Protective immunity induced by ankyrin repeat-containing protein-based DNA vaccine against rock bream iridovirus (RBIV) in rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus)

•ANK-based DNA vaccine induced a protective immunity in RBIV-infected rock bream.•ANK gene expression displayed a correlation with fish mortality.•TLR3, TLR9, MyD88, Mx, ISG15, PKR, MHC class I, perforin, Fas, Fas ligand and caspases were highly expressed in ANK-based vaccinated group.•IL1β, IL8 and TNFα were not enhanced in ANK-based vaccinated group.