocheir sinensis (Chinese mitten crab) to Vibrio alginolyticus infection. Our findings revealed that sex exerts a substantially greater impact on bacterial resistance than body size. Among the four phenotypic groups, large-sized females exhibited the strongest resistance, followed by small-sized females, large-sized males, and small-sized males, indicating a clear trend of “females > males” and “large size > small size” in resistance capacity.

Multi-omics analyses further uncovered the molecular basis underlying these phenotypic differences. At the transcriptomic level, female crabs exhibited significantly higher activation of immune-related pathways, including endocytosis, immune signaling, cytoskeletal regulation, and apoptosis, suggesting a stronger innate immune response compared to males. At the metabolomic level, large-sized individuals showed enhanced energy metabolic pathways, potentially providing the energetic support required to sustain robust immune responses.Moreover, this study is the first to comprehensively characterize the endocytic pathway utilized by E. sinensis in response to Vibrio challenge, including pathogen recognition and endocytic initiation, endosomal transport and maturation, and lysosomal degradation. Notably, the regulation of endocytic immune responses was also found to be more strongly influenced by sex than by body size.

In summary, this study provides a systems-level understanding of how sex and body size collaboratively modulate the immune resistance of E. sinensis to Vibrio infection, offering valuable insights and molecular markers for disease-resistant breeding and precision aquaculture management in crustaceans.