Oxidative Stress as a Double-Edged Sword in Invertebrate Resistance to WSSV: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Therapeutic Strategies.

Abstract

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) inflicts severe economic losses on global aquaculture and poses a grave threat to the farming of shrimp, crabs, and other invertebrates. This review synthesizes the molecular pathways through which WSSV infection induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the host; examines the dual role of oxidative stress, wherein moderate ROS contribute to antiviral defense while excessive ROS drive oxidative injury; and, drawing on the threshold effect concept established in mammalian studies, evaluates its applicability and limitations as a working hypothesis in invertebrate WSSV infection models. We consolidate the relatively well-characterized oxidative stress response pathways in penaeid shrimp and, based on the limited evidence available, explore potential differences in crabs, mollusks, and other taxa-highlighting the near absence of research on non-shrimp groups. We further identify key challenges and controversies in the field, including incomplete elucidation of signaling pathways, the disconnect between experimental conditions and aquaculture environments, and pronounced species imbalance in research coverage. Finally, we prospect future research directions encompassing multi-omics dissection of molecular networks, application of antioxidants and ferroptosis modulators, and selective breeding for disease-resistant stocks, thereby providing a reference framework for antiviral research and disease management in aquaculture.